Jeep Cherokee Ignition Timing / Distributor Install

[@charlierichardson1826]

This video solved a 3 month issue I had, I even had mechanics over at my house stumped. I ran across this video by accident watched it and even as simple as it is. This video made my jeep run right again. Thank you so much for this video!!!!!

[@phillipkahl3405]

Thank you for the info I had been working on this 95 for 4 days you explained perficly keep up the good work thanks

[@JesusGuerrero-fe3du]

Is this the same on the 2.5 engine?

[@vidodaluca5828]

😊😊😊

[@Dave-Cruz]

Still helping people many years later! This was so helpful to me and my kid. I'd never done anything like this before. Thank you!

[@suezaitz7037]

Professionally done video, straight and to the point without stupit drama or stunts.

[@AnsleyBuilt]

IF ONLY, everyone could make perfectly explained videos like this. Thank you sir.

[@WhatTheHeckTV]

Not everyone has a spare engine in the garage

[@seanballard2062]

Plenty of videos and this guy made it very clear. Others fall shirt every time. ​@@WhatTheHeckTV

[@prestonthompson6274]

I've been battling my jeep for 9 months now trying to figure out what's wrong. Replaced every part with electrical. Tried timing multiple times. Never knew this trick until I watch this video. I timed it according to this video and it finally ran! Thank you for the straight to the point directions because it worked perfectly!!

[@thelagmeister]

Did it just not start one day? I'm doing the same thing with mine. I'm at 9-10 months of replacing things.

[@jeffstiles5761]

This video was a lifesaver. I have an 83 CJ7 that had the HESCO Mopar EFI mod done to it runs and tunes like a 94-95 Wrangler. The original owner had a buttload of work done, all by an offroad shop, including the EFI, which includes a new distributor. I've had it 8 years and decided to rebuild it, with a shop doing a long block rebuild after I pulled it out. I shot detailed pictures of everything. On the install, I found the motor shop had left it at #6 TDC instead of #1... no problem, I should have checked it. The distributor was wired 180 out from the original EFI mod which kind of complicated finding and fixing everything as well. I originally left it as original, just swapping the plug wires and it started right up. Played with the dist for a little timing love, but it was all or nothing, and it would die with little adj's. Finally it ran smooth with not much in the way of power, I was still tweeking things making it worse, and decided to tear it back to the distributor reinstall. I'd found this video while searching for documentation on the EFI Mod since I didn't have much in terms of documentation other the my Haynes 83 CJ manual, which didn't cover this any of this. I followed this video to the letter. It was even a little challenging since my distributor didn't have the fork on the base to lineup with the hold down bolt. I used the casting marks on the distributor (comparing to the video) to figure the one o'clock position on the way in where the fork would have been and brought it down. I almost didn't buy it because to looked like the rotor was at 5:30 instead of 5:00. I went with it, got everything back together, and the thing started instantly and screams down the road. My guess is I was firing on the upstroke even though timing told me I was 2 degrees before TDC before I tore it back apart and used this video to get me home. Dallas... yer a stud. I owe you big for a well shot, well explained video. It gave me everything I needed to figure out what I didn't have, and it went in on the first shot. Way to pay it forward man.

[@BDKARMA]

I pulled the motor for a customer so that he could have it rebuilt brought it back to me three months later rebuilt, and it wouldn’t start. After trying everything under the sun, even the parts Canon nothing I found this video first and within 30 minutes I had it running better than new. THANK YOU!

[@airtechc5692]

This video saved me from going insane, appreciate people like yourself to take the time and post up helpful videos. Thanks again

[@aamonsterbear989]

No BSing! Straight to the point! Thank you for this amazingly explained video!

[@mattbrown7818]

by far the best explanation of timing a 95-98 4.0. great video bud thank you for the help

[@stephenmorris3961]

99 too.

[@stevesmith2685]

Thanks, that was a great tutorial. Just replaced my distributor because of chirping sound. I noticed something though that might help others. If you have the same problem I did or at least your engine is running good and you just have to replace the distributor and aren't experiencing any timing issues, you can just turn the crank manually until the rotor and that forth hole line up the way you showed, then insert the punch and pull out the old distributor and skip pulling the spark plug in order to confirm top-dead-center. -Again, thank you, thank you, thank you. superbly filmed and explained.

[@OBoneKanOB]

This may be the best tutorial for this particular task I have ever seen. Thanks be upon you.

[@kmac8841]

Thank you! I have read/watched several exlpanations and videos but this by far is the simplest explanation I've seen.

