Starting Issues

burrellsjeep

burrellsjeep

Breaking Stuff...
Joined
Nov 19, 2008
Location
Morganton NC
Here's the deal, I have had my jeep in the garage all winter. Worked on the transfer, Suspension, and Lined the tub.

At some point during this my sons turned on the lights and killed the battery. I discovered this when I went to start it, So no telling how long the battery was dead. I charged it up and tried to start it.

When I turn the key to the first position I get the beep and the gauge lights come on (Check Engine, Air bag) then go off (Like normal). The odd thing is the gauges don't seem to react. Shouldn't the fuel gauge and battery gauge be reading. I think it should. I know the Temp and the Oil Pressure shouldn't move.

When I try to start it, it just turns over but won't fire up. It was running great before it parked a few months ago.

Could the ECU be having Issues? I unhooked the battery this morning before work in hopes of reseting it. Kinda got me stumped.

Hopefully you guys can help.

Thanks

Edit:

Specs

97 Jeep TJ 2.5 Liter, Manual, 109K
 
I don't have much to help, but, did you unhook the battery when you charged it? You charged at what amp? I have seen ECU's damaged from boosting and charging from an outside source.
 
upnover said:
I don't have much to help, but, did you unhook the battery when you charged it? You charged at what amp? I have seen ECU's damaged from boosting and charging from an outside source.
Click to expand...

I jumped it at first.

Then I charged it at 15 amp, I am also thinking I may have damaged the ECU by charging it hooked up. I hope not but we'll see.

I have another 97 TJ 2.5, I am going to swap ECUs and see it that helps.
 
So I just got off the phone with my Father in Law, He has a 97 2.5 liter TJ also. I asked if I could test mine with his ECU, He said he was going call me anyway cause he is doing the same thing :confused: Is 97 TJ not crank week or what.

He seems to think his is alarm related, it had one on it when he got it. I will look at his after I get mine going.
 
Have you done the little "cycle the key 3 times" thing? If the ecu has codes they will display in the odometer. If no codes are present the gauges will perform a self test. This might not help you but you basically cycle the key from off position to on position 3 times. I cant remember if you leave it on after 3 or if you switch it off and then go on a 4th time.
 
RHSCTJ said:
Have you done the little "cycle the key 3 times" thing? If the ecu has codes they will display in the odometer. If no codes are present the gauges will perform a self test. This might not help you but you basically cycle the key from off position to on position 3 times. I cant remember if you leave it on after 3 or if you switch it off and then go on a 4th time.
Click to expand...

Thanks,

I will try that when I get home.
 
I don't know about your no-start issue, but your dead gauges may be caused by an electrical connector that is a known problem on the TJ's.
Sometimes you can smack the top of your dash and the gauges will start working.
 
ncjeepers said:
I don't know about your no-start issue, but your dead gauges may be caused by an electrical connector that is a known problem on the TJ's.
Sometimes you can smack the top of your dash and the gauges will start working.
Click to expand...

I got the new battery today, I am going to install it, and check the grounds, I feel fairly sure the ground from the battery was not getting to frame very well. I going to clean that up and see what happens.
 
Installed new battery, Cleaned connections, Made sure it had a good ground, Still won't fire.

Pulled a plug and I not getting spark. So talking with my buddy Justin he seems to think it's the Coil, Since the key was left on it could have burned it up.

What puzzles me is the fuel and battery gauge not responding to the key being turned on. I have pulled and checked all fuses (with a ohm meter) they are good.

So guess I will start with the coil next.
 
Jeep dealer shop foreman chiming in here...

Turn key on, notice the gauges are dead, unplug the crank sensor (rear of intake, 3 wire plug), listen for relays in the PDC to activate, see if your gauges now function. I suspect the crank sensor has shorted, causes no BUS from the PCM to the cluster.

If the gauges work after unplugging the crank sensor, get a new crank sensor. If not, begin unplugging and sensor on the 5 volt reference circuit until the gauges work.

Seen this a million times at my dealership.

Good luck. Feel free to PM me as needed.
 
WNC Custom Jeeps said:
Jeep dealer shop foreman chiming in here...
Turn key on, notice the gauges are dead, unplug the crank sensor (rear of intake, 3 wire plug), listen for relays in the PDC to activate, see if your gauges now function. I suspect the crank sensor has shorted, causes no BUS from the PCM to the cluster.
If the gauges work after unplugging the crank sensor, get a new crank sensor. If not, begin unplugging and sensor on the 5 volt reference circuit until the gauges work.
Seen this a million times at my dealership.
Good luck. Feel free to PM me as needed.
Click to expand...

Thanks,

Some of the best help yet, That makes sense, I will try it and see if that helps.
 
Well it's alive again,

I swapped the ECU from my father in laws jeep and it fired right up. I must have blown it some how or leaving the key on for a long period of time shorted it out.

Which ever I am just glad I got it going again.

Now I just need to find a ECU for a 97 Jeep TJ 2.5 liter, I think my father in law might want his back.

Thanks, Again for all the help.
 
What was wrong with your father in laws's jeep? Im gonna go out on a limb and say it wasnt the ecu.
 
RHSCTJ said:
What was wrong with your father in laws's jeep? Im gonna go out on a limb and say it wasnt the ecu.
Click to expand...

I will work on it this weekend, He thought was alarm related so I removed the cheapo alarm today, but I already had the ECU out so I was unable to try and start.

I going to say his will be the CPS sensor by the way it's acting.
 
Back
Top