Hello all! I have a Cherokee Sport which I bought new in 2001. I loved her and often referred to her as my “baby.” She’s a beautiful blue—2001 was the first and last year Jeep used this shade of blue. Also, the last year for the Cherokee, I believe. In 2013, when my baby niece came to live with me, I needed something practical and more suitable for car seats and lots of distance driving. I got a Camry, and sadly, the Jeep has been sitting, unused, for about 9 years. I’ve been wanting to get her back on the road for a while now. When she was last driven, she was fine, aside from a couple quirks which no mechanic could seem to pinpoint problem or solution (squeaky brakes despite all brake work, slow to start with no identifiable problem). She has about 83,000 miles. Today, I took the first step with a new battery. Interior lights and radio came back to life, but despite cranking (I think that’s the term) she wouldn’t fully start. What are the next logical steps? Thank you!

 

Verify fuel pressure and spark. Do you do your own wrenching?

 

What he said^^. You should also check your gas. If you left any in it, it's likely bad. Even if you added fresh fuel, old fuel (and possibly water) will still be in the lines, fuel rail and injectors. It may have gummed up and clogged the injectors.

Make sure the air cleaner is not clogged, and change the oil. Check/replace your spark plugs when you check for spark..

 

Great points. Once we get a response on ability level, we can get into specifics.

 

vacuum leaks? criters chewed any wires? grounds?

 

I would say check fuel pressure and spark. Also maybe check the spark plugs. Since it is a jeep it might be low on oil.