1989 Jeep Comanche - Crank but won't turn over.

[dotnetrob]

Have a new to me 1989 Jeep Comanche Pioneer, Automatic, inline 4.0, 4x4.   Bought it a month ago, drove it 600 miles home and have started the long restoration process.  But now it won't start.  Have already found some good post on step by step things to check but have a small twist that may change the order or help diagnose the problem.

 

It has always cranked a few times before turning over.  Today I needed to move it out of the garage to get to mower.  Started it up, usual couple of cranks and it started.  Put it in reverse, got it out of the garage and it died...  first time it has ever died while running on me, of course I have only had it a month.  Now it cranks but never turns over.   Not sure if they fact it died, had a long crank in the first place, and won't start help narrow down what to test first.

 

What have I done to in the past month

1. replaced battery - had the wrong size battery in it from the previous owner - so replaced with new correct size battery
2. replaced the power and ground wires with kit from jeep cables, the power wires and ground wires that were in it junk, bare wire showing and destroyed.  replaced 2 weeks ago - has started 20+ times since then.
3. installed new radio
4. fixed rear brakes - they didn't work at all  and it failed state inspection, so had to get this done.  Now inspection is done. :) 
5. changed air filter, old one was way past due.

 

[fiatslug87]

Do you hear the fuel pump prime when you turn the key before cranking?

[Bhase]

I’m in a similar situation. I am trying to start mine for the first time after swapping to a stroked 4.7, it cranks but no spark. Doing some research I checked the CPS and the ignition coil. Both of mine are good but you should start there. Hopefully someone else knows what to check next if yours are also good. 

[dotnetrob]

19 hours ago, fiatslug87 said:

Do you hear the fuel pump prime when you turn the key before cranking?

 

Fuel pump sounds like its coming on.

[fiatslug87]

Then check the CPS as stated above. Sometimes if you disconnect and reconnect the CPS it fires up.

[dotnetrob]

26 minutes ago, fiatslug87 said:

Then check the CPS as stated above. Sometimes if you disconnect and reconnect the CPS it fires up.

 

1 hour ago, Bhase said:

I’m in a similar situation. I am trying to start mine for the first time after swapping to a stroked 4.7, it cranks but no spark. Doing some research I checked the CPS and the ignition coil. Both of mine are good but you should start there. Hopefully someone else knows what to check next if yours are also good. 

 

CPS Readings

245 ohms

.3 AC volts.  

 

will check ignition coil next.

 

[fiatslug87]

According to Cruiser’s tips 0.3v is too low.

https://comancheclub.com/topic/73466-7-–-cps-testing-and-adjusting/