89 Cherokee starting problem

[Czy_Wolf]

Hi, I am new to the forum and I hope someone can lead me in the right direction. I have been having problems with my high mileage 89 Cherokee. It is a 4.0L I6. The problem is it only starts when it wants to. I have checked the ignition module and it is ok however when the jeep refuses to start there is no spark at all. When I try it later on away it goes. It only seems to happen when the temperature drops. Periodic starting when I am at work guarantees that it will start for me when I go home. Anyone have any ideas on this? The garage has already stung me twice for this problem. THey gave it a complete tune up first time and simply gave up the next. Someone suggested to me that it might be the pick up coil. Is there a way to test that other then buying one to try? I will soon be moving on to a 94 Grand Cherokee and I would really like to keep the 89 in a running condition to use for a winter vehicle. Also, does anyone have any comments on all wheel drive and ABS brakes? I havent had much to do with either and the 94 I am looking at has both.

[Dale Aeppli]

Originally Posted by Czy_Wolf

Hi, I am new to the forum and I hope someone can lead me in the right direction. I have been having problems with my high mileage 89 Cherokee. It is a 4.0L I6. The problem is it only starts when it wants to. I have checked the ignition module and it is ok however when the jeep refuses to start there is no spark at all. When I try it later on away it goes. It only seems to happen when the temperature drops. Periodic starting when I am at work guarantees that it will start for me when I go home. Anyone have any ideas on this? The garage has already stung me twice for this problem. THey gave it a complete tune up first time and simply gave up the next. Someone suggested to me that it might be the pick up coil. Is there a way to test that other then buying one to try? I will soon be moving on to a 94 Grand Cherokee and I would really like to keep the 89 in a running condition to use for a winter vehicle. Also, does anyone have any comments on all wheel drive and ABS brakes? I havent had much to do with either and the 94 I am looking at has both.

Hi, it sounds like you may have a bad crankshaft sensor. Has it been tuned up lately. Have you had theottlebody cleaned recently. The crankshaft sensor is mounted on bellhousing. If you need picture holler. dale [email protected]

[redjeep89]

I miss my '89.. I had the crank sensor done on mine back then. About 180 at the shop, but I looked into the part after, and I think it's about an $80 part if I remember right. Seemed pretty easy to access according to chiltons, but was never something a weekender could diagnose without replacing a hundred more obvious things before. When I had it done it would try to start, but wouldn't.

I also had a different problem with "warm" starts, that it wouldn't even crank the starter. A cold start would be fine, a trip like to the store and back would be fine, but if I hit the gas station on the way to work - quick trip, sort of warmed up but not really, it wouldn't start when I'd try to leave. I had to wait till it cooled more. Usually never more than a few minutes though. I speculated that the starter had a wacky connection of some kind, but didn't have the thing long enough after that to really dig in to troubleshoot. I also found that banging on the steering wheel and swearing sometimes helped.. but maybe that was just coincidence.

[Czy_Wolf]

LoL Your right about the banging on the steering wheel and swearing, I think it takes about a half hour to work and then it starts. I could have saved myself some money I think if I had of known of this forum to begin with. I will look into this sensor a bit more and get back to everyone.

Originally Posted by redjeep89

I miss my '89.. I had the crank sensor done on mine back then. About 180 at the shop, but I looked into the part after, and I think it's about an $80 part if I remember right. Seemed pretty easy to access according to chiltons, but was never something a weekender could diagnose without replacing a hundred more obvious things before. When I had it done it would try to start, but wouldn't.

I also had a different problem with "warm" starts, that it wouldn't even crank the starter. A cold start would be fine, a trip like to the store and back would be fine, but if I hit the gas station on the way to work - quick trip, sort of warmed up but not really, it wouldn't start when I'd try to leave. I had to wait till it cooled more. Usually never more than a few minutes though. I speculated that the starter had a wacky connection of some kind, but didn't have the thing long enough after that to really dig in to troubleshoot. I also found that banging on the steering wheel and swearing sometimes helped.. but maybe that was just coincidence.

[Saudade]

My problem was when cold, started fine, then would die after about 10-15 minutes (after reaching temp). I had to let it cool off for about 20 minutes. It would then start and run for about 5 minutes (since it was already pretty warm). Drove about 10 miles to nurse it home. Took over 2 hours.

Autozone lists the CPS for about $53. Took me less than 20 minutes to change it.

Here's some testing you can do.
http://www1.autozone.com/servlet/UiB...3d8015234d.jsp