Larsson98

Hey all. ‘98 Jeep Cherokee classic XJ here. I’ve replaced the alternator about a week ago and charged the battery up to full. Recently cleaned all ground connections. Title. Every 10th try or so it’ll make a grinding noise, and when that happens I shut it off really fast.

Starter was replaced about 2 years ago. Recently replaced distributor cap. It’s a 3 year old battery, so I attempted to jump the battery while cranking to make sure it wasn’t a weak battery issue. I can hear the fuel pump starting when I turn on the vehicle, but pressing the gas pedal while cranking does nothing. Nearing my wits end here. I’m suspecting I may need to replace spark plugs/wires and maybe the distributor. I don’t think it’s a fuel pump problem but haven’t been able to test the pressure accurately. I just know there’s pressure and the injectors are all working.

Anecdotal and mechanics insight appreciated here. Thanks in advance.

Larsson98

Here’s a video of me trying to start it. I have nothing. No ideas.

aa7kn

I had the same problem in my 91XJ. Have you pulled a spark plug out and held it close to the crank case while someone cranks over the motor, to check if you have spark. If you do not, it might be a crank position sensor. That's where the spark starts at. The CPS tells the computer it is time to start, when the computer feels the signal from the CPS, it sends a spark command to the coil, and the coil fires in the distributor cap to fire the plugs. You said you hear the fuel pump, so it is not a fuel pump relay. It could also be the ASD(Auto Shutdown Relay). It is a safety thing to shut down the motor in case of a roll over. So check for spark, pull the fuel line(s) off and turn on the key to see if gas squirts out, remember, you need fuel, spark and air for a motor to run. Hope this gives you some ideas, and things to check.
Good luck.