[@xjinit]

Thanks for taking the time out of your day to film and explain this. I've went through a couple instructional forum threads with write ups and it did noting but confuse. 5 minutes of this video cleared up an hour of reading. Thanks again for supporting the community.

[@venticore]

You are a life saver dude I am working on my 91 YJ for almost 2 weeks just to solve this issue and yet your explanation made it so easy that I was laughing on my wasted time and effort. thanks man keep it up

[@yenyen33089]

I did this on my 98, just read the manual. But you did a better way of explaining this to ppl. Kudos. I'm showing this to my buddy at the moment because he can't picture what I'm telling him lol

[@aaronanderson6766]

thank you very much for this video my Jeep was 1 more backfire away from headed to the scrapyard this video saved my Jeep thank you again

[@carlosayala5320]

Dallas, After suffering for about six months with an annoying distributor squeak (my neighbors can relate), I took the plunge and changed the distributor on my 1996 Jeep Cherokee. Your video was very informative and having the engine outside the vehicle really helped me see what was needed to be done. I was able to swap it out in a couple of hours and it started right up, minus the annoying squeak. Thanks again and if you are in the San Diego area, i will buy you a cold one!

[@vcmaint]

I would just like to say "thank you" for making this video. I did the whole rear main/oil pump/pan gasket change on my 200k '96 Cherokee Classic. Like a dummy, I forgot to place the engine in TDC mode and yanked the distributor out to prime the oil pump. I was totally lost, and freaking out a little bit, honestly. After watching your video, I put everything back together per your instructions and it started up and ran perfectly first crank. Again: THANK YOU!

[@geekytechycool]

I just picked up a new project, a 98 XJ. It didn't run due to a few issues, but after sorting out most of them I still felt it was just running "out of time" but knowing that I couldn't adjust the timing sent me on a search. That lead to indexing the distributor (not something I care about right now) and then looking up a proper install lead me to your video. THANK YOU for going into detail about the PROPER procedure with a disto install. I hope to have a well running Jeep tomorrow :-)

[@hallhouse5098]

Well this video saved another guy’s rear. I just installed a rebuilt motor in my 99 XJ 4.0. I tried to prime the oil pump by disabling the fuel pump and ignition and cranking the engine with the starter. It would not register oil pressure on the gauge. I tried about 7 -30 second cranks and no pressure. I had to pull my dizzy , cut a flathead screwdriver and stick it in my dewalt cordless drill. I got about three seconds of rotation when I felt some resistance in my drill and the speed bogged down and I heard (bloop) and the resistance was steady now. I had my oil filler cap off and could see oil flowing through the rocker assembly. I continued this for another minute or so then put my distributor back on after turning my crank to the timing mark at O. I could see my #1 piston at TDC -and I put the dizzy back in just like you said. Bolted it down, installed my plugs , fuel pump relay and my cape, rotor, wires and it fired up nicely. I also did a hard reset on the ECU. There are good videos of that out there too. Thanks man...got me going simpler than I could find in three different manuals. I hate friggin vague manuals dude.

[@SuperRedRenny]

Thanks a ton bro! Took maybe 5 minutes to do, and fired right up. Greatly appreciated!

[@77uhlen]

I wish everyone would make videos as clear as this one. Great job!

[@adronmccollister3662]

Same here. I could not get this thing timed. Was about to give up when I came across this video. After watching the video it took about 15 minutes and the jeep runs perfect. I am a chevy man and I kept trying to time it like a chevy

[@alanhernandez8440]

Hey dude you think this will help if the truck idles roughly and turns off if i dont hit the gas???? its only smooth after 1500 rmps

[@adronmccollister3662]

@@alanhernandez8440 have you ever pulled the distributor? If not then it wouldn't be out of time

[@paulanderson388]

Great information...Thank you for taking the time to show and explain the correct way to install these distributors. It is much appreciated.

[@chrissramek7035]

I bought a new cheap distributor and was able to identify that they didn’t index the cam gear correctly due to the information provided in your video. Thanks!

[@billwild7512]

Thanks for sharing , I've had so many problems with my daughters TJ and the dizzy is my last attempt at fixing it , you really did a good job explaining this , I've been looking for old school timing marks everywhere , I'm just going ahead with your simple method , thanks again for sharing

[@lilreb720666]

Love this video, I'm doing an ignition tune up today on my 97 grand Cherokee Laredo for to fix a multiple misfire problem and I'll be using this specific video as my walkthrough

[@markhron709]

Well done, much more detail than the book provides. Thank you

[@LZDEN]

right i replaced my distributor this morning,using the guide from Dallas and all went well.thank you Dallas your video was a great help to me...;-)

[@carpaithia]

Thank you for tho video...i just installed a new oil pump on my 98 xj and was nervous about pulling out the distributor to prime the pump but this helps me out well....will be pulling out the distributor tomorrow...

