1988 JEEP CHEROKEE ignition

Water Pump Malfunction Replace Water Pump
Fan Clutch Malfunction Replace Fan Clutch
Retarded Ignition Timing Reset Ignition Timing
Cooling Fan Malfunction Test Cooling Fan/
Circuit
Cooling Fan Motor
Malfunction Test Fan Motor
Cooling Fan Relay
Malfunction Test Fan Relay
Faulty Radiator Cap Replace Radiator Cap
Broken/Slipping Fan Belt Replace Fan Belt
Restricted Exhaust Repair Exhaust System









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Corrosion Impurities In Coolant Clean/Flush System








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Coolant Leakage Damaged hose Replace Hose
Leaky Water Pump Replace Water Pump
Damaged Radiator Seam Replace/Repair Radiator
Leaky Thermostat Cover Replace Thermostat
Cover
Cylinder Head Problem Check Head/Head Gasket
Leaky Freeze Plugs Replace Freeze Plugs









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Recovery System Inoperative
Loose and/or Defective
Radiator Cap Replace Radiator Cap
Overflow Tube Clogged
and/or Leaking Repair Tube
Recovery Bottle Vent
Restricted Clean Vent









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No Heater Core Flow
Collapsed Heater Hose Replace Heater Hose
Plugged Heater Core Clean/Replace Heater
Core
Faulty Heater Valve Replace Heater Valve









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GASOLINE ENGINE - MECHANICAL TROUBLE SHOOTING
NOTE: This is GENERAL information. This article is not intended
to be specific to any unique situation or individual vehicle
configuration. The purpose of this Trouble Shooting
information is to provide a list of common causes to
problem symptoms. For model-specific Trouble Shooting,
refer to SUBJECT, DIAGNOSTIC, or TESTING articles available

Incorrect ignition timing Reset ignition timing,
See TUNE-UP
Leaking valves Replace valves, See
ENGINES
Worn fuel pump diaphragm Replace diaphragm or
or piston piston









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Intake Backfire Improper ignition timing Reset ignition timing,
See TUNE-UP
Faulty accelerator pump Replace accelerator
discharge pump
Improper choke operation Check choke and adjust
as required
Defective EGR valve Replace EGR valve
Fuel mixture too lean Reset air/fuel mixture,
See TUNE-UP
Choke valve initial Reset choke valve
clearance too large initial clearance









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Exhaust Backfire Vacuum leak Inspect and repair
vacuum system
Faulty vacuum diverter Replace vacuum diverter
valve valve
Faulty choke operation Check choke and adjust
as required
Exhaust system leak repair exhaust system
leak









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Engine Ignition timing too far Reset ignition timing,
Detonation advanced See TUNE-UP
Faulty ignition system Check ignition timing,
See TUNE-UP
Spark plugs loose or Retighten or replace
faulty plugs
Fuel delivery system Inspect lines, pump and
clogged filter for clog
EGR valve inoperative Replace EGR valve
PCV system inoperative Inspect and/or replace
hoses or valve
Vacuum leaks Check vacuum system and
repair leaks
Excessive combustion
chamber deposits Remove built-up
deposits
Leaking, sticking or Inspect and/or replace
broken valves valves









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External Oil Fuel pump improperly seated Remove pump, replace
Leakage or worn gasket gasket and seat
properly
Oil pan gasket broken or Straighten pan and
pan bent replace gasket
Timing chain cover gasket Replace timing chain
broken cover gasket
Rear main oil seal worn Replace rear main oil
seal
Oil pan drain plug not Remove and reinstall
seated properly drain plug
Camshaft bearing drain Remove restriction
hole blocked
Oil pressure sending Remove and reinstall
switch leaking sending switch









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Missing valve lock Install new valve lock
Excessively worn camshaft Replace camshaft, See
lobes ENGINES
Plugged valve lifter oil Eliminate restriction
holes or replace lifter
Faulty valve lifter check Replace lifter check
ball ball, See ENGINES
Rocker arm nut installed Remove and reinstall
upside down correctly
Valve lifter incorrect for Remove and replace
engine valve lifters
Faulty push rod seat or Replace plunger or push
lifter plunger rod









