Jeep wont start

Tiny
FELIX81CJ7
  • MEMBER
  • 1981 JEEP CJ7
  • 109,000 MILES
I just bought from a friend. I drove for three days about 30 miles around town. The headlights blinked twice then stayed on it was kind of weird. I get to house turn jeep off and turn all lights off. Next morning when I go to show my wife jeep and take her for a spin it wont start.

I have got the lights running. I changed out dimmer switch and headlight switch. Harnesses were rusty and corroded.

Now I cant get it to start. I have checked battery, fuel at tank, fuel delivery to carb, I know it cranks but wont start. Here is where I need help. Im not scared to work on my own cars I just need to know where to start on jeeps never had a jeep but I wont give up on it. I will get it to start.
Saturday, June 30th, 2012 AT 6:54 AM

15 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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GIVE IT A SHOT OF STARTER FLUID DOWN THE CARB, LET ME KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT DOES

IF NO POSITIVE RESULTS AT ALL, PULL #1 SPARK PLUG WIRE, STICK A SMALL NAIL/ PAPER CLIP/ ETC METAL OBJECT BETWEEN THE RING INSIDE THE BOOT AND THE BOOT ITSELF. HOLD THE PLUG WIRE W/ NAIL ABOUT A 1/4" FROM EXPOSED METAL ON THE ENGINE. HAVE YOUR PAL CRANK IT OVER. DO YOU HAVE SPARK?

GIVE ME YOUR RESULTS AND ANY OTHER INFO ABOUT YOUR JEEP YOU HAVE LEFT OUT

THE MEDIC
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Saturday, June 30th, 2012 AT 11:43 AM
Tiny
FELIX81CJ7
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First of all let me thank you for replying to my question.

First step is spray with starting fluid I did just that and it did nothing, I recordered all steps and I would like to transfer to your by email so you can verify steps were done as per your request.

Second I took off spark plug #1 wire which is at rear of engine as per repair manual, I also recorded and then put a paperclip between rubber and metal and held 1/4 from unit and my son cranked it and no spark.

I like your process of elimination. What's next bossman?

If you want videos emaile djust shoot me your email, you probably don't but I like to provide justification and proof in case it is asked for.
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Sunday, July 1st, 2012 AT 4:42 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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LET'S DEAL WITH THE LIGHTS LATER

LET'S GET YOUR SPARK 1ST

........THIS SPARK TEST YOU DID WAS FINE, "NUMBER 1" IS AT THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE....YOU COULDA TESTED ANY ONE OF THEM, IT DON'T MATTER

NEED TO KNOW "WHAT ENGINE?"...ANY MODIFICATIONS STRAYING FROM FACTORY?...SO FAR YOU HAVEN'T SAID!...UNLESS I MISSED IT

I WANT YOU TO DO ANOTHER TEST, THIS WILL REQUIRE A VOLTMETER---SEE MY 1ST PIC...DISREGARD MY "VALUE", WHAT DO YOU GET?

DO YOU HAVE A VOLTMETER/ REPAIR MANUAL (WHICH?)/ DWELL-TACH/ TIMING LIGHT?

HAVE YOU READ ANY OF MY STUFF?

I LINK PEOPLE TO DIFFERENT THINGS, THIS SPEEDS THINGS UP, AND KEEPS ME FROM HUNTING AND PECKING INTO THE WEE HOURS OF THE MORNING. DON'T JUMP AHEAD OF ME...IF I LINK YOU TO SOMETHING, I MAY SAY "SEE MY ANSWER ON THE 32ND OF JUNE" IN THIS POST (THEN THE LINK).....JUMPING AHEAD MAY NOT BE THE ROUTE FOR YOU TO TAKE!

