My 1996 Cherokee has the 4.0 and automatic transmission. It's having an issue where it'll crank and crank and not start,so then I'll try cranking it again and it fires right up. I figure I'll check the fuel pressure,so I need to know what it should be.

 

49 psi

 

Bad check valve allowing fuel to drain back down. Turn the key to ON, count to 5, turn it back off, then start the engine. That re-pressurizes the fuel rail so it can start. It's harmless, just annoying. It doesn't mean your pump is failing.

The part you need is almost impossible to find, it's part of the fuel pump assembly back in the tank and hasn't been available to purchase for a while. You can buy the pump itself, but not the regulator that contains the check valve.

 

Is the check valve part of the fuel pressure regulator? Can an external check valve be spliced into the existing feed line under the jeep or in the engine bay?

 

My understanding is that it was part of the regulator, but I haven't disassembled one to look.
I can't think of a reason why an external check valve wouldn't work.

 

There's a good thread here on NAXJA:

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthrea...ight=1996+fuel

Do yourself a favor and search on this topic. There's a lot of helpful information out there on the '96 fuel pump assemblies, but prepare yourself. It's no picnic trying to find parts and make them work correctly.