[@clintbrown191]

Thank you so much for this video, I kept looking but all I could find was other jeep videos with a different distributed where they use the wire on the side holes

[@skyhawkpilot172]

This is video is a life saver!! The House Boss's XJ sat for six months over the winter. On days when the weather was decent I probed around looking for timing marks all over the harmonic balancer and found nothing. Today, I figured there had to be another way before I gave up and towed this thing to a professional.

[@raywaldrop643]

I’ve been working on my timing for about a week now trying to get it down right the way that you show the timing to be done and explain the way the timing should be done and the way that you made this video this video really really helps out a lot of people on the way You explained it that and showed How to do it thank you so much for making a Excellent video l give this video a rating of 10+

[@frankcambra]

You are a fucking saint my friend, I don't think I've ever seen such a perfect instructional video. That xj is toooo clean

By far the best explanation I've seen! THANKS!!!

[@arkeenmitchell6863]

Thanks a lot brother we have been dealing with this Jeep all day 🌞

[@LZDEN]

im replacing my distributor in my 4.0ltr xj very soon..this video will be of great use to me...thank you.

[@campeon-pm8ih]

Thank you so much you been a lot of help the truck is running now

[@abdulhassan1107]

Of course it helped out, thank you so much indeed! One important thing to add is that when Cylinder #1 is on Top Dead Center, it should be on Compression Stroke, and not on Exhaust. Maybe I missed it when you said it.

[@travisburke4939]

How do you tell which stroke it is on, exhaust or intake?

[@MrLuescher]

+Travis Burke I'm assuming you figured it out by now, but in case you didn't, you can put your finger in the spark plug hole and crank the piston up, and if air blows past your finger, it's on the compression stroke.

[@crow-vz5lx]

damn good video brother!!! i just bought a 95 jeep grand cherokee with 287 thousand miles!! im in the process getting it out of limp mode.only drives in 3rd, i can swithch manually but that way only engages two and three, od stays lit im at the point where i am going to buy all those sensors under the tranny pan and replacing them . I havent yet decided to replace the tcu, i tried resetting it, but its the same Im hoping it just the sensors that are clogged since its common. what sold me on the car was its immaculate leather interior and exterior was amazing as well. thanks again for this great video, i was going to change the distributar as well as the plug wires .but was waiting on a usefull how-to video, now i got it.

[@Macrosill]

This video was invaluable yesterday! Thanks

[@jatittude007]

This the best VIDEO on how to Distributor.. Thanks Hunter:)

[@deadspeed6679]

I have a Chrysler jeep 4.0 instructional video that teaches techs to do this and that isn’t even as helpful as this.. well done sir

[@jorgereyes5141]

Perfect. KZbinrs should learn from you. Thanks. Well explained

[@Elite_Nobes]

A+ video, well done, great info and very easy to follow. Thank you.

[@colin5064]

Excellent instruction and camera work

[@steveouellette75]

Hey just want to say thanks for the video ive been massing around for a few days now and after watching this video I got it on the first try so again.... 👍

[@jakefromstatefarm3421]

I just did a distributor swap on a 96, what a pain. Was hoping I could mark orientation of rotor on old one and line up new one to match but for whatever reason it would not line up the same. Took out #1 plug and turned motor over to get it at tdc but had the cam 180 deg out of phase since it is a 2:1 ratio on timing gears, Turned over but would not start since crank and cam sensors where so far off from each other. Took me longer than I want to admit to figure out what my problem was. Had to turn crank around another rotation then it worked.

[@hertzsogood833]

Dude thank you so much for this video. Fixed my girlfriend's jeep that's been backfiring and stalling for 2 years. 💪👍👏👌😁

[@paulkaufman4901]

Excellent (accurate) and Detailed information! Thank you for doing this video!

[@atunaisatongotea5064]

Thanks ,great video ,showing the easy way to install and set the time

[@crapwessel]

Best DIY vid ever !! Thank you posting this.

[@davidgoodman3693]

Thanks very much for the video. Very well done and to the point, it helped me get my Jeep running.

