Topic: 1988 Jeep. Cranks wont start.

[Snakebiteloo]

So i have  a1988 Jeep that will not start.

Has fuel and spark.

It cranks over fine but wont start, when i release the key and it returns to the run position it will kick over and (sometimes) start.
My best guess is that the timing is off by one or 2 teeth or maybe the distributor is off a little. Any ideas?

[Snakebiteloo]

Also its carbureted if it makes a difference, pretty sure its not the original engine but i cant find what it actually is. Pretty sure its a 1983 jeep engine, inline 6

[ArticSteve]

88s were FI.  Had one.  Think you are on the right trail.

[blur911]

Wasn't that a symptom of the old ballast resistor in the ignition system  (or was it fuel-pump?) being frakked?

[Fobroader]

Thats the old horrid Renault FI system......check the distributor

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

[blur911]

Ok, so if the ballast resistor for the fuel pump were pooched it would have the opposite problem,  it would fire up while the starter was cranking, but stall immediately when ignition switch returns to the ON position.

But, I recall the opposite problem and pretty much what you are describing  in that era Chryslers when the ignition ballast resistor was dying, did Jeep use/buy a similar system?

[Snakebiteloo]

ICM. Who the F*** decided that behind the front wheel was a good place for that? Almost 1/4 of it was gone... not fallen off but rotted away, so much salt packed into it. The bottom bolt was still in and holding part of the bracket but that bracket was no longer attached to the rest of it. Anyway, replaced that and with the help of some carb cleaner it ran on 2 year old gas (somehow). Now to fix the (also really stupid) actuator for the 4x4, mount a plow, and maybe put a vacuum line or 2 on it (seeing as the last owner removed all but the timing advance). Why are jeeps so popular for off road exactly? It seems like you would have to replace literally everything or risk it falling apart around you.

[ArticSteve]

ICM. Who the F*** decided that behind the front wheel was a good place for that? Almost 1/4 of it was gone...

Look under carpet below drivers feet under carpet and you'll find power window main wiring harness.  Or what's left of it.

[Snakebiteloo]

No power windows in this one thankfully. It runs and that is pretty much the only thing that matters