# Cherokee stalled out & won't restart

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/cherokee-stalled-out-wont-restart/30570>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** engines, alternators\
**Created:** [May 17, 2009, 12:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cherokee-stalled-out-wont-restart/30570 "2009-05-17T00:06:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![danarchi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5daacb/32.png) [@danarchi](https://community.cartalk.com/u/danarchi)\
**Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 12:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cherokee-stalled-out-wont-restart/30570/1 "2009-05-17T00:06:22Z")

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HELP! My 2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport seems to have thrown in the towel. Without obvious warning, an odd ‘whisping’ sound arose upon the last start. This lasted for 3 or 4 miles until it just died. Now it won’t start back up; only gives that initial ‘grrp’ sound without fully turning over.  
  
  
  
 Now for the part that hurts to admit… I hadn’t changed the oil in 6 months or so, and oil level was nill. Since, I have filled oil, checked other fluids, and charged the battery. I see no significant signs of leakage, and it had run strong until the last startup.  
  
  
  
 Alternator? Distributor? Cooked engine?  
  
  
  
 In a previous life, on a '95 Cherokee, I replaced the distributor with little pain, but I can’t even find such on this 2001 model. I’ve found no solutions in either Hanes or Chilton Cherokee Fix-it books. PLEASE, can someone show me the light (a rather cheap fix, that is)?

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**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\
**Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 6:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cherokee-stalled-out-wont-restart/30570/2 "2009-05-17T06:39:06Z")

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Well if the starter isn’t able to turn the engine over it is most likely seized up due to the lack of oil. A lack of oil is the fastest way to kill even a new engine. Hopefully this isn’t the case but have a shop look at it and see what they think. If it is seized up you can have a rebuilt engine put in at a significant cost. If you can afford new car payments you may want to consider trading yours in and make a super deal on a new one. Dealers are begging for customers. The money you would have to pay for repairs would go a long way towards a payment on a new car.