No spark? - ignition switch wiring diagram

1996 JEEP CHEROKEE
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J.STIEG
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Electrical problem
1996 Jeep Cherokee 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic

I am trying to troubleshoot a no spark condition on a 96 Jeep cherokee. There is no spark coming out of the coil and seems to have voltage going to it. Coil had been replaced and no change. What should I check first?
Oct 27, 2010 at 5:12 PM
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KHLOW2008
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Hi j.stieg, Here are the diagnostic procedures for no start conditions. TEST NS-1A - QUALIFYING NO START CONDITION 1. Turn ignition off. Disconnect spark plug cable at spark plug No. 1. Connect cable terminal to a spark plug tester. Connect spark plug tester to engine ground. Go to next step. CAUTION:When checking for spark, consider 1-2 sparks as a no-spark condition. 2. While cranking engine for 10 seconds, observe for spark. If a good spark occurs, perform TEST NS-2A . If a good spark does not occur, reconnect spark plug cable and go to next step. 3. Turn ignition off. Disconnect ignition secondary cable from distributor. Connect cable terminal to a spark plug tester. Connect spark plug tester to engine ground. Go to next step. 4. While cranking engine for 10 seconds, observe for spark. If a good spark occurs, replace distributor cap, rotor or cables as necessary and perform TEST VER-1A . If a good spark does not occur, go to next step. 5. Turn ignition off. Disconnect other end of ignition secondary cable from ignition coil. Using an external ohmmeter, check resistance between both ends of ignition secondary cable. If resistance is more than 15,000 ohms, replace ignition secondary cable and perform TEST VER-1A. If resistance is 15,000 ohms or less, go to next step. 6. Remove distributor cap and observe distributor rotor while cranking engine. If rotor does not turn, repair distributor drive system as necessary and perform TEST VER-1A. If rotor turns, go to next step. 7. Reinstall distributor cap and ignition secondary cable. Disconnect ignition coil connector. Inspect connector and terminals for damage. Repair connector and terminals as necessary and perform TEST VER-1A. If connector and terminals are okay, go to next step. 8. Turn ignition on. Using scan tool in voltmeter mode, check voltage on ignition coil connector, ASD relay output circuit (Dark Green/Orange wire). Using scan tool, actuate generator field. If voltage is 10 volts or less, repair open ASD relay output circuit and perform TEST VER-1A. If voltage is more than 10 volts, go to next step. 9. Turn ignition off. Using an external ohmmeter, check resistance across ignition coil primary terminals. See Fig. 44. If resistance is not 0.95-1.20 ohms, replace ignition coil and perform TEST VER-1A. If resistance is as specified, go to next step. 10. Check resistance across ignition coil primary and secondary terminals. See Fig. 44. If resistance is not 11,300-15,300 ohms, replace ignition coil and perform TEST VER-1A. If resistance is as specified, go to next step. 11. Disconnect PCM Black connector. Inspect connector and terminals for damage. Repair connector and terminals as necessary and perform TEST VER-1A. If connector and terminals are okay, go to next step. 12. Using scan tool in ohmmeter mode, check resistance of PCM Black connector, ignition coil driver circuit (Gray wire). If resistance is less than 5 ohms, repair short to ground in ignition coil driver circuit and perform TEST VER-1A. If resistance is 5 ohms or more, go to next step. 13. Using an external ohmmeter, check resistance of ignition coil driver circuit (Black/Gray wire at ignition coil connector) between PCM Black connector and ignition coil connector. If resistance is more than 5 ohms, repair open ignition coil driver circuit and perform TEST VER-1A. If resistance is 5 ohms or less, go to next step. Check valve timing. Correct valve timing as necessary and perform TEST VER-1A. If valve timing is okay, replace PCM and perform TEST VER-1A.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/192750_IgnitionCoil96CherokeeFig44_1.jpg

Oct 28, 2010 at 9:27 AM
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J.STIEG
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Thanks for info. I made it to step 8 and and there was no power for the coil. I had a helper turn the ignition on and off several times and there dint seem to be any activity and did not hear the ASD or fuel pump relay come on. Do you think there is something wrong here. Do you have a wiring diagram or what should I check next? Thanks
Oct 28, 2010 at 2:06 PM
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KHLOW2008
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https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/192750_ASDRelay96Cherokee_1.jpg

At the ASD relay, if voltage is not present at B16, check fuse # 20 ( 30 A) If fuse is good, there is an open between the fuse and relay.
Oct 29, 2010 at 9:08 AM
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J.STIEG
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Yes, there is voltage at b16, and there is voltage at the relay coil. Does not seem to be a PCM ground signal for relay, what would cause that?
Oct 29, 2010 at 11:47 AM
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KHLOW2008
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Check the PCM terminal C3, Dark Blue/Yellow wire continuity to the relay. If continuity is good, the PCM is faulty causing the non grounding.
Oct 29, 2010 at 12:03 PM
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J.STIEG
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I did an ohms check and the harness tested good for ASD relay. I also checked the coil and it is in good condition. I checked the other components cam and crank but could not complete test because there was no positive 8v supply coming from PCM, or ground if i remember correctly. Also on day one I tried to scan the OBDII but it said linking error, I check for positive voltage at pin 16 and pin 4 and 5 were grounded. Is there any thing in the ignition that would cause the PCM to be inoperative for ASD cam and crank signals? Thanks for all your help
Nov 2, 2010 at 8:32 AM
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KHLOW2008
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The link error indicates either the scan tool is not compatibel or you have a problem with the PCM or wiring circuit.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/192750_ASDRelay96CherokeeFig03_1.jpg

From the diagram, do you have battery voltage at terminal 16 at all times? Does terminal # 18 has battery voltage when ignition switch is turned on?
Nov 2, 2010 at 9:56 AM
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J.STIEG
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Yes, terminal 18 has power and 16 has power at all times.
Nov 2, 2010 at 11:17 AM
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KHLOW2008
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Terminal # 20 is linked to # C3 of PCM.

