NEED HELP ASAP

[sebasshole]

Hey everyone i have alittle problem that i cant figure out.
I bought a 1988 jeep cherokee LTD a few days ago and put it to work rite away.
So i took it out for alittle joy ride and now it runs like garbage.
I got stuck in mud up to the doors, while waiting for my buddy to come pull me out
i left the truck running cause it was bogging and i was worried that it wouldent start
if i turned it off and i would be really stuck.
So after getting the truck out it started to run like crap.
If i give it throttle the motor chokes and slowly increases rpm
driving same thing. ALONG with running like crap the battery stopped holding a charge
or the alternator stopped charging, i drove it home, barely.
I cleaned the distributor and sure enough there was water and a bit of oil? in there so i cleaned
it out and cleaned the connectors. i also cleaned the battery terminals.
Truck still boggs. Now the battery is dead and only starts with a boost.
Tommorow i am going to get the truck down to the car wash to give the motor a good cleaning
since there is mud everywhere and something might be shorting out.

Anyone ever have this problem? Could it be the alternator causing the car to run bad?
maybe the distributor? I have no idea and i am not familier with jeeps or domestics of any sort.
Any help is greatly appreciated! thanks!

[WhiteOut]

Did you pull the plugs and the air filter?  Diff oil will need to be changed I can almost guarantee, check the tranny fluid.  Are your alternator and battery caked with mud?

[sebasshole]

so iv been searching.

 Re: Jeep Won't start after minor water bath
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2009, 01:17:11 PM » Quote  

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I'm not too familar with the wiring on your specific rig, but check your fuses for injection and ignition. The water could have shorted something and took out a fuse.


Re: 88 Commanche 4L no start
« Reply #5 on: March 22, 2009, 09:53:00 PM » Quote  

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Save time and money and just do the CPS. Its located on the tranny bell housing at about the 1 o'clock as if you were viewing the engine from the front. The connector for it is near the back of the engine, driver's side, near the fuel rail. If you can find the wire you can follow it down to the sensor.

I find it is easiest to change using a 3/8" ratchet, some extensions, a universal joint and I believe a 10mm socket. Lay under the jeep and snake your left hand up the back of the engine to hold the socket on the bolt head. With the right hand guide the ratchet and extensions up along the the drivers side of the tranny.



im gona try these tommorow, anyone have any ideas?

[sebasshole]

i cleaned the plugs and air filter. still boggs. and yea your prolly right diff fluid will have to be changed.

The battery is clean but the alternator is covered in mud. im gona try cleaning it tommorow

[Pookapotamus]

the altenator is mounted pretty low in the xj if you left it running in the mud you have a very good chance of overheating and cooking the alt, it should not affect the running of the engine.

[esi]

the altenator is mounted pretty low in the xj if you left it running in the mud you have a very good chance of overheating and cooking the alt, it should not affect the running of the engine.

If the battery has low charge it would affect how the engine runs. The coil can't make enough spark to run properly

[sebasshole]

So i washed the engine and replaced the battery.
the truck runs ok, pretty gutless.
so it runs and starts now but the battery guage reads low all the time.
at about 9 volts? never goes up but never goes down so you guys are prolly rite about
the alternator being pooped. so im gona try replacing it this weekend.

[OffRoadNewbie]

before you replace it ....well its running carefuly tap the case with a hammer couls still be caked in mud (inside) a tap or two will shake it loose .....worked for me