tj wrangler experts?

[Robb]

Daughters tj just took a dump.
She drove to the dairy queen and lost power, said it was hard to steer.
I'm here and it cranks, but won't carch & fire.
97 4.0 auto.
Fuel pump,
Computer?
I don't know jeeps much, but this thing is simple.
Thoughts?

[dogbreath650]

gas?

[Aardvark]

"cranks but won't catch" = may be a bad battery cell. I'm thinking if it lost power, it's electrical and not fuel pump related. I'd start with the battery, check for good ground from battery to engine block (corrosion on cables will play havoc w/the TJ).

[SideShow Bob]

Check for spark at the plugs, could be the crank angle sensor, or other ignition components.

[ray1970]

Maybe the muffler bearings or blinker fluid?

[Spdu4ia]

Fuel pump, jeeps notorious for it. Replaced the one in my xj twice

[jmg8550]

Is it getting fuel, when you turn the key to the on position, can you hear the fuel pump in the tank for a few seconds. Is there a test port on the fuel rail? If you have fuel pressure, check spark.

May be a crank sensor as well. Check fuel and spark first.

[jmg8550]

"cranks but won't catch" = may be a bad battery cell. I'm thinking if it lost power, it's electrical and not fuel pump related. I'd start with the battery, check for good ground from battery to engine block (corrosion on cables will play havoc w/the TJ).

A hard steering condition is either the engine quit running, or the belt broke. Based on "crank but won't catch/start, indicates the engine won't run. A bad cell in a battery will reduce overall voltage and battery output, but won't cause and engine to crank/no start. Spark will be weakened until the alternator spins fast enough with the engine running to take over.

[SideShow Bob]

Check fuel and spark first.

Best advise so far. Start with the basics first.

[Robb]

Got it towed home and in the garage. That was half the battle.

Battery connections have a little corrosion, I'll get those cleaned and test/charge the battery.
Thanks for that blinker fluid tip Ray, I'll look into that...
Does have spark, that's good. All belts are in place.
Can't hear the fuel pump, but I only hear half what most of you guys hear... I'll be looking more into it tomorrow.
Thanks for the tips.