Engine has Fuel and Spark - No Start

[BaseCJ86]

I am having a tough time getting my CJ to start. I am currently in the middle of a rebuild and replaced the tub and fenders. I left the engine be, because it was running when I drove it into my garage. Now it is time to start the engine and I can't get it to go. I have spark, fuel and the exhaust out the back. It turns over no problem. It just won't catch. I took off the carb and readjusted the float and still nothing. I am at my wits end. Any help would be appreciated since I gotta get it started to finish and drive this summer. I got a 6 Cyl 4 speed in case anyone was wondering.

 

[Torxhead]

On the later CJs the ignition system has a few weak points. Like those slip on coil connectors, this may give you a weak spark and not enough to fire the engine. Corrosion can develop on electrical contacts on that coil connection also. Moving things around could have pulled a few wires also. A bad fusible link coming off the starter relay could have gone bad too.

 

[Manic Mechanic]

If you pulled the distributor at all there is a chance that you are 180 out. You would get spark just not at the right time

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[Kane]

You have to make sure the initial timing is correct around 8 degrees BTDC with the vacuum advance disconnected. If not it will not start. Check that next and double check your firing order to make sure everything is correct.

 

[Posi]

What is the voltage at the + side of the coil with key on?
What is the voltage at the + side of the coil while cranking?

 

[Manic Mechanic]

I know you have a 86 but my 85 should be the same. Although I've upgraded to a GM HEI distributor.
In Run and Start the red with tracer wire from the ignition switch gives 12V. Thre is a ballast wire near the coil which drops it down to 7V. As you can see this wire feeds a number of things in the engine bay, so it is worth checking what these other items are getting.
If it was a switch issue yo would see 3V at the IGNLPS fuse in Start. The 1985 has a computer. Do you still have it? If so is it getting 3V via the IGNLPS fuse? Is the ignition modue getting 3V via the red with tracer wire? If so they will not fire up either. There is a second system. The light blue wire to the solenoid energises the solenoid and hence the I tab. A red with black tracer wire then takes this up to the coil. In Start the solenoid is supplying 12V. As you can see, if all that is wired up you should have 12V at the coil in Start, worst case 7V if the wire has fallen off the solenoid I tab.

Run a jumper wire from the battery + terminal to the + terminal of the coil and try and start it.
If it starts remove the jumper while the engine is running and ensure it stays running. If this sentence proves true look at the I terminal post of your starter solenoid. When cranking the starter that terminal should be a bright test light or whatever battery voltage is during starter engagement. If no voltage or test light illumination on that terminal while the starter is spinning replace the starter solenoid

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[Lumpy Grits]

OP-Did you fuss with the dizzy lately?

LG

 

[BaseCJ86]

Ok Now to the next step. Because of the Michigan winter I could not get out until last night to test a few things. I replaced the coil and the solenoid. Improved spark but still will not turn over. I am now blowing black smoke out the tailpipe. My guess it is the carb. Anyone else got any ideas that may help. I am going to rebuild the crappy carb and see if that is it. I am really lost here because I would have no idea why I could drive it a while back and now it won't start. Just does not make sense.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Bet dizzy is not indexed 'rite', like 1 tooth off.
Try starting fluid.....Spray as the engine cranks.
LG

 

[CJ]

I am having a tough time getting my CJ to start. I am currently in the middle of a rebuild and replaced the tub and fenders. I left the engine be, because it was running when I drove it into my garage. Now it is time to start the engine and I can't get it to go. I have spark, fuel and the exhaust out the back. It turns over no problem. It just won't catch. I took off the carb and readjusted the float and still nothing. I am at my wits end. Any help would be appreciated since I gotta get it started to finish and drive this summer. I got a 6 Cyl 4 speed in case anyone was wondering.

On the later CJs the ignition system has a few weak points. Like those slip on coil connectors, this may give you a weak spark and not enough to fire the engine. Corrosion can develop on electrical contacts on that coil connection also. Moving things around could have pulled a few wires also. A bad fusible link coming off the starter relay could have gone bad too.

Put + 12 volts to the positive side of the coil. You could have a burned out ballest connection.

 

[mtnwhlr]

I replaced the coil and the solenoid. Improved spark I am now blowing black smoke out the tailpipe.

So if you are getting spark now the blowing black smoke sounds like it's flooded to me.

 

[BaseCJ86]

Update: Checked the timing...TDC is on, I got with a timing light was 8 degrees...best I could tell. So I threw in the towel, I am canning the Carter Cab and just ordered a new Weber. Wish me luck..

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Surprised to here this.
Been run'n a Carter as OEM from the day I bought my Jeep new, in '85.
Only carb that's OK'd for SMOG test'n.
Good luck......
LG

 

[BaseCJ86]

It's been a long time since my last update. But I finally figured out the issue. It was the used dash wiring harness I purchased. It seems the former owner of the wiring harness cut the ignition wire and crimped it back together. But the crimp was not good, so there was no connection. I connected the wire and she started right up.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

So-did you keep the Carter?
LG

 

[BaseCJ86]

No, I decided on keeping the Weber.