engine wont start

[wally]

Just as it sayd I went out this morning and it started right up. Then it died. Let it set for a few min (est 3-5) and tried again. It sputtered and then died. Getting fuel as far as I can tell. Had a leak in one of the lines from the filter so I replaced it and still wont start. Any help on this from anyone would be great. also it is a Jeep 4.2 carb. Thanks I need to try and get it running tonight since it is my daily driver. Thanks again.

 

[BCGPER]

You dont mention the mileage on the motor, but the last timming chain I had fail happened exactly as you describe. Might want to toss a timming light on her, and see what's up on that end.

 

[wally]

The new engine was just put in about 10000 miles ago.

Also if anyone lives in the tooele area and would to come over and try and help that also would be great. Just let me know what kind of beer/drink and pizza you like and it will be here.

 

[waynehartwig]

The new engine was just put in about 10000 miles ago.

Also if anyone lives in the tooele area and would to come over and try and help that also would be great. Just let me know what kind of beer/drink and pizza you like and it will be here.

I wish I was closer, I would be there in a heart beat - PG or not!

Just remember, gotta have spark, fuel and timing (mechanical and electrical) to run. Like was said earlier about the timing belt, my first thing would be pump the carb to see if there is fuel in it. Yes, then pull a plug and crank the motor to see if there is spark. You will also hear the air coming out of the missing plug hole, make sure it's not sucking, too.... If you can't tell, put your finger over the hole, it should push it off and never suck it back in. Those three tests should tell you everything you want to know.

 

[wally]

I wish I was closer, I would be there in a heart beat - PG or not!

Just remember, gotta have spark, fuel and timing (mechanical and electrical) to run. Like was said earlier about the timing belt, my first thing would be pump the carb to see if there is fuel in it. Yes, then pull a plug and crank the motor to see if there is spark. You will also hear the air coming out of the missing plug hole, make sure it's not sucking, too.... If you can't tell, put your finger over the hole, it should push it off and never suck it back in. Those three tests should tell you everything you want to know.

Okay I did all that and I found I am not getting spark from plug or ignition coil. Took the dist cap off and everything there is moving while turning key over. Went and got a new ignition coil and still no spark. I am not that good when it comes to testing it but you tell me what to test and how and I can do that. So it still sounds elec but where to go next, besides a shop.

 

[dunatic67]

Okay I did all that and I found I am not getting spark from plug or ignition coil. Took the dist cap off and everything there is moving while turning key over. Went and got a new ignition coil and still no spark. I am not that good when it comes to testing it but you tell me what to test and how and I can do that. So it still sounds elec but where to go next, besides a shop.

Use a test light and make sure there is power to the coil with the key on. If there isn't power, then look at your fuses/trace the wire and find the break.

 

[waynehartwig]

Use a test light and make sure there is power to the coil with the key on. If there isn't power, then look at your fuses/trace the wire and find the break.

Exactly. I personally like volt meter's over lights, but it's all 6's and preference. Sometimes a voltmeter will show a voltage, even though the connection can't support a load - a light will not light, even though there is voltage present. If there is voltage present, and it can't support a load to light the light, then you have a loose/coroded wire somewhere. Also, if you put your voltmeter on AC, you should not see any voltage on a 12vdc system. If you do, then you have a loose wire between there and the battery. This is also a good way to see if your alternator is getting ready to go out, or if your battery cables/terminals are bad (the motor has to be running for this test). If you use a voltmeter, you should have between about 8-12 volts, depending on if it's an external or internal ballast coil. The hot side is always hot when the key is in the run position, if it's not, then you have a fusible link dead somewhere. The negative side of the coil is switched from the module/points. If you hook up the light to the negative side, crank the motor, the light should flicker very fast as you are firing the coil (tied to ground through the points/module). If it's not, you have bad points/module.

While we are on the subject, do you have points? What year vehicle we working on here?

 

[wally]

Okay I will try and test all that later on tonight. Strange thing is that someone told me to check the crank shaft sensor. Well I looked al over the place for it and I guess mine does not have it or it is gone. However once I got out from under it I looked on top to see if the wires were up there and still no luck. I then got in the Jeep to try it one more time before I went to bed and sure enough it started right up. Drove it today and it died on me twice while driving but it started right up so I do not know what is wrong.

 

[olywrestle]

Okay I will try and test all that later on tonight. Strange thing is that someone told me to check the crank shaft sensor. Well I looked al over the place for it and I guess mine does not have it or it is gone. However once I got out from under it I looked on top to see if the wires were up there and still no luck. I then got in the Jeep to try it one more time before I went to bed and sure enough it started right up. Drove it today and it died on me twice while driving but it started right up so I do not know what is wrong.

that to me sounds like either a crank sensor going bad, or a bad wire to the coil where it is losing spark intermittently

 

[wally]

that to me sounds like either a crank sensor going bad, or a bad wire to the coil where it is losing spark intermittently

I guess I have more things to check on. If you or anyone else has a pic of which wires or the colors that would be great.

 

[Jinx]

What year of jeep,
you say 4.2 so I am thinking CJ therefore you are not likely to have a crank sensor.

It might not hurt to check your ground/positive on the battery. Any loose wires there "could" lead to the intermitant spark...

 

[wally]

What year of jeep,
you say 4.2 so I am thinking CJ therefore you are not likely to have a crank sensor.

It might not hurt to check your ground/positive on the battery. Any loose wires there "could" lead to the intermitant spark...

I figured that is why I could not find one that the book showed. It is an 88 yj. I do know when I do take it places I do flat tow it so I disconnect the battery. So I will try and make sure they are all connected good.