Engine Cranks Sounds Like it Has Trouble Starting/Keeping Idle
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L6
Hello everyone, new here and to the XJ community. The Jeep I got had some modifications to it before I bought it but I’ve had the Jeep for about a year now, but with my job schedule I unfortunately have little time to take it out.
Anyways, my 1992 XJ has been sitting for quite a few months now and it seems like it doesn’t want to keep idle
I hooked jumper cables to it, tried to start it, and it sounds like it wants to start but sputters out. It will not idle at all.
From what I can tell it looks like all the vacuum hoses are connected and contain no leaks. I replaced the cap and rotor about 2 years ago, but I had gone through some massive puddles since then. Any insight as what it could be?
As far as I know, the Jeep is completely stock besides tires, long arms, and a locked rear diff.
Thank you to everyone who replies!
Anyways, my 1992 XJ has been sitting for quite a few months now and it seems like it doesn’t want to keep idle
I hooked jumper cables to it, tried to start it, and it sounds like it wants to start but sputters out. It will not idle at all.
From what I can tell it looks like all the vacuum hoses are connected and contain no leaks. I replaced the cap and rotor about 2 years ago, but I had gone through some massive puddles since then. Any insight as what it could be?
As far as I know, the Jeep is completely stock besides tires, long arms, and a locked rear diff.
Thank you to everyone who replies!
CF Veteran




Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,965
Likes: 964
From: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Welcome! 
Wow. That's rare! He actually described the problem and told us the year and engine, instead of making us guess! Nice!
Okay, lessee whatcha got here. Sitting is one of the hardest things on machinery. Fuel these days is not what it used to be, and it would not surprise me if it's gunked some things up. Your Idle Air Control (IAC) valve is suspect. Search this forum for how to clean it up and test the electrical side of it. You'll want to do a fuel pressure test. IIRC, you want to see about 39 PSI, but don't quote me on that. Wander over to cruiser54.com and do the tips there. I think you might find the fuel pressure spec on his site.
Here's a quick tip to see if you have a fuel or spark problem - starting fluid, or something like WD-40. Give it a shot and see if the thing runs. If that makes it go roundy roundy for a few seconds, you have a very strong indication that you aren't getting fuel.
You can also get a cheapo spark tester and see what you are getting out of the coil and to each spark plug.

Wow. That's rare! He actually described the problem and told us the year and engine, instead of making us guess! Nice!

Okay, lessee whatcha got here. Sitting is one of the hardest things on machinery. Fuel these days is not what it used to be, and it would not surprise me if it's gunked some things up. Your Idle Air Control (IAC) valve is suspect. Search this forum for how to clean it up and test the electrical side of it. You'll want to do a fuel pressure test. IIRC, you want to see about 39 PSI, but don't quote me on that. Wander over to cruiser54.com and do the tips there. I think you might find the fuel pressure spec on his site.
Here's a quick tip to see if you have a fuel or spark problem - starting fluid, or something like WD-40. Give it a shot and see if the thing runs. If that makes it go roundy roundy for a few seconds, you have a very strong indication that you aren't getting fuel.
You can also get a cheapo spark tester and see what you are getting out of the coil and to each spark plug.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L6
Welcome! 
Wow. That's rare! He actually described the problem and told us the year and engine, instead of making us guess! Nice!
Okay, lessee whatcha got here. Sitting is one of the hardest things on machinery. Fuel these days is not what it used to be, and it would not surprise me if it's gunked some things up. Your Idle Air Control (IAC) valve is suspect. Search this forum for how to clean it up and test the electrical side of it. You'll want to do a fuel pressure test. IIRC, you want to see about 39 PSI, but don't quote me on that. Wander over to cruiser54.com and do the tips there. I think you might find the fuel pressure spec on his site.
Here's a quick tip to see if you have a fuel or spark problem - starting fluid, or something like WD-40. Give it a shot and see if the thing runs. If that makes it go roundy roundy for a few seconds, you have a very strong indication that you aren't getting fuel.
You can also get a cheapo spark tester and see what you are getting out of the coil and to each spark plug.

Wow. That's rare! He actually described the problem and told us the year and engine, instead of making us guess! Nice!

Okay, lessee whatcha got here. Sitting is one of the hardest things on machinery. Fuel these days is not what it used to be, and it would not surprise me if it's gunked some things up. Your Idle Air Control (IAC) valve is suspect. Search this forum for how to clean it up and test the electrical side of it. You'll want to do a fuel pressure test. IIRC, you want to see about 39 PSI, but don't quote me on that. Wander over to cruiser54.com and do the tips there. I think you might find the fuel pressure spec on his site.
Here's a quick tip to see if you have a fuel or spark problem - starting fluid, or something like WD-40. Give it a shot and see if the thing runs. If that makes it go roundy roundy for a few seconds, you have a very strong indication that you aren't getting fuel.
You can also get a cheapo spark tester and see what you are getting out of the coil and to each spark plug.
update, 60amp fuses are blown for Alt. Power 1 AND 2. What are those for?
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 30
From: Detroit, Michigan
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Refresh your ground wires... sounds like that might be all of your issues rolled into one.
Like Mark said, go to Cruiser54s website. See his ground wire refreshing/improvement section. Its free and just takes some time and elbow Grease.
Like Mark said, go to Cruiser54s website. See his ground wire refreshing/improvement section. Its free and just takes some time and elbow Grease.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L6
Sounds good! I’ll give it a try tomorrow. Thanks for your advice👍🏼
CF Veteran




Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
......and be darn sure that you have a GOOD battery while you are working this. Jump starting a weak battery does not cut it. Get a good battery installed and fully charged before starting again.
Have the battery load tested if there is any doubt. Any parts store will do this for you for free. All engine life starts with electrons.
You do not want to be chasing your tail here.
Have the battery load tested if there is any doubt. Any parts store will do this for you for free. All engine life starts with electrons.
You do not want to be chasing your tail here.
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