1993 Jeep Cherokee Spark at coil but not plugs

Tiny
REV4REV
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • V8
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 93,000 MILES
I have no spark at spark plugs but when I remove coil wire at dist. Cap and put a plug in it it has great spark. Even open up gap on test plug a long ways and it still sparks from coil. Have replaced crank sensor, PCM, Plugs, Wires, Cap & Rotor to no avail. Timing is on anyone have an idea what to do next? Is it possible the rebuilt PCM is firing coil when rotor is inbetween contacts in cap?
Sunday, March 2nd, 2008 AT 8:36 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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Common sense would say its the cap and rotors

but if you had replaced the cap and rotor and new wires
the only thing left is the distributor
pull cap off and ask a helper to crank for you watch the rotor if its spinning
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Sunday, March 2nd, 2008 AT 8:51 PM
Tiny
REV4REV
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Also tried to hold distributor shaft with rag while I has someone crank it to seee if gear was slipping but it turned fine against the resistance.
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Monday, March 3rd, 2008 AT 8:01 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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See if you have spark at the coil and it strong
start at the coil then the end of coil wire before the cap
and if its strong place it on the cap
(in the middle of the cap is for the coil wire )
if not then its the wire no good or the coil week
replace as needed
no spark out of the cap indicate bad rotor and or cap
spark has to go some where
let me know
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Monday, March 3rd, 2008 AT 9:19 PM
Tiny
REV4REV
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Also checked that rotor was pointing in the correct position when on TDC and it was.
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Monday, March 3rd, 2008 AT 9:25 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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You have to understand electricity
you say that you have spark at the coil
that spark has to travel throw the wire to the cap in the cap on to the rotor out the rotor to the cap and to each wire by firing order
simple as that
now electricity very lazy and will take the easy way out
that’s what you should be checking for
PS :
you are cranking the engine watching the spark arcing from the coil is that correct
or you’re using a test light to test the power at the coil wire connect.
Let me know
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Tuesday, March 4th, 2008 AT 7:01 AM
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
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Dont overlook the obvious like bmrfixit said. Have you replaced coil? I replace these coils so often. I will even replace this coil when im doing a regular tune up because they fail so often. This is the only ignition system I will do that because of the frequent problems. Something to think about
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Tuesday, March 4th, 2008 AT 7:13 AM
Tiny
REV4REV
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Changed most other thing else so I will change the coil even though it ohms ok. I checked spark at Dist. Cap end of coil wire and it will jump a 1/4" gap easily. That is why I am convinced it is firing when rotor is in between dist cap contacts leading to spark plug wires. Just cannot figure out why.
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Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 AT 8:35 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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If you have spark at the coil wire and no spark coming out the cap its the cap and rotor
if rotor is running like you said before
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Thursday, March 6th, 2008 AT 6:26 AM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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Red is the coil wire


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/99387_jeep_v893_2.jpg

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+1
Thursday, March 6th, 2008 AT 6:31 AM
Tiny
REV4REV
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Triple checked spark plug wiring and it is in order.
Tested cam postion sensor and it tests good.
Coil did not fix.
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Thursday, March 6th, 2008 AT 8:19 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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This is what I dont get
if you have spark at the wire going in the cap and not out
I would say cap and or rotor no good
are you sure that your have no spark out the cap
try a diff cap and rotor
you have fuel pressure
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Thursday, March 6th, 2008 AT 8:53 PM
Tiny
REV4REV
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Coil number 2 fixed problem. Everyone was telling me coil so I tried another off a different Jeep that ran and wow it runs. Just because it is new from box does not mean trouble is solved I guess.

Thanks for your help!1
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Monday, March 10th, 2008 AT 6:44 PM
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
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Pissa! I like wicked good news. Thanks for the reply
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Monday, March 10th, 2008 AT 6:47 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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YOU SAID IT BEST
( from box does not mean trouble is solved I guess.)
HAPPY DRIVING
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Monday, March 10th, 2008 AT 7:19 PM

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