Power Mystery 1997 XJ
03-14-2023, 11:14 AM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Power Mystery 1997 XJ
Hello,
I'm hoping someone on this forum has our answer. We bought a 97 Cherokee for our daughter. My husband changed all the fluids, new sway bars, back brakes, battery, and spark plugs. It had a rough idle in park still but drove fine while we took it to get inspected, new tires, and alignment. I took it out to go to the grocery store and I didn't get out of our neighborhood when the engine started sounding like it was struggling. While trying to figure this out along with the rough idle we replaced all 5 sensors, timing chain, distributor, rods and rocker arms, and head gasket. We put it all back together started it up and smoke started to come from the engine - no oil pressure. We immediatley turned it off and took off the distributor and primed the pump and that fixed the oil pressure issue but now it will crank but won't start. We've since replaced the starter and alternator, tested for fuel pressure at the fuel rail (good), tested for spark on the first spark plug (good) and reinstalled the distributor just to make sure it was installed correctly. The mystery is the battery will read 12 volts with a volt meter on it but once you start cranking it the meter drops to 10 volts. We thought it was the alternator but no. What could this be attributed to? Tonight we're going to check the 5 grounding wires but at a loss with what to do next. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
I'm hoping someone on this forum has our answer. We bought a 97 Cherokee for our daughter. My husband changed all the fluids, new sway bars, back brakes, battery, and spark plugs. It had a rough idle in park still but drove fine while we took it to get inspected, new tires, and alignment. I took it out to go to the grocery store and I didn't get out of our neighborhood when the engine started sounding like it was struggling. While trying to figure this out along with the rough idle we replaced all 5 sensors, timing chain, distributor, rods and rocker arms, and head gasket. We put it all back together started it up and smoke started to come from the engine - no oil pressure. We immediatley turned it off and took off the distributor and primed the pump and that fixed the oil pressure issue but now it will crank but won't start. We've since replaced the starter and alternator, tested for fuel pressure at the fuel rail (good), tested for spark on the first spark plug (good) and reinstalled the distributor just to make sure it was installed correctly. The mystery is the battery will read 12 volts with a volt meter on it but once you start cranking it the meter drops to 10 volts. We thought it was the alternator but no. What could this be attributed to? Tonight we're going to check the 5 grounding wires but at a loss with what to do next. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
03-14-2023, 01:38 PM
#2
Senior Member
There is a lot going on with that first post!
I will only address the question about the battery. If it shows 12.0 volts at rest and drops to 10.0 volts under load, it will be either undercharged or have a dead cell. At rest a 12 volt battery should be in the high 12 volt range and if it drops 3 or more volts under load it probably has a dead cell.
You could pull it and bring it to any of the major auto parts stores and they will be able to test it for you. Then you will know for sure!
I will only address the question about the battery. If it shows 12.0 volts at rest and drops to 10.0 volts under load, it will be either undercharged or have a dead cell. At rest a 12 volt battery should be in the high 12 volt range and if it drops 3 or more volts under load it probably has a dead cell.
You could pull it and bring it to any of the major auto parts stores and they will be able to test it for you. Then you will know for sure!
03-14-2023, 01:51 PM
#3
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is a lot going on with that first post!
I will only address the question about the battery. If it shows 12.0 volts at rest and drops to 10.0 volts under load, it will be either undercharged or have a dead cell. At rest a 12 volt battery should be in the high 12 volt range and if it drops 3 or more volts under load it probably has a dead cell.
You could pull it and bring it to any of the major auto parts stores and they will be able to test it for you. Then you will know for sure!
I will only address the question about the battery. If it shows 12.0 volts at rest and drops to 10.0 volts under load, it will be either undercharged or have a dead cell. At rest a 12 volt battery should be in the high 12 volt range and if it drops 3 or more volts under load it probably has a dead cell.
You could pull it and bring it to any of the major auto parts stores and they will be able to test it for you. Then you will know for sure!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Adam Rogers
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
5
12-17-2020 10:33 AM
Bullstang360
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
19
03-30-2016 01:03 PM
Topazwoods
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
11
01-02-2013 07:14 PM
semperfi1371
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
15
06-20-2011 02:09 PM
goblinish15
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
63
11-28-2010 10:13 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)