JEEP Guys, need help....

[Bamfster]

1994 Cherokee Sport showed up, would not idle. Feather throttle and it would stay running but power was down with a miss. IAC valve tested bad, replaced and idles fine @ 800-860 rpm consistently. Still has no power and a definite missfire under accel off of idle. No CE light but the scanner pulled code 76 (ballast relay circuit open/short). All sensors/switches/systems are within value but injectors 1,2 & 3 are showing no activity with engine running (they are cycling during the individual system checks though).

So what is code 76 and where do I look for the problem? Where is the ballast relay circuit? Preliminarily I found that the major cause is a grounded wire somewhere in the harness. Any one have any input/thoughts before I kick this thing to the curb?

[IRONHEAD]

Re: JEEP Guys, need help....

if you prob the injectors 123 on the ground side and the munti meter on continuity..
and the other prob on a good ground does the continuity flash back and forth.. as the injector should open from the ecu grounding it..
if the ecu isn't grounding it.. that's why they are not firen

[TheSilverBuick]

Re: JEEP Guys, need help....

I read your first sentence and thought it was going to end with the Jeep ran 10's :P Then I remembered it's winter and you're not at the track. I'm going to have to think about this one a bit.

[Bamfster]

Re: JEEP Guys, need help....

Here is the solutioon to all of this:

First, the IAC was frozen/stuck open, replaced and the idle returned (it would not stay running under 1800 rpm). Code 76 Ballast Relay Circuit short/open....still not sure what that means. There is a ballast circuit attatched somewhere off the starter relay but IDK. Never did find any ballast relay/resistor anywhere in the service manual/wiring diagrams.

The problem ended up being a small hairline crack in the ign coil. In the dark, an intermittent spark could be seen jumping from the coil to the coil bracket. The jeep is up and running and the owner is happy......

Is it possible that "Code 76 Ballast Relay Circuit short/open" actually means "ignition coil"? After the coil was replaced and I rescanned, that code is gone.

Hmmmmmm

Min, Spidy, any thoughts on this?

[IRONHEAD]

Re: JEEP Guys, need help....

<hyjack>
i don't remember old school oil filled coils dieing so often as these dry coil pack do..

[Bamfster]

Re: JEEP Guys, need help....

<hyjack>
i don't remember old school oil filled coils dieing so often as these dry coil pack do..

Its a 94 with electronic ignition....think HEI style, no coil packs. If it comes in a box, it's subject to failure. Speaking of coil packs....if you look at the ford coil packs wrong they die!