Hi everyone, I've been battling my '00 XJ since last summer. A few weeks ago I got it running flawlessly after putting in a new ECM and injectors. It was running great for a couple weeks until the other day the ASD relay started buzzing so I put a new one in, which turned the buzzing into a clicking sound and also made the fan run when they key is in the ON position... old relay didn't do that. She still ran good though!

Yesterday I was swapping both wheel hubs and axle u-joints, everything went smoothly and I finished the night off with an oil change. While busting off a really stuck oil filter I dropped a wrench next to the filter adapter and it caused a large spark which made the engine crank and the fan turn briefly.

Flash forward to this morning where I'm greeted with the jeep throwing code P1694. Google says that could be a lot of things. So I take it for a 20 minute drive and eventually the light goes off.

I stopped for gas and went to start it after filling up and it just cranks and cranks. None of the gauges worked, but the radio, lights, horn etc were fine. Pushed it into the shade and let it cool down for about an hour while checking things out. Keeps throwing P1694 and 'no bus'. Eventually I decided to get a ride to get my truck to pull it home. I get back to the jeep and try it to start it and she fires right up on the first crank! Go figure.

Thinking maybe its something to do with the hot temp after driving? A lot of weird symptoms and I'm horrible with electrical. Hoping this isn't because of the new ECM I paid an arm and a leg for... Did I short something when that wrench sparked? Going to clean my grounds and check wiring out. Googling says maybe the CPS, but I'm wondering if any of you folks have any ideas? Thank you very much

 

Sounds like spark was your wrench hitting the starter, which is right below the filter adapter. The rest someone else will have to answer

 

A P1964 can be a couple of things.
Failed Crank Position Sensor
CCD Bus (-) circuit open between PCM and TCM.
CCD Bus (+) circuit open between PCM and TCM.
Transmission CCD bus wiring damaged.
Faulty TCM.

Based on your symptoms, it would point to a crank position sensor. Their failure mode is to stop working when hot and then work fine when cooled down.

Dropping a wrench on the starter shouldn't cause this effect.

If it starts and runs, I'd let it warm up and see if it shuts off or won't start after it is fully up to temp. If you do replace the CPS, don't get the cheap ones form the local auto store. Go MOPAR original or echlin from NAPA.

If you do some googling, you should find a test procedure for the CPS when you have the no start condition.

 

Thanks guys. Could I have caused any damage to the starter from that spark? I'll test the CPS tonight.

 

Not likely. Starters are pretty simple machines, and built to handle lots of current.