Engine cranks but won't start?

Tiny
GRCHERJEEP95
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
Engine was running fine. Parked car and next morning engine cranked, but would not start. No warning lights on.
Saturday, February 14th, 2015 AT 10:10 AM

19 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,864 POSTS
First check if you have spark. Next, read and record any diagnostic fault codes. Chrysler makes doing that yourself easier than any other manufacturer. Cycle the ignition switch from "off" to "run" three times within five seconds without cranking the engine, leave it in "run", then count the flashes of the Check Engine light. You'll see a series of flashes for the first digit of the code, a pause, then a series of flashes for the second digit. There will be a longer pause before the next code shows up the same way. Disregard codes 12 and 55. "55" will always be the last one. If you miscount, turn the ignition switch off, then back to "run" right away and the sequence should repeat. List the codes in your reply. These guides can help us fix the problem.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jeep-diagnostic-trouble-codes-for-car-built-on-or-before-1995-odb1

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Saturday, February 14th, 2015 AT 10:24 AM
Tiny
LTATUM
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
  • 204,500 MILES
The car won't start after driving. If I wait a few hours it starts up again. When I replaced the coil it started right up the the same thing happened. I have also replaced the coil wire with ot any luck. I am going to change the rotor, cap and spark plugs and wires. I have tried had te fuel pump checked and it's fine. Any suggestions?
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Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 11:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,864 POSTS
None of the parts you mentioned will cause this symptom. You know all the spark plugs did not fail at once, then magically start working again when they cool down. Start by checking the diagnostic fault codes. You can do that yourself by going here:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/retrieve-trouble-codes-for-chrysler-dodge-plymouth-odb1-1995-and-earlier-car-mini-van-and-light-trucks

The most common cause of this is a failing crankshaft position sensor or camshaft position sensor, depending on which engine you have. They commonly fail by becoming heat-sensitive, then they work again when they cool down. You can verify that by checking for spark when the no-start is occurring. If it is missing, the next step is to determine if the automatic shutdown (ASD) relay is turning on. I can help with that.
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Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 11:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TKD
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1995 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
  • 180,000 MILES
I took out my distributer and cap to replace a gasket that was leaking oil pute it all back together and now my 4.0 strt6 wont start or fire what do I do now
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Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 11:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Did you put it back in exactly as it came out?

Roy
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Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 11:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TKD
  • MEMBER
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Yes I believe so but as I tore it back apart I noticed the rotor under the cap was in differant position than before not ligning up with my marks
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Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 11:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Re set it and give it a try

Roy
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Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 11:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TKD
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Ive done that got it too start but it sounds like a shot gun off constantly
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Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 11:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
(Different guy)

I'm sending "david and chad" to give you a hand

Class 1

Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a2x9msslqy

Class 2

Http://www.youtube.com/watch?nr=1&v=fhx1yxvyimg&feature=endscreen

If you did not mark the body of the distributor and the engine, you are gonna need a timing light and the "exact" procedure in setting the timing (might have to disconnect a wire or vacuum line while timing)

One of these is very helpful for doing it right

Http://www.2carpros.com/questions/2007-ford-taurus-tune-up

Keep us posted on progress

The medic

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Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 11:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TIFFANY J PARENTEAU
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
Did an oil change and filter change, topped off all other fluids, and added additives to transmission and fuel. The vehicle cranks, almost turns over, then just cranks and finally makes a weird noise almost like it seized up or as if it was not grabbing anything. I am not exactly sure if that is the exact description but that is the best I can do.
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Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 11:12 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Good morning.

After this amount of time, you will need to drop the fuel tank, drain out the old fuel, replace the pump and change the filter.

There is no additive you can use for old bad fuel. The line to the injectors needs to be cleaned as well. Fuel separates over time and will not mix again.

Do you have good spark?

Roy
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Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 11:12 AM (Merged)
Tiny
T.H. EVANS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
95 jeep grand cherokee 4-0 wont start changed crank and cam sensor, distribitors, wires, plugs, 02 sensor, temp sensor, fuel filter, checked all fuses, fuel pump is good and pressure. Help help! About to junk it.
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Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 11:12 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
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Did you visually check for spark at the plugs? If spark everywhere, use a gage and check fuel. If you checked fuel pressure, what is the spec? You may have to do a cylinder compression test. Are there any applicable mil trouble codes?
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Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 11:12 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PANDATTI820
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1995 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 175,000 MILES
We replaced the engine with a used engine drove it to the store ran fine. Turned it off now it will not start. Seems to be getting no fuel. We repalced the fuel pump with a used one still no fuel. Checked the relay and fuses. Turns over but will not start. Any ideas?
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Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 11:12 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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Have you checked for spark?
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Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 11:12 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PANDATTI820
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
We are checking
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Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 11:12 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PANDATTI820
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
No spark
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Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 11:12 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PANDATTI820
  • MEMBER
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There is no spark
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Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 11:12 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,864 POSTS
The ignition system, injectors, alternator, and indirectly, the fuel pump all get their current from the automatic shutdown (ASD) relay. The Engine Computer turns that relay on when it sees pulses from the crankshaft position sensor and the camshaft position sensor. Given the recent history of the engine replacement, did you use a thick paper spacer when reinstalling the crankshaft position sensor? If not, it can be slid in too far where it will hit the flex plate and be broken, or it can be installed not far enough where it generates a signal that is too weak.

You can prove the ASD relay isn't turning on by measuring the voltage on the dark green / orange wire, (I think) at the ignition coil, any injector, or either small wire on the back of the alternator. You should see battery voltage there for only one second after turning on the ignition switch. What is important is that voltage must come back during cranking. If it does not, check the cam and crank sensors.
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Sunday, August 30th, 2020 AT 11:12 AM (Merged)

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