CJ-7 Won't Start

pgimbert

Active Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2008
Location
charlotte, nc
Hi all. I am new to this forum as well as Jeep ownership and auto repair.

I live here in Charlotte and purchased an 84 CJ-7 with a 150 AMC 4cyl a year ago. It is all stock, but looks like someone a few years back droped in some reman parts. I'm not really interested in wheelin this Jeep at this time, just getting it to the level of a nice around town driver. I recently purchased a Weber Carb to put in and hopefully gain some power. Thats just a little background.

Here is my problem: It turns over fine but won't start. I have read as much as I can on this forum regarding this problem (it seems pretty common), but I still can't find the problem. I originally took it to a mechanic, and he said he cleaned the terminals on the ignition coil, and the connectors and it started right up. I drove it that day I picked it up from the mechanic and had no issues with it starting. I went a week without driving it, and now it won't start again. I pulled the connector off the ignition coil and everything appears to be clean.

Here is what I have tested:
1. Ignition coil has proper resistance, 1.9 ohms
2. Distributor pickup coil; the ohms seemed higher than what the Haynes manual says; is this a problem?
3. Ignition module, I got a new one from NAPA for $30 and hooked it up; still won't start.

The Jeep will turnover without me pushing in the clutch.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
I have not idea other than maybe a lack in fuel or spark. Those old Jeeps are usually fairly easy to diagnose.

BTW, they Jeep will normally turn over with the clutch in any position (in or out)
 
no crank is one of 4 things:
Fuel
Spark
Air
Coordination (time)


Fuel is easy look in the carb
Spark is also easy check for spark at a plug (screw driver tests while someone cranks works well for this)
Air is very unlikely....I put it there because it IS required and someone will try to be a smart ass
Time is unlikely since you have driven since the problem started.

Basically what I am saying, you either have a fuel or a spark problem.
Figure out which then we can stat zeroing in from there.
 
I'm getting fuel to the carb. When I pulled the connector off the top of the ignition coil, one of the green wires to the negative terminal broke. I would like to replace the plastic connector; can you buy these at NAPA, or do I need to order it from Ford?
 
NAPA should have the part, or grab 5 bucks and go to the Pull-A-Part and get several for cheap. They're very common in most of the older fords.
 
willness33 said:
NAPA should have the part, or grab 5 bucks and go to the Pull-A-Part and get several for cheap. They're very common in most of the older fords.
Click to expand...

OR, (my personal preference) convert it to a standard ass set up with rings and nuts.

You will have to buy a new coil....but I HATE that crappy as tension contact system.
 
SkyHiK5 said:
OR, (my personal preference) convert it to a standard ass set up with rings and nuts.
You will have to buy a new coil....but I HATE that crappy as tension contact system.
Click to expand...

ditto, I'm not familiar with the "ass, rings and nuts set-up". I went and grabbed a half dozen from the junkyard myself.
 
damn that does read hard.
Sorry.

that should have read "standard ass" as in the normal non-retarded set up.

All you need is to purchase a coil with the studs on either side and cut the wires and put ring terminals and nuts on them.
 
May need to do a little research and get the specs....but I think the last one i got rid of I just bought the Accel Super col or whatever for $15 from advance
 
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