[@johnholst8579]

NOTE : number 1 piston is set at T.D.C. on the compression stroke ( where both valves are closed for no. 1) how to tell .. use your finger over the plug hole it should pressurize against your finger.

[@riclopez1627]

Thank you for stating what i was thinking.

[@20447Medic]

Double check the timing marks on harmonic balancer too

[@boshek9455]

awesome video man, this was a big help

[@MrShazmic]

Nicely shot video and explanation. Well done sir!

[@PC_CERTIFIED]

Thank you for the information very useful as I just purchased in 1999 jeep Cherokee sport with the distributor and of course in-line six

[@michaelhall6949]

You’re a god for this video. Thank you

[@robertrobertson4545]

Thanks man. This video definitely helped me out.

[@hilariotrevino851]

Your at vice on setting distributor on Jeep was Money. Thanks for the help.

[@hamadaljalaq8786]

Thank you so much you saved my Jeep.

[@bowtycool]

Bravo! Very well done, Dallas.

[@drazen.tisljar]

Thank you very much this has helped me in my case, explained in detail

[@z0mbicidaI]

I missed that punch part...and I think that may be why my jeep isn't running. I'll let you know, thanks for the video brotha! XJ Life!

[@z0mbicidaI]

+Hons Barrera she runs great. I used a screwdriver to turn the oil plug until it was at 1 oclock. you have to take off the radiator fan and manually turn the belt to get piston 1 at the top of its turn or top dead center

[@z0mbicidaI]

+z0mbicidaI 11 o'clock. if you don't get the positioning in right it will run like shit or not at all. there is only one timing for the xjs motors from 95 to 2002

[@z0mbicidaI]

+z0mbicidaI and on top of the distributor it ended up being water in my gas rails

[@heavenknight18]

This is great to follow. Very clear, and makes the job seem fun. My question is what positions I need to get on my 5.2L 318? Do you have a video on that engine, or is it the same looking from the front?

[@brandonkalbfleisch8983]

Can't make it more clear than that. thank you

[@tylermullins9458]

Was wanting to get some info just got done doing the same thing and now my Jeep won't run it will crank but it just back fires

[@MrMrsregor]

maybe 180 out

[@Rulin500]

How do you solve the problem?

[@MrMrsregor]

@@Rulin500first, there are many other things that can cause a motor to not start and just backfire... one common thing that i have ran into is major vacuum leak (my experience with sbc350 backfire and no start was, the washers were still on top of my manifold when i installed my carburetor, so i was getting major vac leak between carb and manifold...) if it is "180 degrees out", you need to rotate distributor 180 degrees. or spin your motor by hand till the distributor is at top dead center 1 cylinder, take your distributor out, turn you motor over by hand until you get back to the number 1 cylinder and then reinstall the distributor.. your motor will be at top dead center on the 1 cylinder twice, once for compression stroke, and once for the exhaust stroke. the distributor has to be installed while on the *compression stroke at top dead center not the exhaust stroke*

[@darthmichael12]

MrMrsregor Hey I am about to attempt this, how do I hand turn the engine?

[@MrMrsregor]

False Michael need leverage.. use a wrench or ratchet on the crank shaft pulls bolt to turn the crack shaft. I think all of the motors that I have worked on turn clockwise, but u might want to make sure that is the correct rotation for your motor

[@shadexyz]

dear god man I love you

[@robertsteele667]

thanks that's a great video I'm doing a 4.0 head on a 258 and had a hard time to find info

[@mariorodriguez6295]

Thanks bro Thanks I I fix tne Grand after 3 years

[@aaliyahmarquez718]

Don’t be rude to Miss Darci!!! ASIAN MAKE UP LOOKS AMAZING ON HER

[@MrEvan720]

Best video ever on this

[@lukekolodziej9631]

Thank you so much! This was such a good explanation

[@javieraguirre2215]

Awesome video man!!! helped me alot. Thanks.

[@jasonhuynh7512]

Thanks for the video! Very helpful to anyone who has an xj. I'm assuming u just turned the belt assembly to line up the first piston?

[@ErykK16]

i swapped my timing chain sprockets and chain and im not sure if i did it correctly i had the dots facing each other. ill be dropping in the engine tomorrow and fire it up. If it isnt timed correctly would i be able to follow this video and set the timing correctly without taking the timing cover back off?

[@richardwass5392]

I’m doin every step right easy to follow but when I put the distributor in at the 1 o’clock and turn it in place it doesn’t want to seat properly like there’s a 1in gap. Any tips?

[@Kodiakharley1]

How could you tell if you were on the "compression stroke"? Thanks!

