98 5.2L Grand Wont Start

[jdttjeep]

I've seen bits and pieces of these problems on other threads but could not find a definative answer. I have a 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.2L that I was driving and died as I pulled in the garage. I thought it was out of gas but turns out I am getting no spark and the gages went to zero. I tried to start it (even jumped). The motor spins like crazy but nothing. Tried starting fluid - nothing. Checked spark - nothing. I believe I hear a soft hum in the fuel tank. I read about the Crankshaft Position Sensor. I pulled it out for replacement. I noticed when it was out, that the gauges are still zero when I crank it. The check engine light does not stay on. I dont have a code checker but can borrow one. Prior to its death, it ran great - maybe an occasional stumble at speed but I attributed it to it being an old Jeep with 160,000 miles (maybe something was going). Any ideas please????

[dksob81]

well you could have a bad Ignition Coil. Did you check for spark at the coil, distributor cap or spark plugs?

[jdttjeep]

Checked it at the spark plug. Thanks for the idea. I will check it monday

[jdttjeep]

Update: I borrowed a code tester which led me to the fact that the tester was seeing no power. Rechecked fuses. Long story short. There is an unidentified 20 amp mini fuse in the engine compartment fuse box that was blown. Changed it - the gauges came back on. Reinstalled the same Crank Position Sensor and the Jeep started. It runs like crap though but at least it is running. It is missing bad. And the fuse blows on occasion but now I know exactly what to do. The code tester says I have multiple misfirings. Thats all for tonight. At least I am mobile.

[jdttjeep]

OK, my Jeep is fine. Summary of the fix. (1) After I got it running again and it was running VERY rough = to get the crank position sensor out, I loosened the ground wire over the distributor. Upon pulling up the ground wire, it popped a plug wire off of the distributor. The code tester showed the exact cylinder that was out. Stuck it back on = ran great. (2) Gauges went to zero = mystery 20 amp fuse in fuse box under hood. Would turn over but not fire. Changed fuse, gauges came back to life and engine started. But the fuse would pop once in a while intermittenly. Could not trace it easily. Temporary fix that may well be permenant fix = put in a 25 amp fuse instead of a 20 amp fuse. Have been running the Jeep for several weeks and it is FINE.

[dksob81]

just be careful with using a 25amp fuse, I don't see it being to much of a problem because it is only 5 amps higher then original but ou could run into a problem where the wire is shorting out causing the fuse to blow so putting in a bigger fuse will cause the wire to overheat (instead of popping the fuse) and could cause a fire.