Expert: Kevin Pilotte - 7/18/2006

Question
Hi Kevin!

I am writing you for the second time.  First I would like to say thank you for your last response!  You wrote me back a second time and it wouldn't let me rate you again.  If you look back at your question library, I asked the question on 7/3/06.  I went to Napa and bought a new ignition module and installed it.  It started on the first turn!  I was so happy and took the top down on the jeep and took it out for a ride.  I think I used the jeep for about 4 days and then this last Sunday I was at a stop light when all of sudden it just died!  I tried to start it again, but no go.  It just kept cranking like it did before the new module was installed.  Could I have some bad wires going to the module?  Does temperature have anything to do with it, because it was 95 and very humid outside that day?  One thing I would like to point out to you is that this jeep used to have a Viper alarm installed in it and so many different mechanics have messed with this thing do to starting problems.  I finally had one mechanic just rip the alarm out a couple of years ago.  I am really hoping that I don't have to replace the entire wire harness.  Are there any tests I can run?  I was reading online and read an article explaining that the Jeep CJ7's pre 1983 didn't have ignition module "computers".   Is that correct?  The article talked about installing a Weber carburetor and taking out the computer.  Can I do something like this?

Any information or advice you have about this would help!

Thanks,

Tim
Milwaukee, WI  

Answer
At this point, I would recommend bringing it to your local mechanic. The module could be bad, but so could many other things. i.e. distributor, coil, fuel pump, carburetor, wiring, etc.
Hot temperature should not cause it not to start, if all systems are OK. To inspect the wiring, you would need a wiring diagram. Then you would have to follow each wire relating to the starting or ignition circuit. You would then have to test it using a multi meter.
I don't recall when Jeep went to ignition modules.
You could install another carburetor, but setting it up to work properly could take some effort.
Best of luck.
Kevin