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Jeep Commander XH XK 2006-2010 Workshop Repair Manual digital download

Tools & consumables
- Basic hand tools: ratchet, 1/4" & 3/8" drive, common sockets (8–15 mm), extensions, common screwdrivers, pliers.
- Small torque wrench (0–50 Nm range).
- Timing light with inductive pickup (12 V power lead + clamp for #1 plug wire).
- Feeler gauge / dwell meter or digital timing/dwell tester (optional).
- Permanent marker or paint pen, masking tape & numbered wire labels.
- Clean rags, parts cleaner.
- Dielectric grease.
- Replacement parts (recommended): distributor cap, rotor, distributor O‑ring/seal (if used), cap screws, vacuum advance hose (if perished). If ignition pickup or module suspect, replacement unit.
- Safety: safety glasses, gloves.

Safety precautions (read first)
- Work in a well-ventilated area with parking brake on, vehicle in Park/Neutral and wheels chocked. Engine off and cool before removing cap.
- Disconnect negative battery terminal when removing the distributor (prevents accidental cranking/shorts). Reconnect for timing checks only. Avoid live battery when reaching into engine.
- Use jack stands if vehicle raised. Keep hands and tools clear of belts/fans while engine running for timing.

Overview of procedure
1. Identify #1 cylinder top dead center (TDC) on compression stroke.
2. Mark rotor position and housing orientation.
3. Label and remove HT leads from cap one at a time.
4. Remove distributor cap and note rotor/weights/advance.
5. Remove distributor hold‑down and lift out distributor, noting gear mesh.
6. Replace parts/seal as needed.
7. Install distributor so rotor points to #1 TDC position; seat fully and secure.
8. Reconnect vacuum and electrical connectors, reconnect cap wires in proper firing order.
9. Start engine and set ignition timing with timing light; tighten hold‑down to torque spec.
10. Final checks and road test.

Step-by-step detail

A. Prepare & mark
1. Park, chock wheels, set parking brake, wear safety glasses.
2. Remove negative battery terminal.
3. Remove air cleaner as needed for access.
4. Turn engine by hand (socket on crank pulley bolt) until timing mark on crank pulley aligns with TDC mark on timing cover. Confirm you are on compression stroke for #1 by removing #1 plug and feeling for pressure or noting valve movement: rocker arms closed at TDC on compression. If unsure, rotate one full turn to verify compression return.
5. With engine at TDC, mark distributor housing to intake manifold or body with paint/marker where the mounting flange meets the block — this helps reinstall close to original position.

B. Label ignition wires & remove cap
6. Label each spark plug wire with its cylinder number using tape/marker (remove one wire at a time and label to avoid mixing).
7. Remove cap screws/clips and lift distributor cap straight off. If cap is held by coil/bracket connectors, disconnect them first. Inspect cap and rotor for cracks, corrosion, carbon tracks — replace if any.

C. Remove distributor
8. Note rotor alignment relative to #1 position; mark rotor index to housing with paint if needed.
9. Disconnect any electrical connectors from the distributor (ignition pick-up signal, vacuum advance hose).
10. Remove the distributor hold‑down bolt(s) and clamp. Keep parts organized.
11. Slowly lift distributor straight up and out. Note how the gear engages the cam/crank gear and the orientation of the rotor when removed — do not rotate the engine or distributor during removal.

D. Replace seals / parts (if required)
12. If distributor has an O‑ring or seal, replace it now. Clean mounting area; apply light engine oil to new O‑ring to help seat. Replace cap and rotor if worn. If the pickup module or vacuum advance is faulty, install replacement unit now.

