1999 Jeep Cherokee 4 cyl cranks but does not start

dupont24 · 03-24-2008, 05:24 PM

Cranks, but
will not start.

dupont24 · 03-24-2008, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dupont24

Cranks, but
will not start.

**qldit** · 03-24-2008, 07:16 PM

Good Morning dupont24, it appears that many of these vehicles display that problem and it commonly involves the antitheft system.

Check all under dash fuses.

One of the other fellows here should have some better ideas.

Cheers, qldit.

**mack1** · 03-24-2008, 07:55 PM

Hi Dupont24 and welcome to TSF

You didn't give us much to work with.
Does it try to start, backfire, miss, anything? Was it running good and the problem happened suddenly?

Without knowing any of the above, I would revert to the old fashion method of troubleshooting. Is it ignition, or is it fuel?

For ignition, I would pull a plug or use a spare one laying on the block and plug an ignition wire to it. Crank the engine over and look for a blue spark across the gap.

If I had spark, I would prime it using a can of spray starter fluid into the intake manifold while the engine was cranking over. I'm not familiar with 99 model jeeps, but it probably has a large hose from the air filter to the manifold that will have to be removed to get to the intake manifold.

Try qldits idea also, he knows more than he is letting on.

Hope one of us helped you and post back if not with more details.
Regards,
Mack1

**qldit** · 03-24-2008, 08:44 PM

Good Afternoon Gentlemen, I wish I did Mack1, some of these Jeeps can be a real "box of worms"! LOL!

Some of them appear to be designed on top of the antitheft system.

I am sure your constructive analysis scheme will bear fruit.

I found using a small AM portable radio (tuned to the low end of the band off station) held near an open hood or near the spark leads was helpful, you can hear the clacking of the ignition if the starter noise is not overpowering.

All part of intelligence gathering. (good for odd firing misses)

Cheers, qldit.

**mack1** · 03-24-2008, 09:56 PM

Thanks qldit,

I'll try to remember that AM radio trick. That is a novel idea.

Regards,
Mack1

**qldit** · 03-24-2008, 10:47 PM

Good Afternoon Mack1, yes it is handy when you don't want to get dirty! LOL!
Cheers, qldit.

cardoc · 03-25-2008, 05:21 PM

Well you got our attention so you have some very experianced techs waiting to answer your question.A little more info as Mack1 suggested does wonders to get the proper answers.Could be anything from a bad crankshaft position sensor to out of gas.To test for spark I always like the direct pull a wire method(good for the heart)(time will tell).Or spray a little starter fluid in the intake to see if it fires up.If it does you know it's a fuel problem.If not it's spark.Those are just basics we all need to deal with to go in the right direction.Will be watching. Btw the am radio trick just isn't any fun anymore.
Good luck,Cardoc

BUDFAN8 · 03-27-2008, 04:25 PM

cardoc it may be good for the heart but its terrible for tools. my tools tend to get thrown in a cussing fit when i get hit by the pull a wire trick especially when coil packs are involved. had one that wouldnt let go it seamed, think i got 10 cuss words out before i quit getting zapped.

back on topic:

DETAILS DETAILS DETAILS!!!!!!!!!! the more info the better your chance of getting your problem fixed.

03-24-2008, 05:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
dupont24 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 2 OS: Microsoft Works 8.5	1999 Jeep Cherokee 4 cyl cranks but does not start Cranks, but will not start.

03-24-2008, 07:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
qldit TSF Gearhead Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brisbane Australia. Posts: 592 OS: All Systems, mainly Linux	Re: 1999 Jeep Cherokee 4 cyl cranks but does not start Good Morning dupont24, it appears that many of these vehicles display that problem and it commonly involves the antitheft system. Check all under dash fuses. One of the other fellows here should have some better ideas. Cheers, qldit.

03-24-2008, 07:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
mack1 TSF Articles Team Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Texarkana, Texas Posts: 1,245 OS: xp sp3 My System	Re: 1999 Jeep Cherokee 4 cyl cranks but does not start Hi Dupont24 and welcome to TSF You didn't give us much to work with. Does it try to start, backfire, miss, anything? Was it running good and the problem happened suddenly? Without knowing any of the above, I would revert to the old fashion method of troubleshooting. Is it ignition, or is it fuel? For ignition, I would pull a plug or use a spare one laying on the block and plug an ignition wire to it. Crank the engine over and look for a blue spark across the gap. If I had spark, I would prime it using a can of spray starter fluid into the intake manifold while the engine was cranking over. I'm not familiar with 99 model jeeps, but it probably has a large hose from the air filter to the manifold that will have to be removed to get to the intake manifold. Try qldits idea also, he knows more than he is letting on. Hope one of us helped you and post back if not with more details. Regards, Mack1 __________________ "If you like yourself others will like you also" me "Don't drink downstream from the herd" Will Rogers Submit New Articles Here Last edited by mack1; 03-24-2008 at 07:58 PM.

03-24-2008, 08:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
qldit TSF Gearhead Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brisbane Australia. Posts: 592 OS: All Systems, mainly Linux	Re: 1999 Jeep Cherokee 4 cyl cranks but does not start Good Afternoon Gentlemen, I wish I did Mack1, some of these Jeeps can be a real "box of worms"! LOL! Some of them appear to be designed on top of the antitheft system. I am sure your constructive analysis scheme will bear fruit. I found using a small AM portable radio (tuned to the low end of the band off station) held near an open hood or near the spark leads was helpful, you can hear the clacking of the ignition if the starter noise is not overpowering. All part of intelligence gathering. (good for odd firing misses) Cheers, qldit.

03-24-2008, 09:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
mack1 TSF Articles Team Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Texarkana, Texas Posts: 1,245 OS: xp sp3 My System	Re: 1999 Jeep Cherokee 4 cyl cranks but does not start Thanks qldit, I'll try to remember that AM radio trick. That is a novel idea. Regards, Mack1 __________________ "If you like yourself others will like you also" me "Don't drink downstream from the herd" Will Rogers Submit New Articles Here

03-24-2008, 10:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
qldit TSF Gearhead Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brisbane Australia. Posts: 592 OS: All Systems, mainly Linux	Re: 1999 Jeep Cherokee 4 cyl cranks but does not start Good Afternoon Mack1, yes it is handy when you don't want to get dirty! LOL! Cheers, qldit.

03-25-2008, 05:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
cardoc Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ct. Posts: 198 OS: win xp sp2	Re: 1999 Jeep Cherokee 4 cyl cranks but does not start Well you got our attention so you have some very experianced techs waiting to answer your question.A little more info as Mack1 suggested does wonders to get the proper answers.Could be anything from a bad crankshaft position sensor to out of gas.To test for spark I always like the direct pull a wire method(good for the heart)(time will tell).Or spray a little starter fluid in the intake to see if it fires up.If it does you know it's a fuel problem.If not it's spark.Those are just basics we all need to deal with to go in the right direction.Will be watching. Btw the am radio trick just isn't any fun anymore. Good luck,Cardoc

03-27-2008, 04:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
BUDFAN8 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 205 OS: XP	Re: 1999 Jeep Cherokee 4 cyl cranks but does not start cardoc it may be good for the heart but its terrible for tools. my tools tend to get thrown in a cussing fit when i get hit by the pull a wire trick especially when coil packs are involved. had one that wouldnt let go it seamed, think i got 10 cuss words out before i quit getting zapped. back on topic: DETAILS DETAILS DETAILS!!!!!!!!!! the more info the better your chance of getting your problem fixed.