88 Cherokee won't crank, lights do work
 

I have an 88 Jeep Cherokee with 260K. Yesterday the engine died while
in transit. When turning the key, there is no cranking to start the
engine, and none of the accessories work (radio, horn, turn signals).
It's as if there is no power. The headlights and hazzards work just
fine though. Nice and bright.

I checked the battery and all is well there as expected since the
headlights work. I replaced the ignition switch module thinking that
could be the only culprit, but still nothing.

Is there anything else I can check?

Thanks,

Jon

Re: 88 Cherokee won't crank, lights do work
 

MrClod wrote:
> I have an 88 Jeep Cherokee with 260K. Yesterday the engine died while
> in transit. When turning the key, there is no cranking to start the
> engine, and none of the accessories work (radio, horn, turn signals).
> It's as if there is no power. The headlights and hazzards work just
> fine though. Nice and bright.
>
> I checked the battery and all is well there as expected since the
> headlights work. I replaced the ignition switch module thinking that
> could be the only culprit, but still nothing.
>
> Is there anything else I can check?

fuses and ignition relay. Might want to see if there is a
melted cable running to the starter solinoid.

--
DougW

Re: 88 Cherokee won't crank, lights do work
 

MrClod wrote:
> I have an 88 Jeep Cherokee with 260K. Yesterday the engine died while
> in transit. When turning the key, there is no cranking to start the
> engine, and none of the accessories work (radio, horn, turn signals).
> It's as if there is no power. The headlights and hazzards work just
> fine though. Nice and bright.
>
> I checked the battery and all is well there as expected since the
> headlights work. I replaced the ignition switch module thinking that
> could be the only culprit, but still nothing.
>
> Is there anything else I can check?

fuses and ignition relay. Might want to see if there is a
melted cable running to the starter solinoid.

--
DougW

Re: 88 Cherokee won't crank, lights do work
 

MrClod wrote:
> I have an 88 Jeep Cherokee with 260K. Yesterday the engine died while
> in transit. When turning the key, there is no cranking to start the
> engine, and none of the accessories work (radio, horn, turn signals).
> It's as if there is no power. The headlights and hazzards work just
> fine though. Nice and bright.
>
> I checked the battery and all is well there as expected since the
> headlights work. I replaced the ignition switch module thinking that
> could be the only culprit, but still nothing.
>
> Is there anything else I can check?

fuses and ignition relay. Might want to see if there is a
melted cable running to the starter solinoid.

--
DougW

Re: 88 Cherokee won't crank, lights do work
 

Hmmm.... One common point for the power is off the starter
solenoid/relay on the fender by the battery. There you will find the
main battery power cable along with several fuse link wires off the same
bolt.

These fuse link wires power up the different sections of the wiring
harness. They are loops on one end at the bolt with about 8" of soft
fat wire and a big tube crimp connector where they joint the harness.
These 'can' wear out or blow if something shorts out. Look for burn
marks on the insulation or pull gently on them to see if they flop
around.

Having only headlights with power almost implies a blown fuse link wire.

'Maybe' a dead engine ground connection or a dead body ground connection
could be the issue. The body ground is a mesh strap that runs from the
back of the engine head up to the firewall. When this goes, it kills
the ignition, but not usually the starter power.

The starter power can be stopped if the negative cable is dirty at the
engine block. I test this and the body ground by using a booster cable
from the battery negative to the engine block and then to the body to
see if this makes any difference.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

MrClod wrote:
>
> I have an 88 Jeep Cherokee with 260K. Yesterday the engine died while
> in transit. When turning the key, there is no cranking to start the
> engine, and none of the accessories work (radio, horn, turn signals).
> It's as if there is no power. The headlights and hazzards work just
> fine though. Nice and bright.
>
> I checked the battery and all is well there as expected since the
> headlights work. I replaced the ignition switch module thinking that
> could be the only culprit, but still nothing.
>
> Is there anything else I can check?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jon

Re: 88 Cherokee won't crank, lights do work
 

Hmmm.... One common point for the power is off the starter
solenoid/relay on the fender by the battery. There you will find the
main battery power cable along with several fuse link wires off the same
bolt.

