87 jeep cherokee with the straight 6. i originally had a stalling issue a while back and have since replaced the TPS, IAC, spark plugs,wires,fuel filter,air filter, and the cause of the stalling ended up being the crankshaft posistion sensor. since then i have given the jeep to my wifes sister and it has driven fine for a bit over 6 months until the other day when it did not want to start for her. in looking at it there is no corrosion on any of the wires,plugs, rotor or inside the cap. the plugs smell like gas since it is just turning over and i am finding it has a really low spark. i also did find some moisture of some sort on the inside bottom of the distributor. i have no clue what its from. decided to replace the coil for her and still get a low spark... i dont know where to start next. all help greatly appreciated!!

 

If theres a strange fluid in the distributor chances are it's cooked. theres a sensor in there that likes to melt and becomes a liquid. I wanna say its a cam sensor but don't remember the name exactly. other than that, check the voltage goin into the coil. low in, low out. My money is on distributor though.

 

anyone know what sensor this is? and if it deals with distrbuting spark?

 

I've seen some pretty disgustingly bad ground straps/cables on jeeps...

Also I think it's the CPS in the distributor on my 96, not sure if it's the same on yours. I think if that goes bad it results in a no-start. Don't know if it can be half-toast and only partially work or not?

 

The ICM (ignition control module) under the coil is in play here for an 87-90. Not sure if parts stores can check this or not as you do need specialized equipment, but I would make some calls to see if they can.

 

its called a sync sensor or cam sensor, it is replaceable with out replaceing the housing, the crank position sensor should also be checked

 

Iknew someone would know the name of that darn sensor.

 

thanks for the responses!!! i will go check the icm today. anyone have a link on how to get to the cam sensor? i have read people saying its easier to just replace entire distributor but not my jeep and not my money being spent so id like to get to it and check it out. thanks again everyone!!!

 

also does anyone know if the icm has been known to be able to be just cleaned up or something. finding its about $100 to replace

 

No CPR on an ICM, other than being sure all electrical contacts are clean. If it fails testing, replace it. I'd test it though before shelling out the hundred clams.

 

dont want to be one of those posts that someone was nice enough to not leave what the fix was. im still not sure if coil was at fault at all but we cleaned up the connections for the coil on the icm and bent the metal connectors out a little more so it made more of a connection with the coil and it fired right up and more than once. so as of now the jeep is back up and running and hopefully for a good long time. THANKS EVERYONE!!!!!