'97 Wrangler won't start

35

Asked by Sarah Aug 02, 2013 at 08:26 AM about the 1997 Jeep Wrangler

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

A few days ago my Jeep overheated going down the road. I immediatly pulled over, let it cool for about 30 min & added water to the res. A few miles up the road, it started overheating again & again I pulled over, let it cool, res was still full. I didn't make more than 5 miles when I down shifted but didn't any more power & it was trying to shut off on me. Once again, I pulled over. This time it wasn't overheating but restarting either. Fluids were all good, there's fire to the distrib. & it's turning over like it wants to start, just won't. No indicator lights came on either. Any ideas?

10 Answers

get that water out of there...will clobber the block with rust more so than ever...replace with 50/50 coolant mix~ make sure the thermostat is not choked off with rust...probably you temp sensor is clobbered and cannot take a reading on the current engine temp...would have to test to see where the failure to start is~ air, fuel, spark, timing and finally valve timing and it has to be with one of these....do more testing to see if we can narrow it down a bit...thanks~

1 people found this helpful.
35

We did flush it all out a few hours later when I got it hauled home & refilled it as you suggested. We'll check all that out. Thanks!!

35

The only thing I've replaced is the antifreeze after flushing the radiator.

35

Its not the thermostat. Is it possible to hear the fuel pump when you turn the key & the pump be the prob from not getting enough compression?

enough pressure? that means the fuel pressure regulator is not working...perhaps the vacuum line has fallen off or cracked because they are made from cheap butyl rubber~ these are difficult to diagnose...you've got to have a suction tool to see if the membrane is still doing it's job~

35

Well, it's the fuel pump even tho you can hear it kick on when you turn it over. Thank ya all!!

1 people found this helpful.

that would mean an undervoltage condition....you need to pull off the ground lug that attaches to the frame and clean it with a wirebrush and put it back together....that corrosion in between is stopping the 300 amps needed to turn the motor 'round~ also the connection to the motor block (just near the alternator) is the one that needs the amperage through it~

1 people found this helpful.

the battery should be newer than 2001 check the knock off labels on the top of the battery to show the date of it's first charge~

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Wrangler

Looking for a Used Wrangler in your area?

CarGurus has 5,810 nationwide Wrangler listings starting at $8,990.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Mathew Wooldridge
    Reputation
    1,470
  • #2
    djtm0500
    Reputation
    1,280
  • #3
    Nickjeep
    Reputation
    1,240
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Ford Bronco
20 Great Deals out of 1,566 listings starting at $42,988
Used Jeep Grand Cherokee
114 Great Deals out of 3,364 listings starting at $4,922
Used Toyota 4Runner
14 Great Deals out of 506 listings starting at $7,990
Used Toyota Tacoma
42 Great Deals out of 668 listings starting at $9,975
Used Ford F-150
339 Great Deals out of 12,727 listings starting at $2,888
Used Ford Mustang
55 Great Deals out of 1,518 listings starting at $3,999
Used Jeep Cherokee
94 Great Deals out of 1,954 listings starting at $6,399
Used GMC Sierra 1500
194 Great Deals out of 9,455 listings starting at $1,000
Used Chevrolet Camaro
16 Great Deals out of 518 listings starting at $11,500

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.