94 Jeep Cherokee won't start
45

Asked by Stephanie Sep 22, 2015 at 08:30 PM about the 1994 Jeep Cherokee SE 4-Door 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I recently bought a 94 Jeep Cherokee 2.5 l4, manual 4x4 SE. Old owner
said they were smelling gas right before it stalled while they were driving.
That was in October of 2014 and it hasn't been started since. I checked the
compression but didn't do a wet compression test so I'm not sure how
accurate the results were. Was 42, 63, 87 and 120. Of course the battery
was dying so halfway through I hooked up jumpers, not sure if maybe the
faster cranking made the results spike. Changed the plugs and wires, cap
and rotor. Poked at the valve on the fuel rail and it's getting pressure just
not sure how much. I'm thinking about getting into the engine to see if there
might be coolant in there. Haven't checked the timing chain yet cuz I'm
having a hell of a time getting the tensioner off. I heard there was a trick to
get the codes on it by flipping the key to accessory a few times but I can't
get it to work. If anyone has ANY suggestions at all as to what I should do
next that would be greatly appreciated. I'm not sure if it's getting spark or
not. I've got the radiator taken out and the valve cover off so I can get to
the heads and check for cracks and such. Thank you!

3 Answers
223,905

Rowefast answered 9 years ago

Wow, you have your hand full. I can make a few suggestions one being is you need a good battery for diagnostics. Low cranking speed will affect the compression test, and the compression test can tell you if there is a blown head gasket, or possible cracked head. Sounds like it hasn't run in a year, so the only reliable compression readings you will get is from the wet test as you call it. Compression needs to be 120 lbs. min. and vary no more than 15 percent. Fuel pressure is a must. They smelled gas so it needs to be checked never the less. And spark, need to get spark, check everything. The timing part I would not worry about until it starts because it was running before, and probably has not ben disturbed. I'll be watching for questions, along with the other guys here, there a good bunch.

Mark helpful

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