Grand Wagoneer Won't Start

JustinPolley · 05-26-2010, 11:32 PM

I have an 88 Grand Wagoneer with 500 mile on a rebuild. It just won't start, I was diving it and it just stopped running and won't fire back up. It seems to try to fire when I let go of the key. I have replaced the connectors on the coil, the coil the cap and the rotor. When i attach the connectors on the coil i get a spark, when i pull the wire from the coil to the distributor i get a spark (but only right when the key turns and right when its let go but no fire in between).No spark at the plugs. plugs and wires only have 500 miles, halifax 400. I messed with it all day and can't get it to start.

**megajeep** · 05-27-2010, 05:27 AM

Why it quit while running i can't say, but I have a similar starting problem with both my jeep and my motorcycle when my battery is weak. It seems that there is enough power to turn the starter, but the ignition isn't getting enough juice to fire until the moment I let go of the key and the ignition gets the power it needs.

It that case it always starts with the help of my battery charger on 50 amp start setting.

I have a drain in my jeep that kills my battery if I have my dome light fuse installed and have had plenty of experience with a weak battery.

So to me it sounds like a problem with the battery, regulator, or ignition module.

There is also a resistor wire that can go bad and cause ignition problems. Its a red wire with a gold stripe. I believe the symptom of it going bad is a good start cold then runs bad or quits after it gets warmed up and progresses to not starting at all. The wire is located in the engine harness. It starts in a slice up at the firewall and ends in a slice down by the front of the engine before it reaches the coil.

JustinPolley · 05-27-2010, 09:37 AM

Charged the battery, replaces the ECM still nothing. Not sure what regulator your talking about.

JustinPolley · 05-27-2010, 09:44 AM

If you're talking about the voltage regulator in the alternator the whole unit is brand new.

**BioTex** · 05-27-2010, 11:11 AM

I remember reading about why the engine fires when you let go of the key.
JeepHammer over on the CJ forum told me why a couple of years ago, but can't remember the details.
Had something to do with voltage drop due to cranking, and a resistor or resistor wire was supposed to fix this. I did a quick search, but could not find that post.

carnuck · 06-09-2010, 11:36 PM

Could be burnt ignition resistor wire (power directly the the coil + will fire it up) or bad pickup coil in the dist