These fuse link wires power up the different sections of the wiring
harness. They are loops on one end at the bolt with about 8" of soft
fat wire and a big tube crimp connector where they joint the harness.
These 'can' wear out or blow if something shorts out. Look for burn
marks on the insulation or pull gently on them to see if they flop
around.

Having only headlights with power almost implies a blown fuse link wire.

'Maybe' a dead engine ground connection or a dead body ground connection
could be the issue. The body ground is a mesh strap that runs from the
back of the engine head up to the firewall. When this goes, it kills
the ignition, but not usually the starter power.

The starter power can be stopped if the negative cable is dirty at the
engine block. I test this and the body ground by using a booster cable
from the battery negative to the engine block and then to the body to
see if this makes any difference.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

MrClod wrote:
>
> I have an 88 Jeep Cherokee with 260K. Yesterday the engine died while
> in transit. When turning the key, there is no cranking to start the
> engine, and none of the accessories work (radio, horn, turn signals).
> It's as if there is no power. The headlights and hazzards work just
> fine though. Nice and bright.
>
> I checked the battery and all is well there as expected since the
> headlights work. I replaced the ignition switch module thinking that
> could be the only culprit, but still nothing.
>
> Is there anything else I can check?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jon

Re: 88 Cherokee won't crank, lights do work
 

Hmmm.... One common point for the power is off the starter
solenoid/relay on the fender by the battery. There you will find the
main battery power cable along with several fuse link wires off the same
bolt.

These fuse link wires power up the different sections of the wiring
harness. They are loops on one end at the bolt with about 8" of soft
fat wire and a big tube crimp connector where they joint the harness.
These 'can' wear out or blow if something shorts out. Look for burn
marks on the insulation or pull gently on them to see if they flop
around.

Having only headlights with power almost implies a blown fuse link wire.

'Maybe' a dead engine ground connection or a dead body ground connection
could be the issue. The body ground is a mesh strap that runs from the
back of the engine head up to the firewall. When this goes, it kills
the ignition, but not usually the starter power.

The starter power can be stopped if the negative cable is dirty at the
engine block. I test this and the body ground by using a booster cable
from the battery negative to the engine block and then to the body to
see if this makes any difference.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

MrClod wrote:
>
> I have an 88 Jeep Cherokee with 260K. Yesterday the engine died while
> in transit. When turning the key, there is no cranking to start the
> engine, and none of the accessories work (radio, horn, turn signals).
> It's as if there is no power. The headlights and hazzards work just
> fine though. Nice and bright.
>
> I checked the battery and all is well there as expected since the
> headlights work. I replaced the ignition switch module thinking that
> could be the only culprit, but still nothing.
>
> Is there anything else I can check?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jon

Re: 88 Cherokee won't crank, lights do work
 

Could he have kicked off the ignition switch connector?



On Mon, 20 Nov 2006, Mike Romain wrote:

> Hmmm.... One common point for the power is off the starter
> solenoid/relay on the fender by the battery. There you will find the
> main battery power cable along with several fuse link wires off the same
> bolt.
>
> These fuse link wires power up the different sections of the wiring
> harness. They are loops on one end at the bolt with about 8" of soft
> fat wire and a big tube crimp connector where they joint the harness.
> These 'can' wear out or blow if something shorts out. Look for burn
> marks on the insulation or pull gently on them to see if they flop
> around.
>
> Having only headlights with power almost implies a blown fuse link wire.
>
> 'Maybe' a dead engine ground connection or a dead body ground connection
> could be the issue. The body ground is a mesh strap that runs from the
> back of the engine head up to the firewall. When this goes, it kills
> the ignition, but not usually the starter power.
>
> The starter power can be stopped if the negative cable is dirty at the
> engine block. I test this and the body ground by using a booster cable
> from the battery negative to the engine block and then to the body to
> see if this makes any difference.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> MrClod wrote:
>>
>> I have an 88 Jeep Cherokee with 260K. Yesterday the engine died while
>> in transit. When turning the key, there is no cranking to start the
>> engine, and none of the accessories work (radio, horn, turn signals).
>> It's as if there is no power. The headlights and hazzards work just
>> fine though. Nice and bright.
>>
>> I checked the battery and all is well there as expected since the
>> headlights work. I replaced the ignition switch module thinking that
>> could be the only culprit, but still nothing.
>>
>> Is there anything else I can check?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Jon
>

--
"I defer to your plainly more vivid memories of topless women with
whips....r"
R. H. Draney recalls AFU in the Good Old Days.

