1987 jeep cherokee wont start

[cmapeej]

I recently parked my 1987 Jeep Cherokee and rebuilt the lower half, after everything was reinstalled, I made sure the timing marks meet in the middle, checked to see that the rotor was pointing to number 1 and checked the damper to see that the timing mark was hitting at 4 degrees before top dead center and it was, So I tried to start the 4.0 engine and all it seems to do is try to start once then floods out, i've replaced all the sensors, even the computer, the ignition system including the spark plugs and still i get a flooded engine, I've also checked the compression and it reads 185 on every cylinder, my oil pressure read 45psi on the gage while trying to start the engine, does anyone know what the problem could be, i've checked for codes and there are no new codes. someone please help, this is my only means of transportation.

[Guest]

You said you worked on the lower part of the engine and I assume that you removed the cylinder head which contains the valves. Are you absloutely certain that when you put it back that tihe valve timing coincided with the cylinder timing? In other words when the #1 piston was on Compression stroke,,,the valve train was also on the Compression Stroke? Otherewise the engine is completely out of time and even though the timing marks look good the engine will never start. This kind of mistake has happened before to a lot of us during the heat of trying to get ithe XXX job done. I would check this first.

[cmapeej]

yes my valves are shut on the compression stroke, my rotor is pointing to number 1 and the damper timing is hitting at 4 degrees before top dead center,i even turn the cam timing 180 degrees just to make sure and it wouldn't start that way either, i have a blue spark when i test the spark plugs, yet the engine will try to start then floods rite out. the head is previously rebuilt only a month ago by a reputable performance shop.

[Guest]

Okay so it seems that everything is on the money mechanically,,and its flooding out. Meaning you at least get it to cough a little and then its a no run.
You did a lot of repacing of parts I see so there were a lot of connections unplugged and the replugged etc. I'm not a Jeep owner myself but you know yourself that most of the problems today are electrical. The computer and the sensors run eveything and one thing goes out of whack then your stuck trying to figure it out.
Heres a link to getting some trouble codes for Chrysler which may help you out. Keep us posted. http://autorepair.about.com/library/ts/o...tcs-30.htm

[Guest]

Here's another website also:http://www.jedi.com/obiwan/jeep/dtc.html

[cmapeej]

Thank you i will rerun the codes again but the last time there were no codes present, who knows there could be some now i'll check and get back to you

[cmapeej]

well i tried to run the codes following the instructions on the web site <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://autorepair.about.com/library/ts/obd-i/bl-dtcs-30.htm">http://autorepair.about.com/library/ts/ ... tcs-30.htm</a><!-- m --> and the electrical system started over loading the negative battery cable got hot, the fuel pump was continuously pumping andi had turned the ignition switch off and it continued to do this. and the starter has a new problem it sounded like it was trying to ride up on the flywheel teeth so i'm going to check and see if somehow the starter came loose, however i need an idea of what happened during the code test, everything is still responding, except there were no codes again. used a code reader this time. Anyone got any ideas????

[Guest]

You say the negative cable got hot?? It takes a LOT of current TRYING to go though that cable to get it hot. And it seems like some kind of grounding problem, at least right now it seems that way to me. Can you check the cables themselves to be sure that there is no corrosion or loose connectors on the ends. And that the connections to the frame and motor are good? Remember that the ground cable should be attached to both the motor AND the car body . let us know how you do.

[cmapeej]

never mind im junking the jeep, no one could figure it out and jeep dealer said it would cost thousands to repair the jeep. thanks for trying

[hushklein]

hope this will help also, checked the igintion coil and module. ch3ck also the starter. then try to analyze the following jeep parts.
First, put on some safety glassess and crawl under the car, passenger side behind front tire. Jack the car if needed (I always do and use safety stands). Locate the starter. On the starter is the starter solenoid. It has 2 large terminals with large gauge wires and 1 small terminal with a smaller gauge wire. One large terminal has the power lead from the battery. The other large one goes into the starter housing. The small one is the trigger to the solenoid. Make sure you know where each wire is connected.

Take a jumper wire and connect the terminal with the battery cable to the small terminal with the trigger wire. I use one that has 2 alligator clips. I connect one tip to the small terminal and then touch the other to the battery side terminal. Be careful you DO NOT CONNECT the battery side to the other large terminal or to ground. You'll carry the full battery amperage through the wire.

This should crank the engine over. If it does, you're problem is upstream of the solenoid. If you hear nothing, the problem is likely the solenoid. If you hear a loud click but nothing turns, it may be the starter itself. If you think it's the solenoid, then take a screwdriver (a large diameter one like a #3 phillips) and use it to connect across both large terminals on the starter solenoid. Again, BE CAREFUL you do not connect anything directly to ground (it will spark like crazy). This will bypass the solenoid and feed the full battery power directly to the starter. If it cranks, then the solenoid is either stuck or bad. You could try tapping on the solenoid with a small hammer of the butt end of the screwdriver you just used and repeat the test. Still nothing? Change the starter.