Ok guys i know this may be a stupid question and i am probably just missing something silly...but i have racked my brain and just cant think of whats going on.

I have a 89 wrangler that just came into my possession. It will start fine if it has been sitting for a little while....but once you get it started and drive around for a while if you turn it off it will not start back up. Doesnt sound bad when trying to start...just wont start. But if you let it sit for a while it will start right back up. The farther you drive the longer it takes to get it started again.

Also it will not turn off once you get it started. You have to stall it out to get it to shut off. I have replaced all the normal things...cap, rotor, wires, plugs, checked all fuses, replaced ignition switch, new power/ground cables from battery, fuel filter, new tbi......

any ideas on what it could be? A buddy of mine told me it could possibly be the knock sensor but before i go out replacing more stuff that doesnt need replaced i thought i would get some input from some of you experts out there.

Thanks guys for any help/suggestions.

oh and its a 2.5 L 4cyl...knew i had left something out.

Try the linkage on the top side of the stearing column. It may be broke or just loose. I just did the same thing with my cj.

SOunds like ignition switch problems

my jeep had the same issue, ended up being the starter sticking in the on position.
it only seemed to affect it when it was cold though.

just replaced the ignition switch so unless it is wiring associated with it then that shouldnt be it...i checked the rod/linkage that goes to the ignition switch....seems to move freely but this was only a visual inspection with trim still on sterring column...i will double check this and get back on that....any other ideas?

If it is the starter in the on position shouldnt i be able to hear it turning?

just replaced the ignition switch so unless it is wiring associated with it then that shouldnt be it...i checked the rod/linkage that goes to the ignition switch....seems to move freely but this was only a visual inspection with trim still on sterring column...i will double check this and get back on that....any other ideas?

If it is the starter in the on position shouldnt i be able to hear it turning?

next time it doesnt start get under the jeep and tap the starter lightly with a hammer


then try to start it

if thats it - then you need a new starter

also check the wireing to the starter...

Get a wiring diagram and a voltmeter. The ignition wiring on a YJ isn't that complicated. You have +12, accessory, on, and start wires (some of those have more than one wire) and it should be pretty obvious what should be on in each position. Could be neutral safety switch (wouldn't explain why it won't shut off though) or the connector halfway down the steering column is loose. I have seen aftermarket electric fans wired up so that the voltage feedback through the fan has enough juice to keep the computer "on" when the switch is off.
If you're using the electrical diagram in the Haynes manual buy a magnifying glass :flipoff2:

Edit - take a close look at any aftermarket accessories added - fans, stereos, CB's, etc - or ones that were added and taken out prior to sale.

i went through and just removed and fixed everything the previous "self-proclaimed mechanic" did (not that there is anything wrong with that...but in this case there was...he couldnt figure out where to splice into the factory wiring work when he installed a stereo so he just bypassed everything and added new...including constant on so his battery kept dying because he would turn off the jeep and forget to turn his stereo off)...and it didnt fix anything...i was hoping it would be that simple. As of right now all i have is the haynes but i have a buddy thats a mechanic for ford that has access to alldata so i will have him pop in and print me some diagrams if he can.....i was just hoping this would be a simple fix that someone had run into before....any ideas keep them coming though of course.

I would check the grounding on your vehicle...

Try running a pair of jumper cables from the negative on your battery to on of the engine mounts or somewhere there close to the starter...
(you might want to try and grounding from the battery strait to the body and/or frame aswell)

Let us know how it works...

One quick question....
When you say it won't stop....is it actually running or just deseling?

full fledge running....you can turn the key to off/lock...pull it out....throw it in first and drive around the block....

will try the grounding and get back to you tomorrow

its been raining the last couple days so i havnt been able to get to the jeep for those of you that have been helping me out here....

i went out today to do some of the suggested and the new development is the battery is now getting completly drained if the jeep sits for a couple days. I checked all the normal things to make sure there were no lights on anything of that nature and there are not. I was able to get it jumped and it is charging right now....but i dont know if that helps any of you with any ideas.

I will get back to you on the grounding and whatnot as i am going to check that here in a minute and try the jumper cable and go ahead and ground to the frame...afterall not like it can hurt anything:)...

If that doesnt work then i guess i am left to trace wires.

As always any suggestions let me know

I wouldn't worry about the battery draining until you fix your other problem.. It could just be drained/low because you aren't driving it everyday like your use to. Or a car alarm/remote lock/unlock system etc...

It might be part of the overall problem but I wouldn't jump to any conclusions..

If the battery is draining, you may have a bad diode in the alternator. That would explain voltage feedback and battery going dead if there is a draw somewhere else. I know that it's not the same exact thing but I had this happen to me when I was building sandrails a long time ago.

It sounds like he spliced into the temp sending unit power. Disconnect you temp sender and see what happens.

Wow, what a bunch of crazy ideas ...

If the engine won't turn off (since you have to stall it) then it's obvious that the ignition is still getting power with the key OFF ... so even after you stall it the ignition still has power ... so the battery dies.

It's probably unhappy to re-start since it never thinks it's OFF.

Either is mechanical between the key lock and switch, or it's electrical at the switch, or it's a hack-job someone did because of another problem. Whatever it is, it's not typical, so you'll have to learn the systems to figure it out.

CP

Either is mechanical between the key lock and switch, or it's electrical at the switch, or it's a hack-job someone did because of another problem. Whatever it is, it's not typical, so you'll have to learn the systems to figure it out.

Perfect... There's too many variables to have someone on the internet(i.e cannot actually see the vehicle) help you troubleshoot this. First of all, someone who's obviously an electrical genius working on your vehicle :rolleyes: now you have an electrical issue :eek: I would begin by undoing everything that's not factory. If it's the radio wiring, some fog lights... wtf ever is "tapped" onto factory stuff get rid of it. The best i can figure you have something bleeding voltage/ground back. I can't tell you what it is, but you can look. If it's something added on, un add it till your shit works right(I know you said you unhooked what he did, but make sure there's not something you missed). If after this check you find nothing, check the large gauge(usually 12) YELLOW wire coming from the ignition switch(on top of the column). If 12V is present when the key is off, you may have a bad IGN switch(the thing the rod engages). You can make 100% sure by cutting the yellow wire and testing the key side. If the key side maintains 12V when the key is out, the switch is bad. If it loses 12V, then your problem lies in the wiring. You need to check this wire from the ignition switch to the fuse box, then to the ignition relay(should be in the relay center just in front of the battery). There are several simple things that could have been monkeyed with. It could in fact be a sensor, BUT that would have to mean there's not a ground present on the back side.

//edited cause I sometimes forget I don't/didn't always know everything