DeluxeCrusader

I've got a 1991 xj sport high output that has some funny starting issues.
I say issues, because its not really a problem. It starts every time, it just takes a good 5 seconds of cranking to start. And after that, there is no stalling. it runs like it wants to be in 4wd tearing up grass and racing up mountains, point is, it runs like a champ.

The starter has been replaced. 3/4 years ago, didn't help the issue.
Really, I could live with it. because its not an issue (yet).
It just pisses me off when I'm in a parking lot and 8 people are staring at my car because its a bit rusty, and takes a good 5 seconds to start. They pass judgment. Without knowing.

Any ideas?

I can post a video if it would help.

huntingman2706217

mine does the same and i just havent worried about it... but i dont think yours is a HO unless someone did a motor swap and computer/wiring swap... but id like to hear what people say also cause like i said mine does it too... ive always wondered but to busy fixing other stuff...

jd4x426

id say that at least 50% of the cherokees ive seen do this including mine as long as it starts it dont bother me

DeluxeCrusader

actually it says high output on it.
Not many jeep cherokee 2 door sport h/o's around. so im quite proud of mine. even if it is rusty, missing a fog light, and slightly dented.

Who knows, could be just a High output sticker the dealer slapped on the truck when he sold it to the previous owner.

2 doors in general are 1/20 in my area. The best thing ever is when i found my trucks twin sister. Same year, same specific model, same color, same rust spots. last time i bumped into the guy, his had 167,000 miles on it, mine had 169,000, everything was the same, right down to the crappy little cupholder that covers the emergency brakes, to the fact that we are both missing the right foglight.

sometime in the next year im having my truck painted. but im not looking forward to it since i cant find a replacement for my sport stickers/pinstripe.

Edit\\ I take that back, it is without a doubt, a high output.

fantic238

It is probably the fuel lines losing pressure and therefore it takes a while for the pump to gain the pressure back when you crank. Try to prime the fuel circuit with three or four ignition switch-ons before cranking, when you hear the pump turning under stress it's going to start immediately.

c-loss

x2 on what fanic said. Dont just turn the key and start cranking. let the fuel pump prime the system. Everytime you shut the vehicle off it looses fuel pressure so to start it has to gain that pressure back. turn the key to the on position and wait for the fuel pump to stop priming the system. Other than that when was the last complete tune up?

huntingman2706217

i thought for the longest time they HO started in 96... then i was told later that it was 94... so heck i just dont know anymore... lol

BuckB91XJ

DeluxeCrusader, as a fellow 91 XJ Sport 4.0 HO owner I know exactly what your problem is as I had the same thing happen to my 91 about a year ago. There is a one way check valve that holds your fuel in the fuel lines after you shut the engine off. This check valve has gone bad and everytime you shut it off and leave it sit. The fuel all drains back down into the tank. Your excessive cranking is the time it takes for the fuel to get back up through the line and to the fuel rail on the motor. Unfortunately it will mean a Fuel Pump change to fix this problem. You're right the motor runs perfectly once it starts and it may even start fine the next start if you don't leave it sitting very long, but those cold starts are very frustrating and embarrassing. Hope this helps.

xjbones

started in 91' yo...when they got rid of the renix

huntingman2706217

Well darn... got set right again!

xjbones

lol....just had way to many cherokees!!

fantic238

That valve can be serviced if you want, it's in the top part of the pump and the pump can be opened by separating the aluminium housing from the plastic cap by bending gently with a small screwdriver the edge open. What you will find is just a little rubber thingy hold by a small spring in place and the mating surface of the rubber with its housing will have some rust\dirt particles on it that are the cause of the sealing failure.
But obviously i would advise not to if you have never done this before, just buy a new pump, maybe upgrading to an external heavy duty air sucking high flow double valve pump like my Volvo Penta pump for marine applications.

fantic238

A redneck solution is to wire a ground to the FP relay, with a nice switch, to run the pump continuously at ignition on position. Oh sorry, i already said that in here...