new CJ5 running on 1 cylinder

Hello first post. just bought a CJ5 and am trying to figure out an issue. Previous owner replaced points cap rotor and plugs(not wires). While running I pulled the 3 rear wires off and the sound didn't change. As soon as I pulled the #1 cylinder plug (closest to radiator) it died. Im lost. I put a spare plug in the other wires while running and there is spark. Any ideas?

 

Welcome to the forum,

what engine do you have?
next question, what is condition of plugs in the cylinders that you think are dead? are they wet with fuel?
are the plug wires on distrubuter cap on correctly? pressed in completely? same goes with spark plug side.

 

"Previous owner replaced points cap rotor"

Fair chance he got the wires back in the wrong order.

 

my V6 had this problem one whole bank was dead ,only cold air puffing out .it ended up being the carb. one mixure screw was completely clogged.i ran compressed air
through it and everything worked as normal

 

could be plugs, my B did the same thing the other day to me, changed the plugs works great, mine happened out of the blue, and with plugs being $2 a piece does it really hurt?

 

I went through the whole ignition system before i did the plugs too, ran new wires to distributer, coil, cleaned the points etc.

 

Sorry I fell asleep after posting, Its a 4cylinder motor. Plugs are new but I will pull them later today to check condition. The previous owner said the guy who had it before him had the wires all wrong, so he found TDC and re-routed them. After that it started and ran again, but still sounded like it had a miss so he assumed it was the timing - which it certainly could be. My first step today is going to be to buy new wires since they weren't replaced and are pretty crappy, along with new plugs.

 

First off, welcome aboard the forum

I suspect the quote above is a major clue to the problem. Try setting things up like Billy says in post 9.

Good luck.

 

Thanks!
And yes, that is my first plan. He included a Manual (Hayes I believe) which also has the firing order as well. But I plan on tinckering later and will definitely post back!

 

"still sounded like it had a miss so he assumed it was the timing - which it certainly could be."

It may need timing but that does not fit your description. Timing would impact upon all four cylinders the same. And if it's capable of running on just one, the timing can't be too far out.

 

I'm loving this board, the response's are very quick thank you! I'll try to get some pics up by tomorrow, definitely a project but got it for a good price.

 

Follow Blevisay's firing order. I had a Haynes or Chilton's manual when I first got my Jeep in high school that had the firing order printed wrong. Ended up not wanting to start then once it did fire the muffler had filled with fuel vapor and ignited, at 3am. Blew the muffler wide open. Neighbor thought we were shooting guns and called the cops...

 

Same thing with this one. Two owners ago wired it wrong and blew out the muffler, it still needs a muffler.

 

I never thought one of the F-134 engines would run on one cylinder.

Could also be the points, or cap or rotor. Take a look inside the cap and see if any of the contacts have carbon on them. The shaft might be worn, (especially if it is an original distributor) and maybe wobbling enough so that only one plug is firing. Try running it at night or in a dark garage (or both) and see if you get The Wonderful Willys Light Show. any spark leaks show up really well this way.

 

That's crazy!! Must've scared the crap outta you!

 

Might want to get a reprint FSM and chuck that Hayes or Chilton's manual. Those are loaded with misprints. My personal fave was an electrical diagram that was completely mis-keyed and listed (for example) the headlight switch as the starter.

 

now that is funny.

I removed the plugs and they were fouled and black. One was wet #3. I cleaned them off, re-routed the wires as instructed and no start. Pulled #1 found TDC and connected the wires again. Still no start. Next up Im going to get fresh gas, ether, plugs and wires and give it another shot.

Quick question, if I swap a coil from a mid 90's Ford I6 would it hurt anything due to the increase in power? I did this swap on an old YJ I owned and it real woke the 258 up.