98 cherokee wont fire

98Chero · #1 (**permalink**) 07-30-2006, 02:36 PM

I'll post a welcome later :)

My Story

Well I returned home last week from a long trip in my 98 chero 2.5 liter 2dr sport, DOM 10/97, white body with a black steering wheel

. last weekend I went to move it and it was hard starting but started. I moved it out of the way so I could mow. later I came back to move it back and Nada no starting not even a hit??? took the coil pack and got it tested(OK) bought and installed the crankshaft sensor(still no fire) plug wires had 4 ohms each. so I put on a cap and rotor (still no fire) checked to see if voltage was coming into the Dist (Yep) not sure, it was like 5 volts and another lead was 9 volts. took out the sensor under the rotor and it must have a diode in it because it would read 52 ohms to 17 ohms depending on which way you put the leads. then you could reverse the leads and get OpenLine OK. Ummm Lets See looked around for abvious rat/mouse damage (if there was, it wasnt obvious). something odd did happen while I was on my trip tho. after fueling I noticed as I was going down the road the fuel gauge went to empty. thinking it might be a major malfuntion I pulled over and turned the engine off and checked for fuel leaks (none found) turned the engine back on and never had that trouble again. I hope I have provided you with enough info so you can tell me what might be my next step.

98Chero aka Mike

Bounty__Hunter · #2 (**permalink**) 07-30-2006, 03:49 PM

What do you mean by 'hard starting'?

Also check all the fuses and mini-fuses, under the dash and in the PDC under the hood. Possibly the circuit for the ASD relay blew a fuse.

When the fuel guage went empty, did all the guages die and the airbag light come on?

98Chero · #3 (**permalink**) 07-31-2006, 01:57 AM

" hard starting"? the engine turned over many times before it started (not normal)

will I did find a 15 amp mini fuse blown but I replaced it and Nada Nothing. when the fuel gauge went on the blink I didnt notice any other warning lights.
I havnt looked under the dash yet for a fuse box, I thought that they where all in the engine compartment? I will check that.

Thanks

98Chero

KrazyJeeper · #4 (**permalink**) 07-31-2006, 03:05 AM

I have a 98 Cherokee also, but never had problems to that extreme, I do have starting probs, but I think I am used to my TJ and choke it too much. I am thinking also a plug issue, but not sure. I hope you find the problem, post it in case my XJ is acquiring the same issue. Thanks, KJ

Bounty__Hunter · #5 (**permalink**) 07-31-2006, 08:16 AM

Choke it? Whatever do you mean?

dropseys · #6 (**permalink**) 07-31-2006, 09:04 AM

I went through that with my '96 XJ and it turned out to be a bad furl pump, twice in 2 years. Yuck. I replaced all the cheap stuff first and finally came across fuel pump. Its a pain in the arse. BY the way... anyone ever done an in-line external fuel pump conversion?

98Chero · #7 (**permalink**) 07-31-2006, 10:20 AM

Nope its not a fuel issue, I can spray starting fluid in the hose coming from the air cleaner to the intake manifold and still Nothing!
And I have had my SO turn the engine over while I watch for the spark on the plugs.

I'm afraid to say it but to fix it, it might be the C word

before I replace the computor is there any other tests I can do?

I would put a bunch of these in it

and push it off in the river before I would take it to my local dealership

98Chero

90Xjay · #8 (**permalink**) 07-31-2006, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dropseys

I went through that with my '96 XJ and it turned out to be a bad furl pump

Yeah, I had to place the furl pump in my burick once

98Chero · #9 (**permalink**) 08-02-2006, 09:54 AM

Well I shouldn't have disc the Dealership because thats where I was on monday. I talked with John a friend of mine in the repair/service area and he loaned me a really cool manual from the Chrysler Corp titled 1998 Powertrain Diagnostic Procedures. so thats what I'm doing right now, and if If I find the problem I will come back and post what it was so maybe others can learn. being a mechanic myself, I am curious what this problem is?? well I did ask John where the furl pump was located, and he said it was next to the Sky Hook or the 1/2 inch puddy, possibly near the board stretcher

98Chero

98Chero · #10 (**permalink**) 08-03-2006, 08:16 AM

Step by Step
1. remove plug wire and check to see if it fires through a tester/plug.
2. Check all the plug wires and primary wire with Ohm meter. replace wires with 15 ohms are higher.
3. remove Dist Cap and make sure your rotor turns when starting engine.
4. use tester/plug on primary wire from coil to see if you get spark when turning the engine over.
5. test coil, these have specific ohms readings, but you can have it tested at a autoparts store also.
6. test for 10 volts or more coming to your coil from ASD wire.

Bingo!
no volts getting to coil
7. test ASD connections/splices/relay
so I replaced ASD relay that was in the fuse box in the engine compartment.
then I put everything back together and it Started!!!
8. take manual back to dealer.
so I drove my 98Chero to the dealership and thanked John for his time.
Why did the relay go out????

still not sure, but my blower motor for the A/C dosnt work now???
maybe thats where the trouble started from all along???

Good Day

Mike