New Jeep Owner
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
New Jeep Owner
Hey everybody! My name is William Elser and I just recently bought a 2001 Jeep Cherokee Limited, I've been wanting to own this particular Jeep for quite a while now and couldn't be happier with it, however after giving it a tune up and oil change among other things I've noticed it starts pretty hard still. I have it narrowed down to possibly replacing the fuel pump or the fuel pressure regulator or I've even been told the cam shaft sensor. Anyway I joined this forum to get advice and be a part of the community here lol. Anyway any help or advice would be greatly appreciated, I plan on having this Jeep for a long time and want to keep it nice.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 4
From: Riviera, Texas
Year: 1998 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
If you are thinking that you have a fuel problem. The best thing to do is verify the fuel pressure at the fuel rail with a mechanical pressure gauge. If I'm not mistaken the pressure should be at 49psi + or - 5psi.
Welcome to the forum.
BTW, Not to worry you or anything. Just some friendly advice. With you year you have a crappy 0331 head on it so you do want to keep up on the cooling system and try not to let it over heat. The head you have has the tendency of cracking if over heated.
Welcome to the forum.
BTW, Not to worry you or anything. Just some friendly advice. With you year you have a crappy 0331 head on it so you do want to keep up on the cooling system and try not to let it over heat. The head you have has the tendency of cracking if over heated.
Last edited by RTorrez1; Apr 18, 2013 at 06:37 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola, Fl
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I had a horrible time starting my Jeep recently, I took out the Throttle Body and cleaned up the IAC (Idle Air Control) Sensor/Plunger, now it starts up first try pretty much every time.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
I appreciate the advice man, I may take it to auto zone to have the fuel pressure checked before I do anything. And as far as the head goes, is this something I should replace or just something to keep an eye on? Not to be ignorant or anything I just want to know as much about my Jeep as possible, like I said it's a nice Jeep and I'll do whatever I have to to keep it that way lol
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CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 12,367
Likes: 23
From: Oroville, CA
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter
I appreciate the advice man, I may take it to auto zone to have the fuel pressure checked before I do anything. And as far as the head goes, is this something I should replace or just something to keep an eye on? Not to be ignorant or anything I just want to know as much about my Jeep as possible, like I said it's a nice Jeep and I'll do whatever I have to to keep it that way lol
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 5,302
Likes: 23
From: Wisconsin
Model: Cherokee
Try priming the fuel rail before starting:
Key on 5 seconds (you'll hear the fuel pump run).
Key off.
Key on 5 more seconds.
Key off.
Now try starting.
If it starts right up it's probably a bad check valve, allowing pressure to bleed down. Not a big issue provided you don't mind turning the key a couple of times.
The cracked head issue- if you read the Jeep forums for a while you'll see it a lot. In reality there are thousands of these things zipping around with no problems driven by owners who might never post about it on a forum. You only hear about it when one goes bad. Keep the cooling system in good condition, watch for overheating, keep an eye on the coolant level and don't let it keep you awake.
Key on 5 seconds (you'll hear the fuel pump run).
Key off.
Key on 5 more seconds.
Key off.
Now try starting.
If it starts right up it's probably a bad check valve, allowing pressure to bleed down. Not a big issue provided you don't mind turning the key a couple of times.
The cracked head issue- if you read the Jeep forums for a while you'll see it a lot. In reality there are thousands of these things zipping around with no problems driven by owners who might never post about it on a forum. You only hear about it when one goes bad. Keep the cooling system in good condition, watch for overheating, keep an eye on the coolant level and don't let it keep you awake.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
Try priming the fuel rail before starting:
Key on 5 seconds (you'll hear the fuel pump run).
Key off.
Key on 5 more seconds.
Key off.
Now try starting.
If it starts right up it's probably a bad check valve, allowing pressure to bleed down. Not a big issue provided you don't mind turning the key a couple of times.
The cracked head issue- if you read the Jeep forums for a while you'll see it a lot. In reality there are thousands of these things zipping around with no problems driven by owners who might never post about it on a forum. You only hear about it when one goes bad. Keep the cooling system in good condition, watch for overheating, keep an eye on the coolant level and don't let it keep you awake.
Key on 5 seconds (you'll hear the fuel pump run).
Key off.
Key on 5 more seconds.
Key off.
Now try starting.
If it starts right up it's probably a bad check valve, allowing pressure to bleed down. Not a big issue provided you don't mind turning the key a couple of times.
The cracked head issue- if you read the Jeep forums for a while you'll see it a lot. In reality there are thousands of these things zipping around with no problems driven by owners who might never post about it on a forum. You only hear about it when one goes bad. Keep the cooling system in good condition, watch for overheating, keep an eye on the coolant level and don't let it keep you awake.
Yeah I had a buddy at work have me try the same thing and it still does it, my jeep starts everytime, the issue is I guess I expect it to start alot quicker. My brother in law has a 95 cherokee sport in pretty rough shape and that thing starts right up no problem, makes me shake my head man
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,169
Likes: 6
From: York, PA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
There should be a date of manufacture on the side of the battery somewhere. Check it out, maybe get it tested to be sure. Is the starter just real slow to turn over, or it just takes a while for the engine to fire?