CJ3A Operation and Care
Manual --  Emergency Chart)

No adjustment should be made, or any parts tampered with, until the cause of the trouble is ascertained, otherwise adjustments which are properly made may be destroyed.  The trouble should be analyzed first.

STARTING MOTOR WILL NOT TURN ENGINE

• Battery weak.
• Battery connection dirty or loose.
• Battery or engine ground wire connections loose.
• Battery to starting motor wire connections loose at starting motor end.
• Starter switch contacts dirty.
• Starter gear stuck.

ENGINE FAILS TO START

• No fuel.
• No ignition current (see om7).  May be due to failure to turn on the switch or to a broken or disconnected wire.
• Spark plug points improperly set.  Set to .030 inch (0.76 mm.).
• Distributor points improperly set.  Set to .020 inch (0.51 mm.).
• Cylinders or manifold flooded with fuel.  With ignition switch on, choke open (control pushed all the way in), hold accelerator all the way down and rotate the engine which will reduce the fuel supply in the cylinders.
• Moisture on high tension terminals of the spark plugs or distributor cap.  Wipe terminals dry with a rag.
• Gas mixture too lean.  Choking is necessary to start cold engine.

ENGINE STOPS

• Lack of fuel.
• Disconnected wire.
• Lack of oil.
• Carburetor flooding.
• Engine overheated.
• Distributor breaker points dirty or pitted.

ENGINE MISSES AT ALL SPEEDS

• Faulty wiring.
• Fouled spark plugs.  The spark plugs should be short circuited one after another by touching a hammer or wood handle screw driver from the cylinder to the terminal of each spark plug.  When one is reached which makes no difference in the running of the engine, it is an indication that the plug is at fault.  Remove and clean.  If porcelain insulator is cracked, install new plug.
• Spark plug points improperly set.
  • Points too close together or too far apart may cause missing.
  • Spark plug points should be set to .030 inch (0.76 mm.).
  • Accumulation of carbon or oil on spark plug porcelain.
  • Corrosion on end of spark plug cables at distributor cap connection.
• Distributor faulty.
  • Breaker arm sticking.
  • Points improperly set or burned and pitted.
  • The correct point opening is .020 inch (0.51 mm.).
• Faulty condenser or coil.
• Water in fuel.
• Engine overheated.

ENGINE MISFIRES AT LOW SPEED ONLY

• Intermittent flow of fuel.
• Poor ignition or compression.
• Distributor points improperly adjusted or making poor contact.
• Incorrect timing.
• Faulty condenser.
• Spark plug points are too far apart (on pull) or too close together (on idle).
• Air leak at intake manifold connections.

LOSS OF POWER
(The engine will run but will not pull the car under a heavy load.)

• Ignition improperly timed.
• Lack of fuel or carburetor flooding.
• Dragging brakes.
• Engine overheated because of lack  of oil or water.
• Poor compression.
• Improper valve timing.
• Clutch slipping.
• Exhaust pipe or muffler obstructed.

LACK OF COMPRESSION

• Faulty cylinder head gasket.
• Insufficient tappet clearance.
• One or more improperly fitted pistons or piston rings.
• Valves not seating properly.

POPPING BACK THROUGH THE CARBURETOR
(This usually indicates a too lean mixture.)

• Dirt in carburetor.  (Fuel pump strainer dirty, see "Fuel System".)
• Water in fuel.
• Air leak at intake manifold connections.
• Incorrect ignition timing.
• Incorrect valve timing.
• Inlet valves holding open.
• Spark plug wires connected to incorrect plugs.  Firing order 1-3-4-2.

ENGINE OVERHEATING

• Lack of proper lubrication.
• Stoppage of water circulation, faulty thermostat ot lack of water.
• Slipping fan belt.
• Ignition timing improperly set.