I have a 97 jeep Cherokee sport and when I start it I have to feather the gas and if I don't hold the gas pedel at a steady idle it dies. After holding the pedal steady at about 800rpms for a minute it finally finds the idle...????

 

Any CEL's on? Sounds like the tps.

 

Nope

 

Check the IAC.

 

I already did. And repLaced the cooling temp sensor

 

Same problem here, just started today. My battery isnt charged up for some reason tho. Its slow turning over the first few times I turn the kry and try to start it then it fires right up after like the 3rd time. Doesnt do it after the temp reaches like 205+...

 

1. Have your battery "load tested". Yes, you can have a battery that is strong enough to start the engine, but marginal enough to give you some symptoms until the alternator zips some juice into it.

2. If battery is not to blame, the throttle position sensor is probably the next suspect.

 

x2 for a start .
OP:When you said you checked the IAC, did you clean it?
It will need a bit of a systematic approach, since there could be more than one cause of your symptoms.
And only on cold start ups, or also when engine is warm?

 

Yes iv cleaned it, still did the same thing and if i remember right it only did it when it was cold

 

Rough idle on cold startup makes me also think of leaking injector (continues leaking fuel into combustion area whilst engine is switched off) and that needs to be 'cleared' first upon startup. This can give the rough idle that requires gentle throttle till the excess fuel has cleared and than the engine will pick up. Just one more of the possibilities.
O2 sensors is another one, but I reckon that one of those being faulty, it would give more continuous symptoms, also when warm/cruising.