96 xj upcountry 4wd 4.0 auto with 205k owned since 97

Thanks in advance for any comments/advice...sorry bout the post length.

Been key priming for several months now (3 twists and immediate start) for first start in morning and going home start end of day. Lunch fires right up.
No running issues (idle, stumbling, bogging, and doesn't die while driving).
Cap, rotor, wires, and plugs replaced in last 6 months. Battery and alt producing good and terminals tight.

Within last 2 weeks morning and end of day starts number of key twists have gone from 3 to 10-20 times. Pump sound is continuous and CEL and GEN lights are not on.

When CEL and GEN lights do finally flicker and come on, pump primes for 3 seconds and starts right up. Hot starts seem to be fine. I read up on check valve/pump and have one on the way but the connection with the CEL/GEN lights and the fact that it runs fine once started are beginning to make me think electrical.

Can anyone suggest an order of operations from least expensive/easy to most expensive/difficult?

 

Sounds like key cylinder is going bad--pump has nothing to do with GEN light

 

Does the check engine light ever stay on after engine starts?

 

Thank you for replies.

Cel and GEN lights go off after start up. If these lights are not on when I turn key engine will crank but not start and pump noise is heard continually.

When lights are present before engine is cranked pump primes normally and starts right up.

Will start with free stuff I've read on this forum search tomorrow (Freshen grounds, unplug/replug CPS, wiggle PCM harness with key in ON to see if CEL/GEN lights and pump prime affected).

 

Freshened grounds tonight and did not affect the lights. I did check fuel squirt at rail when lights not on and pump running continuously. Good volume came out so pump is working.

Will crank but not start. Turn key until cel/gen lights on and it starts.

some connection between the lights and spark? Ignition switch?

Check for spark tomorrow with no lights.

 

If you jiggle the crap out of the key in the run position, does that effect the dash lights?

Likewise if you jiggle the wiring connector on the ign switch does that effect the dash lights?

The switch had different "outs" but I'd thought the fuel pump would be with ign. My 90 DOES power the pump through a different circuit, right off the start relay, cranking. Yours might have something equivalent to that. What I mean is it might be pressuring up, without the main running current with the switch on on/run. (that would be the PCM grounding a relay terminal I think)