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Noisy Valves Improper valve lash Re-adjust valve lash,
See ENGINES
Worn or dirty valve lifters Clean and/or replace
lifters
Worn valve guides Replace valve guides,
See ENGINES
Excessive valve seat or Reface seats or valve
face run-out face
Worn camshaft lobes Replace camshaft, See
ENGINES
Loose rocker arm studs Re-tighten rocker arm
studs, See ENGINES
Bent push rods Replace push rods, See
ENGINES
Broken valve springs Replace valve springs,
See ENGINES









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Burned,Sticking Weak valve springs or Replace valves and/or
or Broken Valves warped valves springs, See ENGINES
Improper lifter clearance Re-adjust clearance or
replace lifters
Worn guides or improper Replace valve guides,
guide clearance See ENGINES
Out-of-round valve seats Re-grind valve seats
or improper seat width
Gum deposits on valve Remove deposits
stems, seats or guides
Improper spark timing Re-adjust spark timing









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Broken Undersize pistons Replace with larger
Pistons/Rings pistons, See ENGINES
Wrong piston rings Replace with correct
rings, See ENGINES
Out-of-round cylinder bore Re-bore cylinder bore
Improper connecting rod Remove and realign
alignment connecting rods
Excessively worn ring Replace pistons, See
grooves ENGINES
Improperly assembled Re-assemble pin-to
piston pins -piston, See ENGINES
Insufficient ring gap Install new rings, See
clearance ENGINES
Engine overheating Check cooling system
Incorrect ignition timing Re-adjust ignition
timing, See TUNE-UP









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Excessive Leaks at manifold to Replace manifold or
Exhaust Noise head, or to pipe pipe gasket
Exhaust manifold Replace exhaust

Low fuel pressure Test pressure regul-
ator and fuel pump,
check for restricted
lines and filters
No distributor reference Repair ignition
pulses system as necessary
Open coolant temperature Test sensor and
sensor circuit wiring
Shorted W.O.T. switch in Disconnect W.O.T.
T.P.S. switch, engine
should start
Defective ECM Replace ECM
Fuel tank residual pressure Test for fuel
valve leaks pressure drop after
shut down









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Hard Starting Disconnected hot air tube Reconnect tube and
to air cleaner test control valve
Defective Idle Air Control Test valve operation
(IAC) valve and circuit
Shorted, open or misadjusted Test and adjust or
T.P.S. replace T.P.S.
EGR valve open Test EGR valve and
control circuit
Poor Oxygen sensor signal Test for shorted or
circuit
Incorrect mixture from PCV Test PCV for flow,
system check sealing of oil
filter cap









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Poor High Speed Low fuel pump volume Faulty pump or
Operation restricted fuel
lines or filters
Poor MAP sensor signal Test MAP sensor,
vacuum hose and
wiring
Poor Oxygen sensor signal Test for shorted or
open sensor or
circuit
Open coolant temperature Test sensor and
sensor circuit wiring
Faulty ignition operation Check wires for
cracks or poor con-
nections, test
secondary voltage
with oscilloscope
Contaminated fuel Test fuel for water

or alcohol
Intermittent ECM ground Test ECM ground
connection for
resistance
Restricted air cleaner Replace air cleaner
Restricted exhaust system Test for exhaust
manifold back
pressure
Poor MAF sensor signal Check leakage
between sensor and
manifold
Poor VSS signal If tester for ALCL
hook-up is available
check that VSS
reading matches
speedometer









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Ping or Knock on Poor Knock sensor signal Test for shorted or
Acceleration open sensor or
circuit
Poor Baro sensor signal Test for shorted or
open sensor or
circuit
Improper ignition timing See VEHICLE EMISSION
CONTROL LABEL (where
applicable)
Check for engine Low coolant, loose
overheating problems belts or electric
cooling fan
inoperative









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NOTE: For additional electronic fuel injection trouble shooting
information, see the appropriate article in the ENGINE
PERFORMANCE section (not all vehicles have Computer Engine
Control articles). Information is provided there for
diagnosing fuel system problems on vehicles with electronic
fuel injection.
IGNITION SYSTEM TROUBLE SHOOTING
NOTE: This is GENERAL information. This article is not intended
to be specific to any unique situation or individual vehicle
configuration. The purpose of this Trouble Shooting
information is to provide a list of common causes to
problem symptoms. For model-specific Trouble Shooting,
refer to SUBJECT, DIAGNOSTIC, or TESTING articles available
in the section(s) you are accessing.
Ignition Secondary Trouble Shooting Chart








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START: Visually inspect Spark Plug Wires, Coil Wires, 

Plug Wire Boots, Rotor, and Distributor Cap for 

signs of damage. 










