Well I noticed it this week. Before I would turn the key to the on position and I could hear the fuel pump. I would leave the key on the on position for like 5 seconds turn the key and it would start right up. Now I don't hear my fuel pump like I always did. I cranked it and no start had to keep cranking till I heard the fuel pump get louder and louder (to where it sounded like it sounded before) then it started. Today on the way home it would not go over 45mph. I put the pedal to the metal and 45mph was as fast as i could go. I Put it in neutral and reved it up and it would hit 4000rpm and go down to 1000rpm and back up to 4000 and back down to 1000 on the rpms. It idles pretty good does not miss. Is it the fuel pump going bad? Do 89 XJ's have a check valve? Or should I check something else. The TPS is like 7 months old I replaced it when it didnt shift. Is there an additive I can add just in case the fuel pump is going dry or something?? Anybody had this problem?

 

bump

 

replace your inline fuel filter for a cheap attempt. if this doesnt fix anything than go ahead and replace the pump. the great thing about these jeeps is they only take 15 min to replace since the fuel pump goes in and out on the front of the tank.. just make sure u have half a tank or less in fuel. and proper ventilation.

 

I had similar symptoms on my 89 XJ and got worse. Started to idle very rough, hard to start, would not go more than 25-30 mph. Took it to the shop and scanned it. Code read lean. Checked fuel pressure on the fuel rail and it was like 15psi, should be like 35 psi. I didn't hear the fuel pump buzz anymore. Changed the fuel pump and filter. Life is pleasant again. Now I definitely hear the fuel pump buzz when I turn the key. 293k miles and running strong.

 

If you're driving a 1989 vehicle of any sort with potentially the OEM electric fuel pump, that has the symptomology you describe, change the pump & filter.