cpenn

So, I have a 2001 Cherokee Sport; 4.0L; automatic; 2wd.

The other day at the gas station, I turned the engine off, filled the tank, and went to start it back up. When I turned the key, the ignition came on, but all the electronics cut out when the starter tried to engage. I figured I must have forgotten to tighten the (-) battery cable and it had worked loose. I was right. oops.

After tightening that, The engine would not start. On the first attempt it fired right up but died 2 seconds later. It would turn over just fine, just wouldn't start up. After about 1/2 hour of checking fuses etc. and trying to start it, I tried starting it with my foot on the gas. This worked, but the engine would die if I lifted my foot off the gas. I started it and after about 5 minutes of revving just to keep it on, it would hold a slightly fluctuating idle around 600 rpm or so (lower than usual).

I drove it home and from then on, it has worked fine like nothing ever happened. Is there anything I should be worried about? Anything I should be checking? I'm going to start by cleaning out the throttle body, especially the Idle Air Controller.

NathanJ

Sounds like the throttle position sensor

Kalali

Time for a new battery

tjwalker

The #1 cause of engine stalling on the 4.0 is a marginal battery.

And before you ask, yes....you can have a battery that is strong enough to start the engine, but marginal enough to give the engine management system fits and stall the engine. It happens all the time.

If this was a simple battery connection issue, tightening those connections may have resolved your problem, your alternator recharged your battery (you were symptomatic while this was happening....that is why you had to stay on the throttle) and the symptom disappeared as soon as the battery was adequately charged.

But if it ever returns, get your battery "load tested". Load testing is the only accurate way of determining battery condition. Any parts store will do this for you for free.

Keep us updated!

AVjeeper

Wow! The battery? I've been experiencing this similar problem for at least a month now. No other problems other than starting with my foot on the gas for the first couple minutes. Thanks for the post and suggestions.

Texcuda

While the bit about batteries is true, especially in Jeeps, keep in the mind the good ole stuff, IAC and TPS can cause your problem. A marginal IAC will cause the exact same problem. I know b/c I listened to everyone here and replaced my battery and cables to no effect. Had to then replace the IAC which cured it.

NathanJ

I had a '97 XJ did the same thing and it was the TPS

cpenn

Wow, thanks for all the advice. Yesterday I was able to clean out the throttle body and IAC. There was a moderate amount of crud in the IAC surrounding the pintle. The jeep's running good at the moment so unless it happens again, i'll hold off on replacing the IAC or TPC.

I took the battery out and cleaned it with CRC Battery Protectant (the yellow foaming cleaner that turns pink in the presence of acid). Half the battery turned pink so I suspect it is about time for a new battery. This one's more than a few years old anyways.

Any suggestions on where to get a good battery?

Jjs2000xj

If your not wanting to spend the money for an optima (understood) I went with an autocraft from advance auto parts. Gold series will give you at least 700 CCA and it's 3 yr replacement and 84 mo pro-rated. I also heard they are manufactured by Johnson controls which has a good reputation for quality. Also order it online and use code P20 for checkout and choose in store pick up. You'll get the discount and you can swap it out there to get your core charge back. All in all works out good. Including tax about ~$100 and you can have them do an alternator test with a printed readout showing how it's doing health wise. Mine was ok... But it's 12 yrs old with 150k miles so it's to be expected

kgbigwheels

I am in the same position as first post. I have been putting off the bad idle situation for about a year now. Few months ago my rig died completley. Battery was corroded. Cleaned it, got it tested, results came came back positive. Jeep fired up right away. About a week ago ran into the same issues. Would start, wouldnt keep idle unless I held gas pedal down. Now completley dead, no power anywhere. Should I replace battery? Clean throttle body? Replace TPC? I am assuming the battery died from when I have been cranking on it and gassing it to get it started.

buck11

Sounds like a bad ignition switch

kgbigwheels

why no idle then when it does start?

millman

Left my dome light on thursday night.Fri morning battery dead,charged all day while at work.now the jeep won't idle.Battery 7years old.Would 10 hours of 2 amp charging be enough to get to full charge.

tjwalker

A full discharge like your 7 year old battery experienced can be the final blow that kills an older battery.

You can have the battery "load tested" at any parts store for free, but this battery is very likely on its last legs and at 7 years of age, doesn't owe you anything. Average lifespan is closer to 4-5 years, depending on where you live and how your vehicle is used.

I'd be installing a new battery if this were my ride....

BlueRidgeMark

On a good battery, yes. On a 7 year old battery, not so much. If the discharge didn't kill it, the recharging might have.

I'll second the motion for the NAPA Gold battery. Hard to go wrong there.

I'm reading a lot of complaints about the newer Optimas on another forum where a lot of people like them. Or USED to like them. Seems they changed ownership, and maybe they are cutting corners.