Traveling through town, my 90 XJ died while in flight. It cra nks snd cranks so i think it must be out of fuel as my fuel guage is very inaccurate. So i push it down the street to the gas station and put $20 worth of fuel in it. I cycle the ignition a few times to pressurize the system. Still no start...only cranks. I also don't hear the fuel pump humming or making any noise.

I buy a can of ether and spray it into the intake tube. Engine fires, runs a second or two then stumbles and dies.

Experience tells me this is likely a bad fuel pump. Anything else it could be like a fuse or relay? Does anyone think it could be anything other than a fuel issue based on what I'm describing?

 

check for current at plug to pump

 

If it starts with starting fluid then you absolutely have good spark but have no fuel delivery.

I don't recall how the control electronics is set up for the fuel pump on the Renix 4.0 but you should verify all fuses and relays.

If they're good, then you are likely going to have to replace your fuel pump. Don't buy an Airtex.

 

There's a ceramic resistor in the inner fender by the air cleaner. Bat voltage goes in the front (for a couple seconds, then when it starts), and the rear goes straight to the pump. With a meter or a test light (or something), you can check for current there. It's the other end of the wire Freedgr mentioned I think. The fuel pump relay is the second one back of those four.

 

photo

 

There's nothing wrong with the Airtex pumps for earlier model Jeeps.

Just don't buy an Airtex pump for a late model with the pump assembly on top of the tank.

 

What's wrong with Airtex?

 

In later model Jeeps (97+) they are notorious for kicking the bucket prematurely.

 

Disagree. But don't take my word for it. A quick search of the web and other Jeep forums will find evidence of plenty of unhappy Airtex fuel pump owners for all years of the XJ.

Here is one of many threads.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/ai...-96674/index2/

Stay away from them IMHO. Sure some guys are using them and not having issues, but I've personally had a number of them go belly up in short order or worse yet, not even work out of the box. Because of that, I won't install them or recommend them. Many parts stores carry the Airtex because of their "attractive" price. But don't let price be the only criteria for you. Spend a little more on better options including Bosch (my 1st choice) and Carter.

 

I bought just the pump worked less than 10 minutes returned it . Bought plug and play airtech assembly been about a year no issues .

 

I sold Carter for years and eventually switched over to Airtex because of too many warranties. Airtex has worked out great.

 

So I have run a jumper between the connectors for the ballast resistor ss a bypasd and it still only cranks. I also ran a jumper between terminal 30 and 87 on the fuel pump relay, turned the key and listened for the fuel pump running...nothing...safe to say fuel pump is toast?

 

It does sound like it, if you put power to that rear wire off the ballast and hear nothing. Like freedgr mentioned, you might want to see that it is indeed making it to the pump, long wire there. Maybe the longest? Pumps do fail, I've been through a few.