1996 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4.0L, 6 cylinder, automatic, RWD, 233,401 miles.
Greetings, Scotty: I’ve had several issues with my Cherokee over the past 4 weeks and I’m completely at a loss right now.
First, she would crank forever but not start. Battery, alt, and starter are good, fuses and relays looked fine. Used a scan tool which pinpointed the IAC so I swapped that out and replaced the air filter. Started up fine but idling rough and way too high.
About a week ago it became hard to start when cold. Took 2 or 3 turns of the key to start, then started fine after driving her around for a bit. Figured it needed a tune-up. I replaced the spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap, rotor, AND cam sensor. Still won't start.
Today, it just turns over very briefly then dies. Used a scan tool again and I get 3 flashing red LED’s (cat sensor; O2 sensor; O2 sensor heater, or heated O2 sensor?), but no DTC’s.
Not sure what to look into next. Ignition coil? Crank sensor?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Julio / Noodlz
Please disregard - And sorry for wasting your time. I figured out why she wouldn't start (and I also figured out that I'm a freakin' idiot). The wire from the distributor cap to the ignition coil was not connected securely. I pushed it till it clicked, and she fired up right away. 😆
UPDATE: After I got her to start again, I burped the cooling system since I had recently deleted the Heater Control Valve and replaced the heater hoses. She ran fine while burping the system, then when I put her in reverse to take for a test drive, as soon as I touched the gas pedal, she stalled. Never started again. After so many weeks of cranking but barely driving it, I killed the battery. Around this time, I started getting DTC P0340 (No signal to cam sensor). Replaced the battery and again, crank / no start. Replaced the crank sensor and again, crank / no start. Tested for spark and realized I'm not getting spark from the ignition coil to the distributor cap. Thought it was my ASD Relay, but that's working. Finally took it to the shop and they said my ECM is fried. Something somewhere along the wiring is shorting out or something, they weren't very clear. Not sure what to do next.
Compression test.
