I drive a 2000 Cherokee Sport. For quite some time it has had a long start. When I don't start it for a day or two, or even longer, it will start up just as soon as the motor gets a half crank. But when I try to start it after already driving it once that day it cranks for 5-10 seconds. It has always started on the first time, the long start is just a concern. If I shut off the engine, and then turn it back on within a few seconds it will fire up without hesitation too, but it seems like if the engine has a chance to start cooling down it gets cranky. Is my baby just getting old?

 

does it start right away if you prime it first by cycling the key back and forth?

 

My 93 does the long start when it's cold.

 

No, it doesn't start right away if I cycle it. I always wait after engaging the ignition until the fuel pump turns off too.

 

I had the same problem on my 01'. I changed the fuel pump, and the problem completely went away. Unfortunately, this is not an easy task since you have to drop the fuel tank. I drained the tank as much as I could, then put a jack with a piece of plywood on top to lower and balance the tank. The swap was easy once the tank was out. It took me 3 hrs to drop the tank by myself, but only 30 minutes to get it back under the jeep. now she starts everytime with no problems, cold or hot.

 

I might consider that. I had it at the mechanic a while back when it stopped starting all together and I couldn't figure out why. Turned out to be a bad CPS. I asked him then if replacing the sensor fixed the long start and he said, "no, that's just the way a lot of those cherokees start." I've mentioned this to a few other jeepers and every single time I'm told that this is not something they've heard of.

 

I would definately check the easier items first, but mine was doing the exact same thing as you described. It ran fine, with maybe a slightly rough idle, but starting was an issue. Especially if it had been sitting for awhile. I could crank it, then turn the key off and crank it again, and it would fire up after a few seconds, but if I shut it off for just a couple minutes and cranked it, it wouldn't have any issues. If I'm not mistaken, the fuel pump, regulator and filter/strainer are all one unit. So it could be one of those items, or a combination of the three.

Someone else might be able to verify what I said about it all being one unit, or correct me if I'm wrong. I bought mine at NAPA, and they are not cheap. BTW, I did not get any codes whatsoever while this was going on.

Hope you get it fixed soon.

 

I believe you are probably right about it all being contained in a single unit. I can't recall ever seeing a filter in all the time I've spent crawling around underneath.

 

i started using redex fuel system cleaner in my diesil cherokee. and had problems