I Have a 98 Jeep Cherokee 4.0 with 131,000 miles on it. When I Try to start my Jeep for the first time The jeep will just crank 4 to 6 times before it starts and it will start perfect every time after that. If I Let it crank over 1 time turn the ignition off and try to start again it will start right up. I Have New plugs and wires in the jeep New Fuel pump new 02 censors new TPS and IAC. My Reverse lights work. any ideas on what this can be? Thanks...

 

 

I'm learning as I go also...

First thought is the Crank Position Sensor (caused a hard start...lots of cranking before it would start...if it did at all..on my '95).

However....almost sounds like you're losing fuel pressure while it is sitting.

Try:
When it's cold (i.e...when you normally have trouble starting it)

Turn the key to the on (not start) position. Listen for the fuel pump to run for a few seconds. Turn the key off, wait a few seconds then repeat.

Try this once or twice more...then try to start it.

If it starts fine, you may have something allowing the fuel to flow back into the tank (takes time to get to the engine), or something not keeping the fuel system pressurized.

Maybe an expert can take over from there..

AFARR

 

My '96 sort of acted that way when the fuel filter rusted through and it bled off pressure when not running.

 

Did you install the entire fuel pump assembly, or just the fuel pump?

There is a check valve in the regulator and when that goes bad, you can have a bleed down of fuel pressure and the exact symptoms you are describing.

And if the engine stumbles and runs rough for a few seconds after it starts, you could have a leaky fuel injector. That leak bleeds down pressure and then it runs rough for a short time as the excess raw fuel is burned off.

Get a fuel pressure gauge and start testing your way to the root cause here.

 

I Purchased just the fuel pump according to the parts store and the receipt The parts store said I can purchase just the pressure regulator. My question is now Can I replace the pressure regulator without pulling the fuel pump out of the tank? Is the pressure regulator mounted on top of the pump and or outside of the tank?

 

sounds like a bad check valve to me