laxian55

Hey all, I have a 01 cherokee, 4.0. Everytime i start her, it cranks for between 15-30 seconds before it actually fires up. Any ideas? It doesnt matter if the motor is hot or cold, and does it at least 99% of the time. It does start every time though.My only thought is that there could be a problem with a fuel check valve on the tank, and that the system needs pressurized every time. Does that make sense?

Thanks!

89xjgrey

Lots of threads on that topic...do a little research first...but I'd hook up a fuel pressure gauge to the schrader valve, and watch pressure while cranking...just my .02

XJ Stryker

I would guess your starter is starting to go bad. It has to spin up to 300 rpm before it will fire and may just be taking alot to get to 300 RPM or you CPS isnt reading it good. It measure the RPM to fire the injectors to start your engine.

Feel free to ask any questions here w/ or w/o searching we won't flame ya.

Kyle

Try turning your key in the "on" position before actually turning the jeep on. That should decrease the cranking a bit and allow the fuel pump to prime itself.

offroadnut36

I used to have a problem like that, my engine needed a tune up. I got a new distributor cap and rotor cap and new spark plugs. It narrowed the start time down to 2 seconds. Im not sure if thats the thing that did it though. I also put in a new air filter and changed the oil.

JeepersCreepers

Mine does the same thing. It takes about 3 seconds to start. I replaced the spark plugs, ignition wire, cap and rotor, fuel filter, o2 sensor and it still does it. I noticed when i changed the fuel filter its started in about 1 second for about half the day then it went back to taking about 3 seconds to start. What else if there.

XJ Stryker

3 seconds is nothing that should be standard as the starter has to turn the vehicle over to 300 rpm's before the injectors will fire.

jpdocdave

common problem is check valve in fuel pump, or pressure regulator. i'd check fuel pressure. or try turning the key from off to on wait a couple seconds, then off, wait a couple seconds, cycle it again. do that a few times and see if it starts better. what that does is turns the fuel pump on, and primes the system a bunch of times. if it helps, that means the fuel pressure is leaking down.

theangler

I've got the same issue, with about a 10 second delay before starting. I've been doing some research on it. At first, I though starter, but the starter does not bog down or ever hesitate. I've been thinking that it could possibly have to do with spark, so distributor itself? Ignition coil? I've already replaced cap rotor button wires plugs. Maybe it's a fuel issue, fuel filter? pressure valve. The other then I saw when doing some research is the Oil pump. Apparently there's a sensor that requires the oil pressure to build up before it will fire. According to the write up this is common, but is not unsafe as it just takes a while to build up pressure, but once going it's fine.

So basically here's where I'm at on my XJ:
1.) new fuel filter
2.) Ignition Coil
3.) look further into fuel pressure / distributor / oil pump issues.

Maybe this will help you. I hope to have my issue resolved soon as I'm putting a remote start / keyless on it soon and I can only program the rem.start to turn the ignition over for 4 seconds 3 times. I hope to get it working. Rem. start $60, 8 wires to hook up, one relay for door locks, I'm a car elec. installer. I'll make a writeup after I've done the installation.

laxian55

Thanks a lot guys. Im gonna try a tune-up and priming my fuel system and go from there.

okcjeeper

Just to add to this for future searches.. I changed my Auto Shutdown Relay and my cranking time decreased dramatically..I never considered the ASD relay till I got a Code 42... Anyways just a cheap thing to try since you can toss your AC Relay in to test it since the AC relay is not needed to start and run.

ASD Relay for my 91 BWD part # R3177 at Advanced Auto Parts.