98_JeepChero

Hi everyone i'm new the Jeep forum. My neighbor is selling her brothers 1998 Jeep Cherokee and I need some advice on whether to purchase it or not. Here's the problem. The Jeep has been sitting in her driveway for 2 years, it has never been started or driven for 2 years. The jeep does not start, her son-inlaw thinks it's the starter but he does not know for sure. She wants to sell it to me for $1200 as is. Can you guys give any help on what possible problems could cause the car not to start or is this car just a lemon and I should stay away from it? Thanks

LostSoul

If it has been sitting that long it could be battery or starter or even wiring. Why was it parked and why so long? You do not want to fire it up with two year old fuel either. A non running 98 XJ is not worth $1200 in my books.

swamper

check the unibody very good trust me i know they like to rot

Mr White

iTrader: (1)

Come on guys, sometimes its well worth the price and I really don't think thats a bad price at all. Yes you can crawl underneath and check and probably see rusted rocker panels, big deal, my old 89 xj had Styrofoam painted over to look good, I removed them and put steel rockrails.my floor was the rug, no steel left on the drivers side. Why it don't start cud be battery dead, try jumping it, if that don't work. Then check to make sure there is spark and that fuel is getting to the injectors. Whats the mileage (just curious) probably quite low.In my opinion thats a new vehicle 12 yrs old. Mine was 18 yrs old. What motor is in it? The inline 6? Just ck'd the net for pricing on some cherokees these are US prices 96-2500-140K, 98-7000-135k, 96-4200-120k. Just a few. Get it to start, you want to hear the motor. Another thing to think about is that if your in Que. its not been plated for 2 yrs probably so it will need a MOT inspection.. Whatever province your in check this little bit for Bull, it can be costly.

98_JeepChero

From what she told me her son in-law he was able charge the battery but the car would not turn over and he suspects that the issue is the starter. Also, they were able to move the car a few houses down so that they could have a garage sale in their driveway and then bring it back again. From what she said they pushed the car. So hopefully this would mean that the brakes are working and nothing has seized. I did notice that the last time the license plate was renewed was in 2007 and they would have had to pass emissions to renew the plate. So i'm thinking that the car maybe in good running condition. Is it normal for a starter to go if the car has not been used in 2 years?

LostSoul

Any electronic motor like a starter or an alternator can seize from sitting, we had fresh rebuilt units sit for a period and seize up.

Kazman

Sounds like an alright deal. Where are you from, cause I will be selling my 98 Grand 4x4 4.0L, in about a month that only needs a few small things with tons of new parts and it's in really good shape, I will be asking $1700 firm as-is but mine runs and drives out great, as I am driving it right now. Has all new recent brakes (pads & rotors), new front wheel bearing (the good ones) and U joints, new alternator, rebuilt transmission, A/C has been repaired and blow freezing cold,

Savasa

Greetings,
Mr. '98...A little more information please. Where are you located? What engine and how many Km's? Can you wrench? How many $$ are available for you to put into the vehicle? What is general condition (interior, rust etc.)
I don't mean to get personal but a vehicle that has been parked (for unknown reasons) for 2 years has detriorated. Underbody, rubber fittings (suspension, for example, brake hoses etc.) upholstery (sun damage) and a host of other things.
Get your neighbor to get the vehicle started so you can hear and possibly drive it. Does the 4WD work? Manhy more questions...For $1700, Kazman may be a better deal. Be critical!!!!
Peter

98_JeepChero

Unfortunately she did not record the milage when her son in-law tried to start it. I'm located in Canada. It's a I6 4x4. The license plate was renewed in 2008 so the car was running and it passed the emissions tests in order to renew the license plate. So i'm thinking that the car is in good running condition. I also read that the Crankshaft Position Sensor on Jeeps is big complaint. Could this be why the jeep is not starting instead of the starter? Do you guys think this is a good investment or are there too many unknown variables with the jeep and I should just stay away from it?

Kazman

Well being that they cannot provide some important information, I would have to say that it isn't worth buying at all. And that is not that I am trying to sell mine either. The crank position sensor may cause a no start too, but you are dealing with far to many unknowns. As for where you located. You just replied Canada, bit more info please? Ontario, Quebec etc. Do you live somewhere where there is snow 6 months of the year kind of thing, as this would most likely give me thoughts that this Jeep your looking at is rusted badly underneath. And a big no no many people do when letting a vehicle sit, is they park it on grass or gravel etc, which will allow alot of moisture damage the under body, brake lines etc.