My 96 with AX-15 has struggled to start on 2 occasions recently. I'll turn the key and it fires up but ust as fast, I lose rpms and it just dies. After a few turns of the key or letting it set for a bit, it will fire up and run just fine and idle great. The first time, the engine was warm and the second time was after setting all day. What could this be? I'm a little low on fuel, but I don't think that would do it (easy test). I'm by no means a mechanic so I don't really know where to start. Following the air, fuel, spark differential, it seems it would be a fuel issue. Am I starting to lose my fuel pump?

s

 

It could be a simple distributer cap and rotor. If not the fuel filter is VERY easy to change. I dunno about the pump.

 

Yep sounds bout like it, I've noticed this alot in these XJ's! Check the fuel pressure at the fuel rail... see what you get as far as PSI

 

Not really sure if the 96 has the pump on the front of the tank or on top, but either way its a 45min cake job to replace pump & filter!

 

Gap or replace your plugs. Use anti seeze on plugs! Check air filter too. You havent been going thru mud puddles have you? LOL

 

Fuel and air filters have less than 5k on them. I just checked the air filter and is is still very clean.

I've been planning to replace the plugs, cap, and rotor (~150k on OEM) so I may have to put it higher up on the to-do list if yall think that could be the culprit.

I'll also probably run seafoam thorugh since I'm doing it to my bike here shortly for kicks.

How do I check the fuel pressure at the rail and how long should I expect a fuel pump to last? What are the symptoms of an on-its-way-out fuel pump?

thanks again all,
s

 

possibly a cps issue, fairly cheap and easy to replace if you can get to the bolts. I had similar symptoms and changed some hoses and the fuel filter but still had a problem. i just changed the cps today and seem to have no problems.