E. Install distributor
13. Ensure engine is at TDC on compression for #1.
14. Rotate the distributor shaft so rotor lines up with the mark for #1 cylinder. Because of gear backlash the rotor may have to be positioned slightly off and then rotated into mesh as the distributor is seated — typical technique: rotate rotor slightly ahead of the intended position, drop distributor in while turning rotor slowly until it seats and the rotor points to the #1 mark.
15. Seat distributor fully; the rotor should point to the #1 position you marked earlier (or very close — you will fine tune with timing light).
16. Reinstall hold‑down clamp loosely (do not fully tighten yet). Reconnect electrical connector(s) and vacuum advance hose to original routing.

F. Reinstall cap & wires
17. Fit new/original distributor cap and secure. Reconnect spark plug wires in the correct firing order (confirm factory firing order for your engine; label wires if needed). Apply a small dab of dielectric grease in cap towers and on boot ends.

G. Set ignition timing
18. Reconnect negative battery cable.
19. Start engine and let it reach normal operating temperature. Disable any timing control (e.g., vacuum advance) by disconnecting the vacuum hose and plugging it or connecting to manifold as required by the spec — generally vacuum advance should be disconnected for base timing checks (refer to model spec).
20. Hook up timing light: inductive clamp on #1 spark plug wire, power leads to battery (red +, black -). Aim timing light at timing marks on crank pulley/timing cover while engine idles at specified RPM.
21. Loosen distributor hold‑down slightly so it can be rotated. Rotate distributor slowly until timing mark lines up with the specified degrees BTDC (factory spec). Typical Jeep engines are often around 6–12° BTDC but check service manual for exact spec.
22. Once correct, retighten distributor hold‑down to torque spec (use torque wrench; if you don’t have spec, tighten snugly but do not over-torque — about 10–15 Nm for many small clamps; check manual when possible).
23. Reconnect vacuum advance hose to original source, verify timing advance with vacuum applied if required. Recheck timing with vacuum connected (timing will usually show more advance under vacuum on systems that use it).

H. Finalize
24. Reinstall air cleaner and any removed components.
25. Road test, check idle, check for oil leaks at distributor base or vacuum hose leaks. Reinspect spark plug wire routing and secure.

How the timing light is used (concise)
- Connect inductive clamp on #1 plug wire (not on coil wire unless instructions say so).
- Connect timing light power to battery.
- Warm engine to operating temp, idle at specified RPM (may use fast idle if cold).
- Point strobe at timing marks; strobe will flash each time #1 fires, freezing the rotating crank mark. Rotate distributor until the crank mark aligns with the specified degree mark on the cover.
- Tighten hold‑down and recheck.

Common pitfalls & how to avoid them
- Not marking rotor/ housing before removal: leads to wrong reinstallation — always mark.
- Installing on wrong TDC (exhaust stroke): engine will run badly or not at all — confirm compression on #1.
- Forgetting to label wires: miswiring causes backfires/damage — label wires one at a time.
- Not replacing worn cap/rotor or O‑ring: causes misfires and oil leaks — replace as preventive maintenance.
- Forcing the distributor gear: seating distributor incorrectly can damage drive gears — seat smoothly; rotate as needed to mesh.
- Over‑tightening hold‑down: can crack housing or strip threads — use proper torque.
- Timing without warming engine or with vacuum advance connected (if base timing spec requires it disconnected): wrong base timing — follow spec.
- Using timing light clamp on wrong wire: will show wrong mark — always use #1 plug.
- Forgetting to reconnect vacuum hoses or electrical connectors: leads to poor idle and drivability.

Replacement parts commonly required
- Distributor cap and rotor (easy wear items).
- Distributor O‑ring/seal (prevents oil leaks).
- Vacuum advance unit or hose (if leaking/old).
- Ignition pickup/module (if misfire codes or no-spark).
- Hold‑down hardware and cap screws.
- Spark plug wires if worn.

Notes / final tips
- Always consult the factory service manual for model-specific timing specs, torque values and firing order.
- If engine uses an electronically controlled ignition with fixed pickup inside distributor, be careful not to damage the pickup; replace with OEM part if faulty.
- Keep work area clean; avoid dropping tools or debris into the engine.

Done.
rteeqp73

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