IF YOU GET DO GET A VALUE OF LET'S SAY, 7 VOLTS OR GREATER DO THIS TEST NEXT....AT THE AUTO PARTS STORE

SEE MY ANSWER ON "MAY 31ST 2012"----YOU SHOULD HAVE A "MOTORCRAFT IGNITION MODULE" OR IT'S EQUIVALENT ON YOUR '82

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/1977-jeep-wagoneer-77-360-begun-dying-random-only-happens-on-longer-drives-say

(FORGET THIS POST IS FOR A WAGONEER, MOTORCRAFT IGNITION IS THE SAME)

LET ME KNOW HOW IT'S GOING, ANY QUESTIONS SO FAR?....I'LL HANG AS LONG AS YOU DO YOUR END AND SEND RESULTS!

THE MEDIC
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Sunday, July 1st, 2012 AT 10:55 PM
Tiny
FELIX81CJ7
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  • 6 POSTS
Doing the first test I got.622 at 12v setting on voltmeter. Is this my problem.
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Monday, July 2nd, 2012 AT 12:41 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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MAYBE NOT---KEY WAS ON. CHECK BATTERY VOLTAGE AT THE POS AND NEG TERMINAL--AT THE BATTERY. WHATCHU GOT THERE?

I UPGRADED MINE FROM PRESTOLITE TO MOTORCRAFT.I HAD TO INSTALL A "BALLAST RESISTOR" IN MY POS WIRE. ORIGINALLY MINE DID NOT HAVE A RESISTANCE WIRE "BUILT IN" AS YOURS DOES. OUR READINGS MAY NOT BE THE 'ZACKLY THE SAME!

AFTER YOU GIVE ME BATTERY VOLTS

TELL ME ANYTHING YOU HAVE CHANGED OR DONE RECENTLY

********LETS MOVE ON TO THE MODULE TESTING--READ HOW TO GET IT LOOSE AGAIN***********

I REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF WINNING OVER THE FEMALE. WE WILL GET YOU THERE, MAYBE EVEN MORE THAN YOU CAME FOR. HAVE YOU LOOKED OVER THE OTHER FELLERS I HAVE HELPED HERE?

I TOLD MINE, WHEN WE WERE DATING, "MY JEEPS AND I ARE 'ONE'. MUST LOVE US ALL TO LOVE ONE"

THE MEDIC
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Monday, July 2nd, 2012 AT 1:10 AM
Tiny
FELIX81CJ7
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Yes sir key was on. Voltage at battery is 12.8 volts.
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Monday, July 2nd, 2012 AT 1:39 AM
Tiny
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OK WITH YOUR INFO

I'M SORTA AT AN INTERSECTION: MODULE, OR MAYBE DISTRIBUTOR

WE'LL TRY THE DISTRIBUTOR PICK UP COIL 1ST.....THEN YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO TRY THE MODULE TEST FROM ABOVE POST FROM THE WAGONEER

KNOW HOW TO DO A CONTINUITY TEST? MANY VIDEOS FOR THIS, MAYBE YOU'LL LIKE HIS ACCENT!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRhBImNYITg

SEE FEB 13 2011, AT THIS POST---PAY ATTENTION TO ROTOR BUTTON MENTION TOO!

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/1984-jeep-cherokee-cj7

WHAT TIME ZONE ARE YOU IN?....I'M IN S.C. EASTERN

HAVE YOU CHANGED THE COIL?....ANSWER ONLY....DON'T DO IT NOW

DOES IT "TRY" OR SPIT AND SPUTTER---OR IS IT JUST "DRY" OVER AND OVERS?

YOUR TURN

THE MEDIC
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Monday, July 2nd, 2012 AT 2:29 AM
Tiny
FELIX81CJ7
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
When I went to inspect the pick up coil and test according to Haynes manual I found wires were spliced and o e was broken and not making full contact. I bought new one and replaced. Went to crank it and immediately acted as it wanted to turn on. I had my buddy crank it hole I was out at engine compartment and as I put my weight on top of distributor cap it moved towards engine like it was loose and it turned on.

I am able to move distributor back and forth and it will adjust engine timing. I tightened 1/2 wrench where I felt and saw the engine run its best at idle.

