Engine/Trans troubles

[Nick4320]

So took the CJ out for cruise in the snow. Had a great time 4 hi/low working like champs. Next day took it out again... this time all seemed well. Was driving on the trail out when out of the blue, engine bogs down and dies. about 5-10 minutes before i went through a stream (1-2 foot of clean water). Going through the stream i was in 4Lo 2nd gear, so nice and slow crawl

Here are the symptoms
- would crank but no turn over, had exhaust going but it wouldn't stay running (AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l )
- had spark from distributor to plug, and fuel in carb, air cleaner was dry so no water in ( not hydro-locked)
- Transmission (the T-5 ) was freely going in and outta gear with out clutch.
- put Transmission in gear and was able to push the jeep ( so jeep was clearly not going into gear)
-
Got the jeep pulled out of the woods to a parkn lot, let it sit while we crawled under. poked and played with a few things ( buddy said he unplugged and replugged a wire next to the Transmission ). The jeep started up good idled for a little while. I got in and it shifted so i quick drove it home with out a problem.

Now im taking a guess this plug got wet and caused a short of some sort, so im going to put di-electric grease on the plug. I believe this plug is just for reverse lights, so probably not the problem. But if someone could add some info and knowledge of what happen that would be awesome. Is it a simple problem like a short or could it possible be a odd Transmission malfunction??

If you need more info let me know

 

[Torxhead]

My first guess would be that there is water in the distributor. Clean it out with some wd-40. Dry the spark plug wires too. Welcome to the forum, it has been a long time since I have seen snow. I have seen lots of fires though.

 

[Nick4320]

My first guess would be that there is water in the distributor. Clean it out with some wd-40. Dry the spark plug wires too. Welcome to the forum, it has been a long time since I have seen snow. I have seen lots of fires though.

Alright i'll give that a try, and Thank you. Snow is fun until you hit some ice and can't stop.... as for fires please please keep that away lol

 

[Hedgehog]

Yep - Water in the Distributor likely caused by water vapor condensing in the cap. WD-40 works great for that application.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Water in dizzy and ign. mod. plug fill with water and will do it also.
LG

 

[Nick4320]

I should also add that it took 5-10 minutes after the water. Then the jeep died, so it wasn't instantly.

I keep hearing and reading about the cap so definitely looking into that, and I'll be checking the starter ad well when the weather isn't so damn cold

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Check for condensation under the dizzy cap.
LG

 

[Hedgehog]

The starter is something to consider, not because the engine didn't start or shut off. When I was young one spring day I drove my Malibu through the over flow waters at the Lake Champlain boat launch ramp. No big deal, except the next day it wouldn't start, something was wrong with the starter. When we pulled it the aluminum casting around the bendix gear was seriously cracked. I always thought water was laying in the starter when it froze HARD over night popping the casting. Just a thought.

 

[1973cj5TOM1960]

I just bought this CJ5 . Drove it onto the trailer and brought it home. Upon arrival home it would not start. A brief inspection revealed the start solenoid wiring terminals were loose.

Even nuts with lock washers sometimes vibrate loose.

We forget that in todays models, watertight connections and electronic ignitions replaced yesteryear technology that sometimes just failed.