Money pit won't start

[Hollyhawk95]

We recently got a 76 CJ5 (AMC 232 i6 , 3 spd) given to us by my father in law. He had purchased it with the plans of using it to bounce around on the farm, but his health took a turn for the worse and it sat for a year before we brought it home. Before he parked it, he began having issues with it shutting off while driving it and then later would start back up like nothing was wrong. He replaced the carb with a rebuilt Carter Yf. He was still having trouble with it, so he had purchased but didn't get to install a few other parts. Hubs and I got it home (drive on to trailer fine to bring it home) and started the process of fixing several issues with it (it was leaking oil, coolant, and fuel) And it now has no leaks (radiator and gas tank were more than a little holey). It has new fuel tank, radiator, hoses, fuel pump, filter, plugs, wires, ignition coil, ignition control module, ignition lock cylinder, battery cables, starter cable (it was chewed on by a critter) and repaired a couple of badly spliced wires. It will crank, but it will not start. I am not knowledgeable when it comes to electrical issues, so I need help, but put how a 1st grader would understand (and pictures are even better). I'm not sure what to do next. As of right now it's a yard ornament (a very costly and frustrating one). As I understand it after doing a ton of research, it could possibly be the starter solenoid or ignition switch, but not sure how to find out for sure without just replacing them. I'm going someone has the prefect answer to help me get this money pit started.

 

[HackFabrication]

It wouldn't be a starter solenoid if the engine cranks over. You need three things for an ICE to run: Fuel, Air, Spark. Most likely you have an ignition problem, but you will need to diagnose all three. I'll toss in compression as a possible fourth issue, but start with the first three.

Fuel: Are you getting fuel to the carburetor? Possible fuel pump (new doesn't necessarily mean good), fuel pickup in tank, fuel filter issue.

Ignition: Are you getting spark? Check either by pulling a plug and grounding it while cranking, or use one of the 'spark checkers' that plug into the ignition wire. Check the timing. An out of time engine won't start, or will run really poorly. My 76 CJ5 AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l I6 had some sort of primitive ignition computer. Not certain about the AMC 232 i6 , but it's another possible bad component, along with anything that's inside the distributor. Wires go bad, sparkplug wires are no exception. You'll need to check those too. Ignition coils can also go bad. You will need a good multi-meter to begin any electrical diagnosis.

Air: least likely, but check air filter, etc. I'd also check for possible vacuum leaks around the carb base, etc.

Compression: These old six cylinders will run with almost no compression, but you do need some to get the cylinder to fire. Obtain a simple compression tester and see what you've got on each cylinder.

 

[Hollyhawk95]

It's getting fuel now after replacing the fuel pump and just replaced the plugs, plug wires and coil in the last couple of days. I will try your suggestions this week and see what i can get figured out. Gotta do the brakes and oil change on our daily drivers first though, since the CJ doesn't want to cooperate, lol.

Thanks so much for the suggestions!

 

[JeeperChris]

"...shutting off while driving it and then later would start back up like nothing was wrong."

Does this mean that while in motion it just dies and won't start back up right away, but if you let it sit a while it will start again just fine? That's the way I'm reading this.

My two cents: that sounds like an electrical piece getting too hot. My '79 has an electronic ignition. I don't know if you have the same or if your distributor has points in it, but if you have the electronic type then something may be getting too hot and shutting down the circuit. Maybe check for anything near the exhaust manifold or even running along the engine. Wires getting too hot could cause this.

I had an old Scout that did not want to start sometimes and a few knocks on the starter motor with a mallet or hammer would do the trick. Not exactly the same as you're describing but it's another thought because electrical wires run through there too.

 

[JohnKcj5]

Here's a really good thread.
https://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f99/engine-wont-start-troubleshooting-guide-19494/

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Change the fuel filter.......
The horseshoe cap on the coil, is a well know spot for 'no-start' issues.
LG

 

[RiverandSand]

If you have fuel and compression, run a jumper to the coil from the battery see if it will start. If it does there is a wiring problem some place. If not you may have a timing issue or distributor problem.

 

[jp360cj]

The 76 has a very poor Prestolite electronic ignition. My 77 had the same until I swapped the engine and the Prestolite was a near constant headache. I'd you aren't getting spark, I would swap to an HEI ignition instead of trying to fix a crappy ignition.


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