If your Jeep won't start....

[kelshm]

I am sure I'm not the only person that has had this problem but I wanted to tell you about it.

I have an 89 Cherokee. This was my sister's before it was mine. She would call me all the time telling me that the Jeep wouldn't start. Invariably, I would go to help her out and it would start right up for me irregardless of how many other people attempted to start it.

It finally came to a head one day when it wouldn't even start for me. The Crankshaft position sensor was replaced and various other parts tested and some replaced but nothing helped.

I was discussing this with my uncle and brother. My brother said something about when it happened (he was there) and it came to me. I went back over to the Jeep, unplugged the computer and plugged it back in and it started right up. (On the 89 this is a yellow box under the dash at the steering column)

This problem never repeated until this weekend. (8 years later) I had forgotten about this and attempted to start the Jeep multiple times. I then remembered this trick. I tried it and it started right up.

I just thought that this might help someone else too.

[kelshm]

I might add that the Jeep would crank. It wouldn't fire or even attempt to actually start. I have seen several postings in here that just make me think that this isn't a problem just related to my Jeep.

[kelshm]

I don't know why this worked as this is the cruise control but for many years it did work, until this last week. I then unplugged the computer which is just above the accelerator, and plugged it back in and problem solved.

[knarfm]

kelshm; Thanks for the tip. My 89 started with a simple fuel smell. Replaced some vacuum lines and fuel rail fittings and injector O rings. Ran when I pulled in, did the work, and now all it does is crank. Replaced crank, coolant, WOT senors, ISU motor, all for more of crank but no start. I will try that tommorow. Thanks, knarfm

[DOCTORBILL]

All connectors get corroded after a while - we live in an Oxygen atmosphere.

Same thing always happens with any device using batteries.
If you open the battery container and simply rotate the batteries by rolling them with your finger,
the device works well for a while.

By disconnecting and then reconnecting, you make new and better contacts.

My Father was an Electrical Engineer (Hallicrafter's Radio in Chicago) and told me to put a
thin layer of Zinc Oxide Ointment on contacts and the connection will stay good 100x longer.

I've done that for years and it helps tremendously.

DoctorBill