rgr4475

98 4.0 170,000 miles

Cold starts can crank for up to 5 seconds or so before it starts. After it warms, it cranks right up. Battery is almost 5 years old. Terminals and grounds look good. Next thought is fuel pump, followed by injectors.

Where should I begin and how can I test to determine what is failing?

4WD4EVER

I would recommend deep-cycle charging that battery then load-testing it before throwing money/time at anything else.

rgr4475

Will do, thanks.

BlueRidgeMark

"look good" means nothing. Take them apart and clean them.

See my sig, #1.

4WD4EVER

Let us know the results and we can go from there.

4WD4EVER

Was just going to edit my post and mention this as well.

Disconnect the grounds and clean them. One on the firewall (braided strap), one on oil dipstick tube and one on inside of fender near the battery.

BlueRidgeMark

The firewall braid isn't important. It's just there to suppress radio noise generated by the injectors. It's not intended to carry any appreciable current. If it ever does, you have big problems elsewhere.

4WD4EVER

Yep! Referred to it incorrectly.

Here they are:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/eng...130071/index2/

rgr4475

Thanks guys, going to try and get at this tomorrow and will report back. Appreciate the info!

rgr4475

Sorry for the delay, got busy and couldn't get to it until today.

So I thoroughly cleaned all the grounds and battery terminals. Cut the cranking time in half. I would say from about 4-5 secs or so to 2-3 secs or so on cold starts. Have only tried 1 cold start so far though.

BlueRidgeMark

There ya go!


Like I said, "looks good" means nothing.

jeep94Norway

if you are going to change the battery one day.I recommend optima battery the yellow one. I did use "regular" battery in my jeep xj 4 liter, before I change it to optima. and it tok 3-5 seconds. now with optima battery, my engine starts the second I turn the key. the yellow versjon can deliver up to 850 amp in short moment.

rgr4475

Prior to this situation, which is recent, my regular battery (from autozone) started the vehicle up no problem. No cranking delays etc. However like I mentioned the battery is 5+ years old at this point.

I am replacing soon. I am sure the yellow tops are great but $250 or so with a 3 year warranty doesn't like it's worth that extra money.

4WD4EVER

I've been using Interstate batteries for years and never had one fail. 5 yr warranties/~$130.00. Just my .02.

rgr4475

I have used them too in the past. No issues. However, it is not a true 5 year warranty. That one that is around $130 is the Mega Tron II. That has a 2 year free replacement then in year 3 it's 45% off SRP, 4th year 25% SRP and 5th year 10% off.

http://www.interstatebatteries.com/s..._USenglish.pdf