Re: 88 Cherokee won't crank, lights do work
 

Could he have kicked off the ignition switch connector?



On Mon, 20 Nov 2006, Mike Romain wrote:

> Hmmm.... One common point for the power is off the starter
> solenoid/relay on the fender by the battery. There you will find the
> main battery power cable along with several fuse link wires off the same
> bolt.
>
> These fuse link wires power up the different sections of the wiring
> harness. They are loops on one end at the bolt with about 8" of soft
> fat wire and a big tube crimp connector where they joint the harness.
> These 'can' wear out or blow if something shorts out. Look for burn
> marks on the insulation or pull gently on them to see if they flop
> around.
>
> Having only headlights with power almost implies a blown fuse link wire.
>
> 'Maybe' a dead engine ground connection or a dead body ground connection
> could be the issue. The body ground is a mesh strap that runs from the
> back of the engine head up to the firewall. When this goes, it kills
> the ignition, but not usually the starter power.
>
> The starter power can be stopped if the negative cable is dirty at the
> engine block. I test this and the body ground by using a booster cable
> from the battery negative to the engine block and then to the body to
> see if this makes any difference.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> MrClod wrote:
>>
>> I have an 88 Jeep Cherokee with 260K. Yesterday the engine died while
>> in transit. When turning the key, there is no cranking to start the
>> engine, and none of the accessories work (radio, horn, turn signals).
>> It's as if there is no power. The headlights and hazzards work just
>> fine though. Nice and bright.
>>
>> I checked the battery and all is well there as expected since the
>> headlights work. I replaced the ignition switch module thinking that
>> could be the only culprit, but still nothing.
>>
>> Is there anything else I can check?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Jon
>

--
"I defer to your plainly more vivid memories of topless women with
whips....r"
R. H. Draney recalls AFU in the Good Old Days.

Re: 88 Cherokee won't crank, lights do work
 

Could he have kicked off the ignition switch connector?



On Mon, 20 Nov 2006, Mike Romain wrote:

> Hmmm.... One common point for the power is off the starter
> solenoid/relay on the fender by the battery. There you will find the
> main battery power cable along with several fuse link wires off the same
> bolt.
>
> These fuse link wires power up the different sections of the wiring
> harness. They are loops on one end at the bolt with about 8" of soft
> fat wire and a big tube crimp connector where they joint the harness.
> These 'can' wear out or blow if something shorts out. Look for burn
> marks on the insulation or pull gently on them to see if they flop
> around.
>
> Having only headlights with power almost implies a blown fuse link wire.
>
> 'Maybe' a dead engine ground connection or a dead body ground connection
> could be the issue. The body ground is a mesh strap that runs from the
> back of the engine head up to the firewall. When this goes, it kills
> the ignition, but not usually the starter power.
>
> The starter power can be stopped if the negative cable is dirty at the
> engine block. I test this and the body ground by using a booster cable
> from the battery negative to the engine block and then to the body to
> see if this makes any difference.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> MrClod wrote:
>>
>> I have an 88 Jeep Cherokee with 260K. Yesterday the engine died while
>> in transit. When turning the key, there is no cranking to start the
>> engine, and none of the accessories work (radio, horn, turn signals).
>> It's as if there is no power. The headlights and hazzards work just
>> fine though. Nice and bright.
>>
>> I checked the battery and all is well there as expected since the
>> headlights work. I replaced the ignition switch module thinking that
>> could be the only culprit, but still nothing.
>>
>> Is there anything else I can check?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Jon
>

--
"I defer to your plainly more vivid memories of topless women with
whips....r"
R. H. Draney recalls AFU in the Good Old Days.