With igniton turned on and if you have battery voltage at terminal C3, PCM does not recognise the presence of voltage meaning the PCM is faulty.
Nov 2, 2010 at 11:34 AM
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J.STIEG
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there is no positive/or negative voltage at terminal 20.
Nov 2, 2010 at 2:27 PM
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KHLOW2008
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Terminal # 20 should have nothing. You need to test from PCM or with relay plugged in.
Nov 2, 2010 at 6:50 PM
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J.STIEG
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Terminal # 20 has got to have ground signal if the relay is going to work. So if I get nothing at #20 is it safe to say the PCM is bad with a wire harness that has good continuity from ASD relay to PCM. Thanks for your help.
Nov 2, 2010 at 10:24 PM
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KHLOW2008
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If the PCM is not grounding terminal #20, then yes, it most likely is a faulty PCM.
Nov 3, 2010 at 7:40 AM
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J.STIEG
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I put in a PCM and it started right up. Thanks for your technical support, I was able to get right to the problem with your help.
Nov 8, 2010 at 8:44 PM
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KHLOW2008
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Glad to know you have fixed the problem.

Thank you for using 2CarPros.

Have a nice day.
Nov 9, 2010 at 6:25 AM
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STEVE ORCHARD
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I am the original owner of this high mileage vehicle and the ignition wire melted at the starter relay, replaced section of wire inserted in line fuse to protect wire and replaced starter relay. fuse would blow intermittently, checked ignition wire to ignition switch and replaced ignition switch. it worked fine for a day and then started blowing the in line fuse again, used 20 and 30 amp fuses wire would probably melt without the fuse. do you have any ideas what else i should look at.
Dec 7, 2020 at 12:27 PM (Merged)
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JDL
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Hi, thanks for the donation. Your talking about fusible links and not fuses? I looked at wiring info for starter relay, There are several fusible links, only one, has anything to do with starter relay, fusible link F--green. The other links, just grab battery voltage at that point, for other circuits. The battery feed to the switch/load side of relay, doesn't show any protection. The feed to coil side of relay, does have protection, that circuit is to energize the relay. Was it the green wire, at the starter relay, that melted?
Dec 7, 2020 at 12:27 PM (Merged)
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STEVE ORCHARD
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yes it is the green wire at the starter relay about six inches long and then it has a factory splice to the red ignition wire, the splice maybe a fuseable link i am not sure. when the green wire melted the first time i installed a in line fuse holder to protect that wire until i resolve the problem.
Dec 7, 2020 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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JDL
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One database showed the info below, I'm trying to be sure which green wire, because there are two?


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/170934_jeep_starter_relay_1.jpg

Dec 7, 2020 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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STEVE ORCHARD
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it is the green wire that goes from the starter relay through the fuseible link and transitions to the red wire that goes to the ignition switch.
Dec 7, 2020 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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JDL
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My thinking is, it may not have anything to do with the starter circuit, which was my first thought. It could be anything that gets voltage from the ignition switch. How long since a tune-up? Are there any trouble codes?
Dec 7, 2020 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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STEVE ORCHARD
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vehicle has been serviced on a regular basis since it was new, do you think it could be a battery issue,and if it could be why would that be the only wire affected when there are multiple connections on the same starter relay terminal. i do not have a fault code reader for a jeep.
Dec 7, 2020 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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JDL
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Your fuel injected, correct? You should be able to get some codes by cycling the ignition switch. You turn the key till the dash lites come on, no further. Cycle key on--off, on--off, on--off, on, then the check engine lite starts flashing, you count the flashes to get the codes. Your looking for two digit codes.
Dec 7, 2020 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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JEEPCHIK
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my jeep is doing the same thing except its the orange wire(fuel pump) i replaced the starter relay also and still nothing.i drove it to work,got it in to leave and it wouldnt start.it cranks like its going to start but its like its not getting gas.also i dont hear the fuel pump turn on when i turn the key. it is a 2 week old fuel pump. im stumped...and my jeeps 25 miles away in a deserted parking lot...please help! lol
Dec 7, 2020 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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JEEPCHIK
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my jeep is doing the same except its melting the orange wire.which i believe is for the fuel pump.i also replaced the starter relay.still not starting,it turns over like it is going to start but it seems like its not getting fuel.i cant hear the fuel pump kick on when i turn the key either.i just bought this pump 2 weeks ago.,do you think there is something wrong with it?
i dont know what else to do,im stumped,and my jeep is far away in a deserted lot.i drove it to work and got in it to leave,wouldnt start.its been 2 days now....
please help!! lol
Dec 7, 2020 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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JEEPCHIK
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sorry for the double reply...
Dec 7, 2020 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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RIVERMIKERAT
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See if the fuel pump is receiving power, jeepchik. Make sure the tank has enough fuel for the pump to pick up. Make sure it's getting spark, also.
Dec 7, 2020 at 12:28 PM (Merged)