Help .... looking for new ideas to get a Cherokee started

SolarisJon · Post by **SolarisJon** » Tue Jun 29, 2021 7:11 pm

I have been working with my son on a 1995 Jeep Cherokee (4.0L) that cranks but won't start.

So some background the passenger side motor mount sheered breaking the distributor.

So far we have replaced

Distributor
Spark Plugs and Leads
Crankshaft sensor
Camshaft sensor
MAP sensor
ASD Relay
PCM
Injectors
One of the injector connectors
Coil
Starter

The car cranks ok but does not fire. Compression on all cylinders is around 120, fuel pressure is good and we have spark.
Checked all the fuses in the PDC.

I suspect the timing. If we pull the distributor and place it back in without the pin in we can get it started but its rough, yet I thought all the timing was set on the PCM with the distributor pin in the first hole.
We checked TDC and that looks good Cyl 1 top with the markings in the right place etc.

Starting to look through wiring diagrams incase anything caught my eye but thought I'd ask here for any ideas as I an running out of them.

Anything special with replacing the distributor ? We removed the old one set the engine on TDC , set the oil pump to about 11 o'clock the distributor dropped in ok rotated clockwise on the gears and the mounting lug lined up without issue.

thanks Jon

cheepin · Post by **cheepin** » Mon Jul 05, 2021 8:54 am

Have you checked fuel pressure?

SolarisJon · Post by **SolarisJon** » Mon Jul 05, 2021 1:57 pm

cheepin wrote:Have you checked fuel pressure?

Yes fuel pressure checks out ok.

SamFromCO · Post by **SamFromCO** » Thu Jul 08, 2021 9:22 am

If you have spark and gas and it won't fire then I would suspect timing. Is it possible that the timing chain has slipped? Would it fire before you replaced the distributor? Is it possible that the distributor is 180° off? That's my initial thoughts.

shotgunchris · Post by **shotgunchris** » Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:20 am

Are you 100% positive Cylinder 1 was at TDC when you installed the new distributor?

Did you feel pressure building with your finger over the spark plug hole?

You may have been off a full turn, when you installed the distributor?

Wulf · Post by **Wulf** » Thu Jul 08, 2021 3:09 pm

Cam and Crank sensor, they are new... Are you sure they are good?

I had a Borg and Warner cam sensor that was junk new right out of the box for my Ford. I called my mechanic telling I had a CPS code and replaced the sensor with no luck. No code but no start. he told me to take it back and try an OEM sensor before I towed it to him.

He was right

greenramp · Post by **greenramp** » Sat Jul 10, 2021 5:59 am

grounds check all grounds. Had one that wouldnt start and found it to be the ground from the firewall to the block. Checked it several times to no avail. Replaced it and it started right up. I think i even have some spare webbed grounds if you need them.