Cranking but not starting

[L-Beez]

Hey guys I need some help with getting my Jeep started.

Just replaced the battery and alternator last week and it has been running fine for the past few days.

Attempted to start it this morning and it is cranking but it isn’t starting. The weirdest part is on the dash, the battery shows no charge, and I have half a tank but the fuel gauge is not engaging either.

Checked all the fuses, and connections and everything seems fine. As stated it is cranking but not starting.

Could it be the ignition coil or the distributor?

Any advise welcome. This is my daily driver so the sooner I could get this fixed the better.

Thanks,

 

[Alex01]

Fuel pump? If you can get some help you can remove the intake tube and spray some starter fluid down the hole while trying to crank it over. If it starts you're not getting fuel.

 

[L-Beez]

Fuel pump? If you can get some help you can remove the intake tube and spray some starter fluid down the hole while trying to crank it over. If it starts you're not getting fuel.

Yeah I was gonna walk down to the parts store and pick some up to see if that’s it. I’m hoping not though. I’m assuming that it’s either fuel pump or spark somewhere.

It was just running fine yesterday

 

[Alex01]

Before you go to the store check to see if any fuses are blown.

 

[L-Beez]

Before you go to the store check to see if any fuses are blown.

Yeah I checked all the fuses and they all seem to be ok.

 

[L-Beez]

Tried putting some starter fluid in the throttle body and tried a new starter coil but still no luck. Any other ideas?

 

[Alex01]

So it must be a spark issue. Does a 98 have a distributor? I don't have any experience with engines built.

@Chris?

 

[L-Beez]

Yeah it does have a distributor on it.

 

[Chris]

So it must be a spark issue. Does a 98 have a distributor? I don't have any experience with engines built.

@Chris?

98 should have a distributor, yes.

 

[Chris]

Always, always, always start with the simplest solution. Take the battery out and bring it to your local auto part store or Batteries Plus. They'll do a load test on it and that will quickly tell you if the battery is bad.

It sure sounds to me like a battery issue.

 

[Alex01]

Have you inspected the cap and rotor?

 

[Nimbley]

You need to find out if you’re not getting spark or fuel. If it cranks, it’s not the battery for sure. Pull a plug wire and hold it next to a ground source away from the battery while someone cranks it to see if there’s spark. The dash lights is an indication that you’re probably not getting 12v to the either the distributor or fuel pump. May be a blown main fuse or fuse link. Also could be the fuel pump relay but that wouldn’t affect the dash lights or gauges.

 

[L-Beez]

***UPDATE***

Hey guys,

Checked all the above and nothing seemed to resolve the issue. Wasn’t getting any spark so I check distributor, crank, leads and all seemed fine so I was thinking it was the ECM possibly.

Before ordering the part I did a little testing and found that it was the Crank Position Sensor was bad. Went and picked one up and swapped it now it is running!

Thanks guys for all your help!