Now I got engine on. How can I verify that engine timing is right. I do t have timing gun but I will buy one. Jut mention which one.

Your turn.
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Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012 AT 5:19 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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THIS IS A MIX OF STUFF

"PICK OUT" THE TIMING STUFF

JUNE 20---JUNE 21 IN THIS POST

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/1985-jeep-cj7-inconsistent-curb-idle-low-power-hi-rpms

IF READING IT IS UNCLEAR---WAIT!!!.....I'LL EXPLAIN IT DIFFERENT!

I'M ABOUT TO HEAD TO WORK NOW, TIME IS SHORT....I'LL BE HOME ABOUT 1400 HRS EASTERN

GLAD TO SEE YOU RESPONDED!

I DO HAVE A FEW OTHER POSTS I CAN LINK YOU TO--WHERE IT MAY BE EXPLAINED BETTER. I DON'T HAVE TIME TO FIND ONE RIGHT NOW

LOOK FOR A MESSAGE (TOP OF PAGE, CLICK ON YOUR NAME, LOOK LEFT FOR MESSAGE CENTER)

THE MEDIC
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Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012 AT 10:54 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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HOW WE DOIN'?

NEED ME TO EXPLAIN PROPER TIMING BETTER?

THE MEDIC
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Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012 AT 11:14 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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JU GET LOST ON ME?

ANY UPDATE?

THE MEDIC
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Sunday, July 8th, 2012 AT 1:58 AM
Tiny
FELIX81CJ7
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Medic,

Here is update.

I did not get the timing adjusted I do not havbe a timing gun or know how to do it. I drove jeep for about 45 miles and as soon as I got my wife (bad luck) on the jeep she quite about in the next 10 miles. I towed jeep to house and the next morning I tried to see if I was getting spark at the plug wires.

I did the paper clip trick. No spark.

The only thing that I replaced last time was pick up coil and it started up when I moved distributor.

I removed dist. Cap and saw metal shavings on top of pick up coil. It looked like it was that star piece of metal that rotates inside. Id figure I replace some stuff. This is what I replaced.

I replaced distributor cap, rotor, cap, plugs, wires and ignition module.

Jeep fired right up. I put crank pulley at top dead center and I made sure rotor was pointing to spark plug 1 on cap. She fired right up.

I had to leave for the weekend for some baseball tournament in lubbock, tx.

I will be back next week to mess with the timing. I really want to conquer the timing part so she can run smoothly.

Please advise on what you think I need to to do and how to approach. Do I buy gun, what model and where. I dont mind to buy a timing gun as I have a 90' chevy blazer as well.
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Sunday, July 8th, 2012 AT 3:21 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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YOU DEFINITELY NEED A DWELL/TACH METER AND A TIMING GUN---PLAIN JANE IS PREFERRED (NO DIALS OR BUTTONS ON THE LIGHT, A TRIGGER IS FINE, THE OTHER CRAP WILL ONLY CONFUSE YOU...AND ME TOO!)

A PAWN SHOP MIGHT BE THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR USED ONES REALLY CHEAP, AS THEY ARE BECOMING LESS AND LESS IN DEMAND.....I MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU GET STUFF AT A LOWER COST, IF YOU DESIRE NEW

I HAVE MADE PICS IN THE PAST AND CAN EXPLAIN THE TIMING PROCEDURE TO YOU....IT IS EZ, IF YOU GO THRU THE STEPS RIGHT

WHAT SORTA CONCERNS ME IS THE SHAVINGS YOU FOUND---IS SOMETHING RUBBING IN THE DIST?

CAN YOU SEND GOOD PICS?

WITH THE ROTOR BUTTON REMOVED CAN YOU WOBBLE/WOLLER THE DIST SHAFT AROUND (SHOULD NOT WOBBLE AT ALL)......WHAT ABOUT CRANKING IT OVER, DOES THE SHAFT WOBBLE INSTEAD OF RUNNING TRUE?

