I have an 82 jeep laredo I bought about four months ago. I had to do some work on it, but it's been running great. Yesterday, when I got home, I let it cool down, then drained the radiator to replace coolant. After draining I started the engine and let it run while I flushed with clean water. I noticed it was running at a high idle, so I gave it some gas to let the choke open and let the engine idle down. When I did this it died, and will not start back up. Now, when I turn the key, the engine turns over, but sounds like it's turning over faster than normal. It doesn't even try to start. I'm thinking maybe the timing chain, or something like that. It was getting dark, so I didn't get to do much checking. Any diagnostic help would be appreciated. Bad coil maybe?


Thanks Joe

. Remove all spark plugs and check eash cylinder's compression. Depending upon what you did, the engine may have overheated, warping the head and damaging the valves. Loss of compression may be why it turns over faster.

. Test all under hood and under dash fuses with a test light or multimeter:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-selected-other-vehicles-46563-3.html#post252145

. Check for codes.

. Wipe spark plug wires, distributor cap, coil, and coil wires with WD-40. Ensure spark plug tubes are dry. If water got on the distributor cap, open it up, spray it with WD-40, and wipe excess off with a clean rag. Examine O-ring, if any.

. Check for spark. If none, replace the Ignition Control Module and coil:

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/parts/partsShelf.jsp?categoryDisplayName=Electrical+%26+ Lighting&fromType=parts&fromString=search&parentId=cat30065&currentPage=1&filterByKeyWord=ignition&isSearchByPartNumber=false&navValue=15700029&categoryNValue=15799999&fromWhere=&itemId=prod61183&displayName=Control+Module+-+Ignition&searchText=ignition

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/parts/partsShelf.jsp?categoryDisplayName=Ignition+(Tune+ Up)&fromType=parts&fromString=search&parentId=cat30070&currentPage=1&filterByKeyWord=ignition&isSearchByPartNumber=false&navValue=16200027&categoryNValue=16299999&fromWhere=&itemId=prod61181&displayName=Coil+-+Ignition&searchText=ignition

Replace the spark plugs with the exact Champion plugs that came in the Jeep, if they haven't been changed in the last two years.

. Check for fuel. Do you hear the fuel pump run, when the ignition switch is turned to ON?

. Check the alternator, which are commonly shorted out with water, if the problem persists.

Because of all the minerals in the water, Texas tap water is horrible to use in a cooling system. You only want to use a 50/50 mixture of the recommended antifreeze and distilled water:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-selected-other-vehicles-46563-3.html#post235973

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-selected-other-vehicles-46563-7.html#post1365453

Thank you. I check these things when I get home tonight..