Slow fail starting
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Lenhartsville, PA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Gents, perhaps you can tell me what I'm missing. Bought the Jeep. When she is at operating temps, she runs smooth and strong. Starting was a problem. Over the course of a month, went from starting hard to not at all. Here is what I did thus far.
Battery is new and strong, starter spins and sounds right.
IAC valve installed due to idle issue when it was starting.
Cleaned grounds thoroughly - all 5 as listed by a forum member here.
Made sure there was still gas in the tank.
Listened for fuel pump to run when my wife turned it on - it did
Released pressure at fuel rail to see if the 'right' amount came out. Check.
Safe to assume I'm getting fuel I think.
So if it isn't a fuel pump issue because I'm getting fuel at the rail,
and if it ran strong when last run, I assume I can rule out ignition issue,
So what is my problem? Honest guys, the electronics stuff is not my strongpoint so if you tell me to check something, best to describe what it looks like and where it is.
By the way... Happy 4Th!
Battery is new and strong, starter spins and sounds right.
IAC valve installed due to idle issue when it was starting.
Cleaned grounds thoroughly - all 5 as listed by a forum member here.
Made sure there was still gas in the tank.
Listened for fuel pump to run when my wife turned it on - it did
Released pressure at fuel rail to see if the 'right' amount came out. Check.
Safe to assume I'm getting fuel I think.
So if it isn't a fuel pump issue because I'm getting fuel at the rail,
and if it ran strong when last run, I assume I can rule out ignition issue,
So what is my problem? Honest guys, the electronics stuff is not my strongpoint so if you tell me to check something, best to describe what it looks like and where it is.
By the way... Happy 4Th!
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 4
From: Glen Burnie, MD
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 H.O. K&N, Borla headers, custom down pipe, magnaflow hi-flo cat, flowmaster to turn down tip
Did you change your fuel filter? Probably so clogged up it wont start. Happened to me. If you want to test it before replacing it, remove it and blow in the direction fuel goes though it like blowing though a straw. If you have more then little to no resistance, change it, that is probobly your issue. Even if it is getting fuel at the rail on first ignition, is it getting enough fuel to run the motor is the possible issue.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Lenhartsville, PA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Thanks for reply guys. I will give both suggestions a whirl and see where it goes. I did remove and clean the cruddy mess of a throttle body inside and out after sending out the request for aid. Thanks again.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Lenhartsville, PA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Great advice. Bought a gauge, tested pressure and it was all but non-existent. Discovered that the fuel module consisted of pump, filter, gauge, and regulator all in one unit. Removing the tank, replacing the module, and putting the tank back in was not all that difficult. And once again she starts.
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,577
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Great advice. Bought a gauge, tested pressure and it was all but non-existent. Discovered that the fuel module consisted of pump, filter, gauge, and regulator all in one unit. Removing the tank, replacing the module, and putting the tank back in was not all that difficult. And once again she starts. 

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