I recently bought a 1999 Jeep cherokee Sport 4x4, 6cyl. It runs perfect but takes exactly 3 attempts to start, most times! I have changed the spark plugs, cleaned the throttle plate, replaced with clean gas, added sea foam cleaner to the gas, and checked the cold start switches. No luck so far! Any ideas of what could be causing this issue? Thanks

 

If you find out let me know, been that way for years on mine. Don't bother replacing the crank position sensor it doesn't help.

 

Will let you know if I find out (xjmarc). My next step will likely be to try the distributor or fuel pump and check valve if I dont get any other ideas. Thanks

 

What does it do on the first 2 failed attempts? Could be a bad starter, starter relay, bad distributor, wrong firing order. Mine had a similar problem and it turned out the starter was grinding too hard against the flywheel.

 

It cranks normal on the first 2 attempts, but just wont turn over until the 3rd try. The engines runs perfect when started. I checked the main lead on the distrubutor and it is getting spark. Should I try to change the distributor anyway or try something else. Thanks

 

Did you find out anything? I have this same problem and have just been chalking it up as a renix thing...

 

try turning the key on and off 3 times then start it, if it starts could be fuel pressure regulator or weak pump

 

Just what I was thinking! Coach

 

My jeep used to do this. It ended up being the wire that runs from your positive battery terminal to the starter. Mine was corroded and it was just enough to keep it from starting sometimes. It would crank normal, but took a few tries to actually get it to turn over. *Shrug* I don't claim to be genius by any stretch of the imagination, but it might be worth checking out.

 

I swapped the fuel pump on mine and starter and it still does it.

 

mine would crank forever in am. but if cycled key 3 times would fire right up. replaced fuel pump and starts like new. took apart old one and it had a faulty diaphram. kit was 50 from rockauto.

 

97 and up use a different fuel pump that is the regulator, filter and sending unit all in one.

 

ya i could just get the pump, he'll have to get the whole sending unit. a big price differance, but same princable, bleedoff valve faulty.

 

one more thing you could try is replacing the fuel pump relay

 

I went up to the hunting camp and worked on the jeep again today. We checked all the wiring, battery, plugs, ect... Everything seemed fine and we can hear the fuel pump run. I'm trying to start with the simple things and work my way up. As always, the jeep runs smooth as ever when running. However, it actually seems to be getting worse with the starting issue as time goes on though. I tried the trick yall mentioned with turning the key to the on position (3 times) and it does try to start a little quicker, "sometimes", but it is not very consistent. I am still at a loss! Do yall think this sounds more like an electrical issue or fuel issue?