Originally Posted by 95Cherokee

Mine has done this the entire time I've owned it, just crank the key to the last position before the starter kicks in, hold it for about 3 seconds then it starts immediately, at least mine does.

Originally Posted by giwill

not on a carb engine and does it have coils or wires

Originally Posted by flyer182

Hi all, I can't really fined anyone thats had quite the same problem as me so I thought I would ask you guys. I have a 2000 XJ with 130,000 on it, I bought it about 3 weeks ago and ever since I bought it its been hard to start. It takes about 6 seconds of cranking to get it to start and then it runs and drives fine. After i start it once it strats right up, then after about 20min or more of sitting I have to crank it for another 6 seconds or so to get it started again. I dont think its the battery because the starter turns good through the 6 seconds of cranking everytime. Also pushing the gas pedal down has no effect on starting it and turning the key on and off a few times doen't work either.

Here's what ive done so for to try and fix it:
Replaced fuel pump and check valve (has good presure)
Replaced spark plugs
Replaced Coolant temp sensor
Had CPS checked and is fine.
There aren't any error codes either.

I think its a ignition problem because it has good fuel presure. I srayed some starter fluid in the carb to see if it would sart faster and it didnt so i'm guessing there's no spark for the first few seconds of cranking.

If you guys could help me I would be really greatfull, thanks in advance!

Originally Posted by xj20004x4

seems like almost every jeep is like this. i have a 2000 xj i simply turn the key wait a second let the fuel pump kick on a run a second then start, if it still gives me trouble i give the gas one pump, never struggles on the second time. i just figured it was a 4.0 jeep thing

Originally Posted by 5-90

In addition to the fuel issue cited, check your grounds. Long crank times are often caused by shonky grounds (particulary if you note that the cranking speed increases over the first couple of seconds.)

Contaminated/failed/failing/otherwise fouled grounds interfere with engine management sensor signals, which screws with everything. Also, the OEM grounds are done "through paint," which is silly. Remove the lugs and screw; clean down to bare metal (about the size of a postage stamp apply a proper corrosion inhibitor (like Ox-Gard - check the electrical section of your local hardware/DIY store. DO NOT USE WD-40!!!) replace the screw if necessary, and clean the lugs. Reassemble.

Originally Posted by spittinimage

I tried to chase mine down and dumped a bunch of money into it and never figured it out. Think it one of those ghosts in the machine man i just do like everyone else and wait in the on position for a couple seconds. always starts so i dont worry about it.

Originally Posted by flyer182

I replaced the fuel pump, filter, check valve, and checked for leaks throughout the fuel system so i dont think its a fuel problem. If it was a fuel problem when I put the starter fluid in the carb it should of started right up but it didn't. It cranked for about 5 seconds then fired up. This tells me that there wasn't a spark in the engine for the first five seconds of cranking. So i'm pritty sure its an ignition problem, I'm just not sure what part of the ignition system is faulty. Please correct me if I am wrong with this diagnosis.

Originally Posted by xj_maniac_newb

whatever you do, dont touch the spark plug covers when the engine is running if you decide to check them. had a very bad experience with that when i was young