Fsher21

96 cherokee sport 4.0 starts up great the first time cold, but if i drive it and try to start it up a second time, it revs for a split second, idles down really quick and almost stalls, then slowly builds up to a nice 750 or so idle in about 5-7 seconds.

today i ran home for lunch for 20 mins, went to start it back up, and didnt hold the key long enough and it stalled before getting back up to 750 rpm. I tried to restart it, but it just kept cranking and when i stopped, it almost started but died again on me. Tried keeping the key turned 2 clicks before starting, letting it sit for about 5 mins, nothing. I can start it with my foot on the gas, but once i let it drop below 750rpm it stalls again.

I can smell gas, doesnt look like my rail is leaking, maybe a tiny bit. Would this be my fuel filter? I need to get back to work eventually here, but I can't figure out what my issue would be.

Thanks and sorry for being long winded

Gee oh Dee

If you can smell gas it may be flooded.

I have similar idling issues, I've narrowed it down to IAC or TPS.

Fsher21

how long should i wait to start it again? it has been about 30 mins since i last tried, and about 60 minutes since i shut it off. If I try to start it while it is still flooded, will i have to wait a while again before i can try again?

would resetting the computer make a difference at all?

Gee oh Dee

I don't think resetting the ECU will help.

As for it being flooded, its hard to say. Maybe pull a plug and see if its soaked with fuel?

Fsher21

Just went out and it started. kind of stumbled a bit and the rpm took about 5 seconds to register past 0, not normal I do not think. It idled smooth for about 3 or 4 minutes until I shut it off. So I have a temp. fix, but now I am looking for a permanent solution. I know my tstat needs to be replaced, my engine runs at about 170 or so and doesnt heat up well at all. Doubt that would be related though?

Thanks

Gee oh Dee

Yeah, probably not related.

No CELs?

Fsher21

None

thundaluvin

Bad gas/water in gas. It's been so cold here that it's always a possibility. Check the injectors and makes sure one doesn't have a crack. If water gets to the injector and it's shut off, it could very easily freeze and crack. Happened to my old dakota.

Fsher21

but wouldnt that be a consistent problem? Seems that would make all my starts bad, it would run rough, etc? My issue is very specific to the second start within about 30mins.

My injectors are dry, a few have a slight 1" old looking leak around them, but nothing looks fresh and no way for water to get up there that i can think of. I can't see any visible breaks either

thundaluvin

Have you looked at the coil? cap, rotor, CPS, cam sensor? All of these parts will give you the symptoms you are describing. They work fine when cold, but after warming up they give intermittent sputtering and sometimes stalling. It could very well be the fuel pump beginning to go out as well. If you are smelling fuel, you either have a leak or improper burning of the fuel. If you don't see the leak check the other components to verify functionality.

89Laredo

Sounds like cps

thanks for responding to my PM a while ago, btw...

Fsher21

oh ****! I read it on my phone then forgot to reply lmao my bad. ill get right on that, havent been on the site in a while...

freegdr

have you ever cleaned the iac motor and its mounting hole

Fsher21

I have done very little work since it was passed down to me two years ago. I joined this forum recently to get a better understanding of my xj and have a huge list of crap to do for when it warms up outside.

what would cleaning that do?

thundaluvin

If you have a place to work on it I would be more than happy to help anytime I can. I live about an hour from you and I won't charge you a dime.