my xj has always taken a few seconds to start no matter what hot or cold
why doesnt it just start right up i have done all the routine maintance and it still takes a few seconds to start i dont understand y it doesnt just kick right over like every other car

how long does it take your xj to start mine is about 2-3 seconds

Because the CPS needs to see a certain rpm (500 I think) before it will try to fire. Only way to speed it up is with a beefier starter to get to that rpm quicker.

i have a brand new starter that i just put in a month ago

I believe he means something along the lines of a mean green starter.

mine takes 4-5 seconds on any morning thats below 0. other than thaten it warm almost instant.

Yeah its normal... mine takes about 3-5 seconds... and in the morning i just hold it until i know its running otherwise i end up cranking it again.. but just the first start of the day...

mine starts in under 1 1/2 seconds, with 252k miles on the engine, so no, it's not "normal", although a lot of people report long crank times.

long crank times can be due to a bunch of things, but usually either

1- a bad check valve in the fuel tank
2- slow starter, either from a corroded cable, or a poor ground connection to the engine block.
3- in need of a tune-up - clogged fuel filter, clogged injectors, worn out spark plugs/wires/cap and rotor, etc can all cause this.

#1 you have to replace the pump to fix. To check try turning the key to "on", wait a second or 2, then try and start
#2 try removing the starter and clean the contact surface between it and the engine block, and check the power wire for corrosion. Also freshen your grounds at the engine and battery, and the battery terminals.
#3 is self explanatory to fix

mine starts up as soon as i turn the key...within 1 second its running and i have 260k miles on it

well it seems to be very consistant. not intermittent.

i wish mine just started instantly

You have a Renix XJ (87-90) By design, the engine is not going to fire until the computer (ECU) gets a signal from the crankshaft position sensor and measures that signal to indicate that 300 rpms while cranking has been met/exceeded.

Somewhat extended crank times should be considered a “characteristic” of your engine, rather than a problem.

You can upgrade the battery and battery cables--at least 4 ga., 2 ga. better--and buy a high-torque starter.

Be sure that all grounds are good. Remove them and freshen them. You cannot tell if the grounds are electrically good by looking at them! Renix vehicles are very sensitive to ground issues.

Your CPS can be a bit weak, too. Unplug it and probe the two wires with your meter set on AC volts. You should get .5 as a reading. Anything down around .35 will cause long crank times and possible intermittent no-starts.

Other than that, performing basic tune-ups on a regular basis is important, (plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuel filter) The importance of fresh secondary ignition (tune up parts) cannot be overstated.

Good luck!

Dukie, you don't have a Renix era Jeep 1987 to 1990. It is in fact normal for the Renix Jeeps to have a longer crank time.

I find that if i turn the key to on for a second before turning it all the way to start, it gives time for the fuel pump to build pressure and allows a quicker start (0.5 sec vs 1 sec or so.)

Yes, on a 99. Renix Jeeps must turn a certain RPM for a specific amount of time before the ECU will give fuel and spark.

Aaahhh, the light bulb lights up. Just bought a 98 with the same problem. Got in the habit of cranking it over for a few turns, waiting a few seconds and hit the switch again, starts right away. Learning more everyday here!! These jeeps are different animals than I'm used to.