Jeep won't start

ok just the word, 6cylinder.
but they had many.
early wrangler ,called the YJ jeep. true name.
be nice to know the VIN, number, xxxx on end.,
this tells the helper whats there, if still stock , is it? many are NOT.
many this old are engine swapped,
no photos by you of engine nor distributor...
nor the connector pin count on side of distributor.
lets do displacement first is it the 4.0L ?
with throttle body. injection, or a carb.?
1989 is a year of rapid changes, I had 2x 88s.
some have the french EFI , called Renix.
with 4 injectors, and a brain dead ECU. horrid.
this have there very own different spark systems.
I think the last carb ever on wrangler is 1987.
before this worse electronic carbs, yup , avoid them.
4.2L inline 6 no the 4.0L (5million made)
looks like injection did not happen on YJ until.... 1991. later
than all other jeeps, 4 years, late.
I had many of the others, my beloved, Comanche 88
500k miles long....
has spark timing, check.
has distrib. check
has sepr. coil check' has module outside, check.
im on line now at mitchells so could you.
its"
The ignition module is mounted next to the battery on all models. It is a sealed, weatherproof unit on the 4.2L engine. 1987-90 vehicles equipped with a 2.5L engine, incorporate the coil in the control module."




seem you have this. says wiki.
4.2 L AMC straight-6 engine, 358cu/in. engine.

There should be a plug on the bottom of the transmission to drain and a plug on the side to fill it.
No spark could be a relay or the coil among other things. You may need a shop manual and wiring diagram to troubleshoot the ignition system.

I;ve always been told Mopar ATF+3 or Mopar ATF+4 , I know some people used to use dextron, but mixing the different grades was frowned upon

First try shooting some starting fluid in intake manifold, and if fires up but still won't keep running, my guess next would be your looking and checking out your fuel pump. You can check that out my removing a line and see if fuel is pumping out of the out put of fuel pump. Because it it carburated its pretty easy to trouble shoot. It's going to be in most cases spark plugs , fuel pump.

Have you had fuel pressure tested, and/or filter changed. Have you checked for plugged exhaust, such as catalytic converter? Quite often engine will also run a little hotter than normal when exhaust is plugged.

Jeep Wrangler/YJ 1987-1995 Repair Guide

Engine Oil


Fig. 1: Be sure to select the proper API quality classification and SAE viscosity grade of engine oil (10W-30)


Oil FIlter (K&N sample)


HP-2004 work for 2.5L and 4.0L


Manual Transmission
The level of lubricant in the transmission should be maintained at the filler hole on all manual transmissions. This hole is on the right side. When you check the level in the transmission, make sure that the vehicle is level so that you get a true reading. When you remove the filler plug, lubricant should run out of the hole. Replace the plug quickly for a minimum loss of lubricant. If lubricant does not run out of the hole when the plug is removed, lubricant should be added until it does. Replace the plug as soon as the lubricant reaches the level of the hole.



Fig. 1: Manual transmission fill and drain hole plugs

DRAIN AND REFILL
Remove the drain plug which is at the bottom of the transmission. Allow all the lubricant to run out before replacing the plug. Replace the case with the correct viscosity oil. All manual transmissions use SAE 75W-90 API quality Grade GL-5 gear lubricant. Tighten the fill hole plug to 27 ft. lbs. (37 Nm).


I hope help you with this (rermember rated this help) Good luck.

You will need to do some testing to find your problem. Changing cap and rotor is a good start but how good are the ignition wires, coil, fuel filter etc?
Any competent shop will test these items first, then move into more complex areas of the computer/ sensor systems.You can do the same, using a decent manual like chiltons or haynes as a guide, with a good volt/ohmeter. You can also get a basic code scan done free at most larger parts stores. My first impression is that either you have a bad filter or the coil is "breaking down" when it gets hot, but only good testing will show whether that is true.

The syncronizers and blocker ring are damaged some stores like auto zone have a super synthetic gear lube I had this problem in my 95 wrangler and the problem went away. Its going to be hard to find tranny parts for that car I just put a new tranny in from the junk yard with 70k miles for $200 its in perfect operating condition.

i have a 1988 jeep wrangler 6cyl with 5 speed transmission. I was shifting the jeep and it got stuck in third gear. We opened it up and saw that the linkage is aligned and everything is in place. I dont know what is wrong and what to do next. please help ....

you need to loosen the alternator bolts then turn the bolt under the alternator to relieve tension on the belt