[@slick73nova]

valves will be closed on intake and exhaust.

[@chrissramek7035]

Compression tester.

[@irk2]

You WILL know if you're on the compression stroke if you follow the tutorial AND the dizzy drops right in. Should the dizzy fail to align properly (1st time I was super close) and you have double checked your work, then you're on the exhaust stroke. ;)

[@SS-vb7pp]

Yes, i agree with Mark C..,. This is a great video but, just because the # 1 piston is at the top of it's travel, doesn't mean its at TDC for #1 cylinder. You could have watched the valve movement on the companion cylinder for #1 or cranked over the engine with your finger covering the open #1 sparkplug hole. when you feel compression blowing out the hole, you know you're on TDC #1. Other than that, great video !!!!!

[@josephshort2408]

Moobs Nolast-name you guys helped me out, past 4 days in the cold and now I know my issue. It was always so close to lining up but just a hair off, i didn’t check to see if it was on the compression stroke. Will update in a few hours if this fixes my issue

[@1noneya10]

Thank you so much for this video!!

[@josephmarrero678]

Ive done all these steps and when I finally put it in at the 1 o’clock position the distributor is slightly off to where the bolt is supposed to bolt it in idk why it’s doing this I can’t get it to line up with my bolt ?

[@MarcusAurelius2025]

Great tutorial thank you so much I really appreciate the information

[@corymckinney3987]

Ok what about the flywheel does it have to be in the same place as u removed it

[@RoyalTDynoman]

great video !

[@blakeschertz3246]

Very well explained video thanks a lot!

[@burningrebel777]

I have a zj and this is very helpful thanx

[@corymckinney3987]

I took a motor from a 94 and put it in a 95 well the flywheel and the torque converter was different so I had to switch them I never marked a flywheel

[@ETKNhuiz]

I followed everything went well, I still dodn't get it to turn on. It cranks and im sure I have electricity I hear explotions inside pistons but doesnt turn on. Hmm any sujestions?

[@johnubias2808]

Try the keys in the hatch then crank I know it's been a year so you probably got rid of it

[@MrMrsregor]

timing is not set right and/or 180 out

[@vanrees09]

Your Video was very imformative. Thanks.

[@sincitydude7296]

So I did it exactly the way you said putting the oil pump at 11 o'clock but the problem is when I put mine in, my rotor points at 6 o'clock not 5 o'clock. I'm not sure what to do from here cuz this my second attempt and it's the same result, a very rough idle which the original didn't cause.

[@curtis9797]

Did you happen to figure out what was going on with your installation? I just had to install a new distributor and at first I had a rough start with a few hard knocks and then it ran mediocre. I pulled the distributor and tried again, but now I have a smooth start but an idle that pulses ever few seconds from around 1,100 rpm down to 500 or so.

[@sincitydude7296]

I ended up taking it to a shop. Spent a lot of hours trying to figure it out with no success.

[@trentking3613]

You most likely had your rotor and distributor 180 degrees out. It will line up in what appears to be the right spot 2 times, one for exhaust stroke and one for compression stroke. When you turn your #1 piston to Top Dead Center then you need it to be on the compression stroke for it to run right. If it is 180 degrees out then it will most likely back fire a bunch when you try to start it or release what sounds like a air gasp. Hope this helps your problem.

[@sincitydude7296]

Turns out the the timing was off from all the years of wear and tear. Even the mechanics had problems with it. Also I had to go back cuz oil was bleeding into the distributor through it's own shaft causing misfiring. It got replaced too.

[@DavidPerez-po4dy]

Thank you for the excellent explanation!!!

[@elisancere3578]

I can't get the distributor to flush out on the block . It sits about an 1/8 above the block. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@policexinterceptor1]

Thank you so much you save my life lol😁

[@citydemo5701]

why would you remove radiator hoses to get to your spark pluG? they aint even in the way. and won't coolant spill out all over? and air get in your system again making you have to bleed it again?

[@boogiewoogie369]

Is this the same for a 1997 jeep grand Cherokee Laredo? it has a 4.0 inline 6.

[@DavidRodriguez-s2h]

Good video 👍 i fix my 95 jeep cherokee Starting issue with timing"

[@trickster8764]

So when you installed the new distributor, you turned it as you put it down? Or it was turning itself?

[@bradleycain2409]

Great work my friend!

[@tristenthompson3445]

This helped me out a lot

[@aaronwatts4223]

Very helpful and rescorceful!!!! THANK YOU!