IF IT IS NOT LOOKING GOOD, I CAN TALK YOU THRU REPLACING MR. DISTRIBUTOR THE EZ WAY......AS LONG AS YOU DO NOT PULL IT OUT IN HASTE, AND DON'T WAIT ON ME.......THEN WE'LL HAVE TO DO IT THE HARD(ER) WAY

I CAN ALSO EXPLAIN HOW TO GET YOUR PARTS CHEAPER...PARTS...OIL CHANGE...TOOLS.........IF YOU ARE INTERESTED

PIC

1) WAS AVAILABLE AT HARBOR FREIGHT FOR LESS THAN $40--THIS ONE BELONGS TO MY BUDDY, THE STUFF WORKS WELL AND IS COMPACT, I WILL GET ONE LIKE IT ONE DAY FOR A "HOUSE CALL KIT"

2) MY FAVORITE DWELL/TACH/VOLTMETER...METER (I HAVE 2 OTHER REALLY OLD MONSTERS)

3) PLAIN JANE, NO BELLS OR WHISTLES TIMING LIGHT (I HAVE ANOTHER ONE JUST LIKE IT THAT STAYS IN "WILLY" (MY '46 WILLYS)---I ALSO HAVE 2 ANCIENT ONES THAT LOOK LIKE A FLASHLIGHT WITH WIRES OUT OF THE BACK

4) VACUUM GAGE/FUEL PRESSURE GAUGE (SAME GAUGE)/ COMPRESSION GAUGE KIT (ALSO OLD AS THE HILLS) THIS IS A REALLY HELPFUL SET, ESPECIALLY THE VACUUM GAUGE --- I PRETTY MUCH STARTED OUT WITH NOTHING.....AND I STILL HAVE MOST OF IT LEFT!

SEE MY 1ST ANSWER IN THIS POST

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/2010-all-other-cars-how-to-change-gears-for-fuel

5) "MR. JEEP"

6)-7) "WILLY"

TELL ME SOME STUFF!I HAVE A WIFEY TOO.......I KEEP HER WONDERING ABOUT THE PERCENTAGES OF HOW MY "LOVE" IS DIVIDED BETWEEN HER AND THE JEEPS.......IT IS SORTA TWO AGAINST ONE!

NICE LOOKING JEEP---WE MAY HAVE TO DISCUSS CORRECTING THE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED WIPER.....OR IT'S POSSIBLE MESSED UP LINKAGE INSIDE THE WINDSHIELD FRAME

TOO MUCH SHADOW---I LIGHTENED IT AND CROPPED IT!

THE MEDIC
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Sunday, July 8th, 2012 AT 5:02 AM
Tiny
GRIZZLY93
  • MEMBER
  • 68 POSTS
Dont feel too bad about the woman situation. My jeep yj, before I got my cj, would break down everytime I had a girl with me. Like it was jealous or something. Than I soon found that it may not be a good thing when it breaks down, but its not always a bad thing being broke down in the woods with the girl you got the hots for ;) hahaha!
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Thursday, July 12th, 2012 AT 3:32 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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AT WORK TODAY

HAD A HOTTIE FEMALE COME IN COMPLAINING ABOUT HER "ALMOST PAID FOR. MONEY PIT CAR"

I TOLD HER SHE SHOULD IMMEDIATELY TAKE IT TO A LOCAL CAR DEALER AND TRADE IT FOR THE NICE LOOKING WRANGLER ON THE LOT, WHILE IT WAS STILL RUNNING

SHE REPLIED WITH, "I BET I'D LOOK GOOD IN A JEEP"

AS I POINTED TO MINE IN THE PARKING LOT, I CAME BACK WITH, "I LOOK REALLY GOOD IN MINE.'COURSE, I LOOK GOOD IN ANY VEHICLE I'M IN!"

THE SETTING WAS JUST RIGHT AND I BROUGHT THE HOUSE DOWN!

THE MEDIC
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Thursday, July 12th, 2012 AT 4:11 AM

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