1988 JEEP CHEROKEE check engine

Air in fuel system Bleed air from system
Incorrect or contaminated Replace fuel
fuel
Injector nozzle malfunction Check nozzles, see
FUEL SYSTEMS









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Engines Starts Injection pump timing Reset pump timing, see
and Idles Rough incorrect FUEL SYSTEMS
W/out Smoke or Engine not fully broken in Put more miles on
Noise, But Clears engine
After Warm-Up Air in system Bleed air from system
Injector nozzle malfunction Check nozzles, see
FUEL SYSTEMS









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Engine Idles Blocked fuel filter Replace fuel filter
Correctly, Injection pump timing Reset pump timing, see
Misfires Above incorrect FUEL SYSTEMS
Idle Incorrect or contaminated Replace fuel
fuel









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Engine Won't Fast idle adjustment Reset fast idle, see
Return To Idle incorrect TUNE-UP
Internal injection pump Replace injection pump,
malfunction see FUEL SYSTEMS
External linkage binding Check linkage and
remove binding









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Fuel Leaks On Loose or broken fuel line Check lines and
Ground connections
Internal injection pump Replace injection pump,
seal leak see FUEL SYSTEMS









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Cylinder Injector nozzles sticking Test injectors, see
Knocking Noise open FUEL SYSTEMS
Very low nozzle opening Test injectors and/or
pressure replace









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Loss of Engine Restricted air intake Remove restriction
Power EGR valve malfunction Replace EGR valve
Blocked or damaged exhaust Remove restriction
system and/or replace
components
Blocked fuel tank filter Replace filter
Restricted fuel filter Remove restriction
and/or replace filter
Block vent in gas cap Remove restriction
and/or replace cap
Tank-to-injection pump fuel Check fuel lines and
supply blocked connections
Blocked fuel return system Remove restriction
Incorrect or contaminated Replace fuel
fuel
Blocked injector nozzles Check nozzle for
blockage, see FUEL
SYSTEMS
Low compression Check valves, rings,
pistons, see ENGINES









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Loud Engine Basic timing incorrect Reset timing, see
Noise With Black FUEL SYSTEMS
Smoke EGR valve malfunction Replace EGR valve
Internal injection pump Replace injection pump,
malfunction see FUEL SYSTEMS

Incorrect injector pump Check pressure, see
housing pressure FUEL SYSTEMS









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Engine Cooling system leaks Check cooling system
Overheating and repair leaks
Belt slipping or damaged Check tension and/or
replace belt
Thermostat stuck closed Remove and replace
thermostat, see
ENGINE COOLING
Head gasket leaking Replace head gasket









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Oil Light on at Low oil pump pressure Check oil pump
Idle operation, see ENGINES
Oil cooler or line Remove restriction
restricted and/or replace cooler









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Engine Won't Injector pump fuel solenoid Remove and check
Shut Off does not return fuel valve solenoid and replace
to OFF position if needed









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VACUUM PUMP DIAGNOSIS
Excessive Noise Loose pump-to-drive Tighten screws
assembly screws
Loose tube on pump assembly Tighten tube
Valves not functioning Replace valves
properly
Oil Leakage Loose end plug Tighten end plug
Bad seal crimp Remove and re-crimp
seal









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FUEL INJECTION 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 FUEL INJECTION TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART









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CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTION








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Engine Won't Cold start valve inoperative Test valve and
Start (Cranks circuit
Normally)
Poor connection;vacuum or Check vacuum and
wiring electrical
connections
Contaminated fuel Test fuel for water
or alcohol
Defective fuel pump relay Test relay and
or circuit wiring
Battery too low Charge and test
battery

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
shoes









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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

connections for
tight and clean
connections
Ignition switch faulty Adjust or replace
or misadjusted ignition switch as
necessary









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Starter Cranks Battery weak or Charge or replace
Engine Slowly defective battery as necessary
Engine overheated See ENGINE COOLING
SYSTEM article
Engine oil too heavy Check that proper
viscosity oil
is used
Poor battery-to-starter Check that all
connections between
battery and starter are
clean and tight
Current draw too low or See Bench Tests in
too high STARTER article
Bent armature, loose pole See STARTER article
shoes screws or worn
bearings
Burned solenoid contacts Replace solenoid
Faulty starter Replace starter









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Starter Engages Engine timing too far See Ignition Timing in
Engine Only advanced TUNE-UP article
Momentarily
Overrunning clutch not Replace overrunning
engaging properly clutch. See STARTER
article
Broken starter clutch See STARTER article
Broken teeth on engine Replace flywheel and
flywheel check starter pinion
gear for damage
Weak drive assembly See STARTER article
thrust spring
Weak hold-in coil See Bench Tests in
STARTER article









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Starter Drive Defective point assembly See Testing in STARTER
Will Not Engage article
Poor point assembly ground See Testing in STARTER
article
Defective pull-in coil Replace starter
solenoid









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Starter Relay Dead battery Charge or replace