gotmud187

I have a 1994 grand Cherokee with 4.0. We were driving down the highway and everything was fine, and it suddenly died without warning. Pulled over and let it sit for a few minutes then it started, ran for about 10 seconds until it sputtered and died like it wasn't getting fuel.
Couldn't find anything obvious wrong under the hood, so had it towed home. It was really low on oil, and I have heard of this type of thing happening due to really low on oil so did an oil change just in case, nothing changed.
Now I can get it to start and it will run fine for about 30 seconds and die. Once it dies, it needs to sit for a few minutes before it will start again. I didn't check what the fuel pressure is, but it seems to have plenty of fuel pressure at the fuel rail when you turn the key on so I don't think it is the fuel filter or pump.
Not sure where to go from here, and can't afford to just start swapping parts....any ideas?

freegdr

Start here even if lights not on right down codes .Remove neg battery cable for at least 15 minutes to clear codes. Reatach cable start againg then recheck codes . Disregard 12,55 there of no concearn. Report back your findings.

jeepheep1

Try the reset.
Just because you're getting fuel pressure doesn't mean you're getting enough. Check the filter to see if it's clogged up, and report back with details.
Goodluck

gotmud187

Did the reset and only got codes 12 and 55. Pulled the fuel filter and was able to blow through it fairy easily but the gas looked pretty dirty.
Started it again and this time it ran fine for about a minute but instead of dying the rpms dropped to about 300, it sputtered for 10 seconds or so dropped to almost 100 rpm and sputtered and shook till it died. Seemed like it wanted to run but just wasn't getting fuel or air or something. If i feather the gas i can get it to stay running but really rough.

jeepheep1

Well it sounds like a fuel issue.
Could be the pump or filter. Check your spark plugs and wires and see what kind of shape they are in. Check the air filter to see it's clean.
Fuel, air, spark.

gotmud187

Went ahead and changed the fuel filter just because it was so dirty and looked old. Started it up and it ran fine for about 5 minutes before it died. Started it back up and it ran really rough and the RPMs dropped and it stalled when i tried giving it gas. The air filter was a bit dirty but not terrible, pulled the distributor cap and the points had some black build up so i cleaned them off. No change

kjc

Just posted to watch this thread.. similar problem on my '93 GC Laredo 4.0. I think I've narrowed it down to the fuel pump. Hope we find the solution!

jeepheep1

How long have you had those wires, pull the plugs to see how they look.
I'm thinking since it starts, runs, then dies and from what you've said it's a fuel issue. Check the spark plugs to be sure, and how old are those wires?
But, you may want to pull the injectors and either have them tested or you can clean them yourself which may help.

gotmud187

The plugs were on the Jeep when my gf bought it about 5 months ago. It seems like its been pretty well maintained and the wires don't look to bad. I will check the plugs tomorrow. How would i go about cleaning/checking the injectors?

dave1123

I'm thinking you've got contaminated fuel in the tank. In extreme cases, the pump intake filter will get clogged and cut off fuel flow. After sitting a while, the stuff will resettle and the pump will function until it gets clogged again. Pull your new filter and see if it's dirty again. If so, you'll have to drop the tank and clean it out.

jeepheep1

Pull the injectors and soak them in seafoam.

gotmud187

Gas from the filter was clean. Went to start it today to listen to the injectors and see if they were all working right but now when i start it, it dies almost as soon as it turns over...can't get it to idle at all now

Bustedback

You have to verify that the battery is good. A battery that is low on charge may be able to start the engine but will discharge low enough that the ECM goes nuts.

jeepheep1

I'm not sure how true that is.
But it's worth a shot at this point until you get those injectors out.

gotmud187

Battery gauge reads about 12 key on, 14 running. I don't have a multi meter to confirm though.
I've heard soaking injectors in cleaner isn't good for them