Distributer/Cam sensor in wrong?

jeririah · #1 04-30-2008, 02:37 PM

I was replacing the battery cables on my 1993 Jeep Cherokee with 4.0 and accidently cut the wire to the pickup coil going to the distributer. I replaced the pickup coil but it would not start. So I also eventually replaced the ignition coil, and the relay in the power distribution box. I finally gave up and towed it to the local auto repair shop. After $270.00 they said the new pickup coil that I had bought and put into the distributer was bad and they replaced it with a new one. They also replaced the spark plugs. Well now the Jeep runs with about half the power, has a loud tapping noise coming from the engine, and is overheating. It took forever to get it up to speed to bring it home and I had to turn the heater on high to keep the temp. gauge from red lining. They claimed the cam sensor was good and put the pickup coil to test which showed it was bad. My question is could they have installed the cam sensor in wrong or the distributer in wrong? I know the distributer had to be at top dead center and the slot at the bottom had to point a certain way, and the rotor pointing a certain way before installing it. This jeep had the usual lifter tapping noise before but NEVER this loud rapping noise coming from it now. It also never overheated and had lots of pickup and go for its age. I can't believe a simple pickup coil replacement would cause this much trouble. Any help would be appreciated.

Andytron · #2 05-02-2008, 12:49 PM

How is the idle? Smooth or rough?

jeririah · #3 05-02-2008, 03:39 PM

It is smooth and it starts right up. You don't know there is a problem into you put it into gear and step on the gas and feel how powerless it is. You have to almost floor it to get it going. Thanks.

jeririah · #4 05-02-2008, 03:41 PM

Oh I forgot the loud rapping noise is there once it starts up too. It dominates all sound when idleing.

NIX · #5 05-02-2008, 05:17 PM

Sounds to me the shop did a bad job making your engine worse than it was before. Take it back to them.

maxxedout · #6 05-05-2008, 06:53 PM

Could they have the dist 180 out.If you bring it up to TDC on #1 cyl the rockers will be loose,if not rotate it another 180.

RRich · #7 05-05-2008, 07:56 PM

If it was 180 out it won't run at all.

But - Betcha they got the plug wires mixed up.

I wouldn't drive it like it is - either fix it yourself or have it towed back to them. Have them have it towed - the tow bill should be on them.

"""""I can't believe a simple pickup coil replacement would cause this much trouble. """""
It's not the simple pick-up coil replacement - it's the incompetent fools that did it. They should have driven it before they gave it back to the customer.