My Jeep cranks like it wants to start and seems like it isn't getting fuel, I replaced by cps as it's common to go out and easiest to replace.

My fuel pump, regulator is in the tank so i figured if it's one of those I'd go at those last.

I've replaced the fuel pump, regulator, strainer etc mine is in the gas tank.... Those were replaced when i first got the Jeep 5 yrs ago.

I've replaced the fuel filter as well. In the last 2-3 yrs I've replaced so many things on this Jeep it might as well be a brand new Jeep. I use mopar parts 90% of the time as they tend to last longer.

I'm trying to figure out what options could be causing this thing to crank and crank like it wants to start but it's just not.

Was driving the thing not even 5 minutes after leaving my place and it just died. No sputtering, nothing just died. Wouldn't start back up.

Prior to this, for the past many months, I've had the issue of it always dying at every stop, so id throw it in neutral and put it back into drive to go. I'm sure these are probably related and whatever was causing this finally crapped out. If sitting in park though idling it wouldn't die, not once.

Throw me some suggestions. Id appreciate it.

Is there a way i can test the fuel pump, regulator??

96 Cherokee 4x4 automatic

 

neutral safety switch?

 

test fuel pressure at the rail. have you pulled a plug wire while it's. ranking to see if it's getting spark? report back with what it's missing.

 

You need spark and fuel ( and air but that's not usually a problem). First verify the spark. Take a plug out, reconnect the plug wire and put it by the block. Crank it and you should see a spark on the plug. Once you verify that, then verify fuel.
You can start by pressing the valve on the side of the fuel rail. It should spit out some fuel since it's under pressure. You can rent or buy a fuel pressure gauge and scree it on that valve. It should be 49 PSI. Here is a video: If you think it's fuel, you could try spraying some starting fluid in the intake and seeing if it will run. If it does, then it's a fuel problem.

Once you know it's getting fuel and spark or if one is missing then you can dig further. I recently had a problem where the auto shut down (ASD) fuse blew preventing any spark. It was caused by me twiddling a fuel injector under the throttle bracket and shorting it. The ASD circuit includes the injectors so it blew the fuse. The CPS will also prevent spark.

 

Swap your fuel pump relay with your starter relay and see if it starts. If that is not it, check your NSS.

 

i had the same problem with my 96 jeep.

it would crank and crank but never start.

in fact every time i replaced something it would start and run perfect for a day then the next day same thing.

since replacing the parts i've done its run just fine for the last two months but here's a list of what i replaced.

crankshaft position sensor worked fin for a day
ignition coil worked fine for a day

the following below all done at the same time and has worked fine since then.
distributor cap
rotor
wires
ignition coil pickup switch or sensor (not sure what its called most call it the cam sensor but you can't find the part under that name).

after those last 4 things was replaced not had an issue starts every time.

i think the wires might have been the most expensive part too
think the roator and cap cost me like 15 total
ignition coil pickup was like 20 i think
and wires was almost 30.

wires probably was not needed since when it was working it worked just fine same with the cap and rotor but you have to remove them to get to the ignition coil pickup aka cam sensor and my wires looked old so i just replaced them all.

 

I know it might seem silly but have you checked the battery......crazy I know but I kinda had the same issue a while back and after putting a fuel pump in it it didn't really help. so at work I tested the battery and found out it had a bad cell. replaced the battery. haven't had the problem since....most autopart store will test the battery for free. its a long shot it worked for me. good luck

 

Could you send me a link to the ignition coil pickup switch... I've replaced a ridiculously absurd amount of things on the Jeep in the past year plus and my ignition coil is just one of the many, but the switch itself i don't know that I've replaced. Everything else was replaced and i took the NSS out cleaned it etc and put it back, looks brand new now. I've replaced everything mentioned thus far, sadly. My battery is only a few months old, a gold series from advance, alternator etc etc all replaced recently.
hopefully i can narrow it down when i get home

 

I've never replaced this, could this be a possible culprit, if so Is there any way to test it?

 

Let's test that fuel pressure before throwing parts at it.

And you can always verify spark before replacing any ignition related parts:

1- Pull the coil plug wire off the distributor
2- put a bolt or something metal in the end of the boot and let it sit CLOSE TO the block or something else metal while having someone else hit the starter.
3- If you see an arc jumping from the coil to the metal object that is near the end of that wire, you have spark and your pickup sensor/syn sensor/stator as well as your CPS is working properly.... therefore eliminating your need to replace either of those two parts.

 

that the part

so hard to find cause of its name. most call that the cam sensor.

that was the last main part i replaced when i did the distributor cap, rotor and wires and that part all at the same time. out of everything there i put my money that was the part that finally worked and fixed the problem.

 

got spark, planned on jogging to walmart to pick up some starter fluid last night.... OF COURSE it rained cats & dogs all freaking night so I never got it. Headed there after I get off work at 6.

 

I can't believe last year when I first had issues with it randomly dying on me and the sudden poor gas mileage and so forth, I couldn't find the "cam sensor" as I was told I should replace, and well that's because it's not called that, it's actually called the Distributor Ignition Pickup Coil.

Upon reading "the distributor ignition pickup coils generate a voltage that is sent to the ICM (Ignition Control Module) for proper ignition firing. When the pickup coil is not replaced, your vehicle may experience no start, hard start, intermittent engine shut down, misfire, engine cut out, excessive fuel consumption"

It's like hearing me read off all the issues this damn thing has been having for a year!

Thanks so much.

Lets hope its one or the other of the options I've been given.

 

Have you tried this yet?

I've had those same symptoms you're talking about, landed at the same conclusion, bought the part, replaced it, and it ended up not fixing it.

TEST things before you buy replacement parts. It will actually save you money in the end.

 

Yes I did. I get spark. When I got the Jeep it has nearly all the original parts that came with it, most had ever been replaced. The vehicle belonged to my brother in another state since brand new. I have no issues replacing the cheaper, smaller parts here and there, as "preventative maintenance" because at some point in it's life it will need to be replaced.
I keep records of everything I do, and all my receipts. I have always been this way, so I have a great record of all work done on this Jeep. When someone gives me options, such as yourself. I take the time to read and re-read and read it a third time to get a full understanding of what the parts do and symptoms, and I try to get a good enough understanding of all possible things that part does etc.. So I appreciate all the options given to me, because I don't watch TV and read or listen to music when I am not working soo reading about my Jeep and all the parts I hear about and get a better understanding of what they do is certainly a win win for any situation, even if that part has no issues. I just like knowing in the future if/when I do have a problem with the Jeep what things to look for and into.

thanks for your help.

starter fluid did nothing, would this mean it's more than likely fuel related?