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OK   NOT OK 




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* To test secondary ignition   * Repair or replace 

system, modify a Spark Plug   damaged components 

by attaching a ground wire   as necessary 

to the body of the plug and  









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widening the gap to 1/4-3/8".

Disconnect spark plug wire 

and insert test plug. Ground 

plug, crank engine, and 

check for spark. 










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GOOD SPARK   NO SPARK 









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* If plug sparks, driveability   * Remove coil wire from the 

problem is most likely NOT   distributor and attach the 

in the ignition system.   modified spark plug. Ground 










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 the plug and crank engine 
 while checking for spark. 









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GOOD SPARK   NO SPARK 









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* If plug has a good spark,   * Proceed to the IGNITION 

the problem is in the plug   PRIMARY TROUBLE SHOOTING 

wires, distributor cap, or   CHECK CHART below in this 

rotor. Replace components   article. 

as necessary.  









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Ignition Primary Trouble Shooting Chart








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START: Visually inspect primary ignition wires for 

broken, frayed, split, or cut wires. Also check 

for loose, corroded, or disconnected connectors. 










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OK   NOT OK 




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* Check that battery voltage   * Repair or replace damaged 

is at least 11.5 volts.   components as necessary. 










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NOT OK   OK 








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* Replace or recharge the   * Check for battery voltage 

battery.   at the positive terminal of 










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 the coil. 









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 OK   NOT OK 




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* Check air Gap of the Pick-Up   * Check resistance of ballast 

coil in the distributor.   resistor (if used) for the 










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 correct resistance value. 
 








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OK   NOT OK  




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* Check Pick-Up coil for   * Adjust or replace as  

correct resistance value.   necessary.  










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NOT OK   OK  








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* Replace Pick-Up coil if   * Check control module for  

not to specification.   good ground connections.  










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OK  




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* If vehicle fails to run at this point, go to  
 the appropriate article in the ENGINE  
 PERFORMANCE section.  









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OK   NOT OK 




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* Check wires from the battery/  * Replace ballast resistor 

ignition switch to the coil.   if the measured resistance 

Also check the coil primary   value is not within 

and secondary resistance.   specification. 










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STARTER TROUBLE SHOOTING
NOTE: This is GENERAL information. This article is not intended
to be specific to any unique situation or individual vehicle
configuration. The purpose of this Trouble Shooting
information is to provide a list of common causes to
problem symptoms. For model-specific Trouble Shooting,
refer to SUBJECT, DIAGNOSTIC, or TESTING articles available
in the section(s) you are accessing.
BASIC STARTER TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART









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CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTION








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Starter Fails Dead battery or bad Check battery charge
to Operate connections between and all wires and
starter and battery connections to starter

Ignition switch faulty Adjust or replace
or misadjusted ignition switch
Open circuit between Check and repair wires
starter switch ignition and connections as
terminal on starter relay necessary
Starter relay or starter See Testing in STARTER
defective article
Open solenoid pull-in See Testing in STARTER
wire article









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Starter Does Not Weak battery or dead Charge or replace
Operate and cell battery as necessary
Headlights Dim
Loose or corroded battery Check that battery
connections connections are clean
and tight
Internal ground in See Testing in STARTER
starter windings article
Grounded starter fields See Testing in STARTERS
Armature rubbing on pole See STARTER article
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Starter Turns Starter clutch slipping See STARTER article
but Engine
Does Not Rotate
Broken clutch housing See STARTER article
Pinion shaft rusted or See STARTER article
dry
Engine basic timing See Ignition Timing in
incorrect TUNE-UP article
Broken teeth on engine Replace flywheel and
flywheel check for starter pinion
gear damage









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Starter Will Not Faulty overrunning See STARTER article
Crank Engine clutch
Broken clutch housing See STARTER article
Broken flywheel teeth Replace flywheel and
check for starter pinion
gear damage
Armature shaft sheared See STARTER article
or reduction gear teeth
stripped
Weak battery Charge or replace
battery as necessary
Faulty solenoid See On-Vehicle Tests in
STARTER article
Poor grounds Check all ground