[mjahrens]

97 Cherokee Sport 4.0. I try to crank my Jeep and it just cranks and won't start until half a minute. At anytime I stop cranking, return key to off, then crank it starts immediately and runs fine. It does not matter how long I crank it. It won't start on the first key turn. Crank for 5 seconds, key off, crank and starts immediately. Crank for 10 seconds, key off, crank and it starts. So now my normal procedure is to insert key, crank for 2 seconds, key off, crank and it fires immediately. After it has been running for any length of time, on the next start it cranks immediately but at some point after sitting off, maybe about 2 hours, a guess, it does the long crank problem. What is going on? Thanks. Joe

[Sierra Drifter]

Originally Posted by mjahrens

97 Cherokee Sport 4.0. I try to crank my Jeep and it just cranks and won't start until half a minute. At anytime I stop cranking, return key to off, then crank it starts immediately and runs fine. It does not matter how long I crank it. It won't start on the first key turn. Crank for 5 seconds, key off, crank and starts immediately. Crank for 10 seconds, key off, crank and it starts. So now my normal procedure is to insert key, crank for 2 seconds, key off, crank and it fires immediately. After it has been running for any length of time, on the next start it cranks immediately but at some point after sitting off, maybe about 2 hours, a guess, it does the long crank problem. What is going on? Thanks. Joe

I don't know why, but judging from previous posts on slow starting, its seems common. Except cranking for 30 seconds without starting is unusual.

But try this for the hell of it. Turn key till ignition is on, wait for the beeps to stop, (about 5 sec) and the turn the key the rest of the way and see if it starts. I have a theory that on many injected XJ's the fuel system has to build up pressure.

[JeepNFla]

My '97 has always started great - just look at the key and it fired up- until a week ago. Took my rig on a 1400 mile trip, pulling a small trailer (about 1500 pounds). Ran fine the whole trip but ever since I got back, I need to crank it anywhere from 5 to 10 seconds before it starts. Quite frankly, I'm worried about the wear and tear on the starter,

Any ideas/suggestions?

[NightWolf0829]

Correct me if im wrong, but it seems as though the XJ's have a problem with "quick" starting. Even though it may not matter, mine takes about 5-10 each time i crank it.. Even when its been running for a while. I think it's just a flawl in the fuel system. But Half a min is way too long to be starting the truck. Did you try the Fuel Pump? That seems to be a big flawl in starting. Other things are plugs/Dizzy/Wires and Injectors.. The pump has to build pressure so the sys will work, thats why if you turn to ACC, before starting and wait a few sec., it helps sometimes. Try a few of those and let us know!

Cheers, :J

[artboy]

Nightwolf is right... try turning the key to acc...wait til you hear the fuel pump cycle and shut off. This builds pressure in the system... then crank it... saves the life of your starter and the fuel pump. But 30 seconds sounds like another issue like plugged fuel filter, bad wires/plugs, coil, or compression problem.

[KariGrrrl]

ive been dealing with similar issues for months now. the starting system was designed by a retard I think (no offense to the mentally handicapped).

if you turn the ignition key ON right away, the fuel pressure dumps back into the tank through the return line. thats why theres a long cranking because theres not enough pressure building up. it eventually builds up though and the truck will start

do what was posted above. ignition to accessory then wait then start.

i have a brand new pump putting out 125psi. i wait for it to cycle off and then start and it goes easily. if I just jump into start then it takes many seconds to start.

also, listen for the fuel pump noise when you first turn the key. 2 out of 5 times the pump wont cycle on at all. i dont know if its a computer program doing that or what but I know for a fact that the pump doesnt cycle on for every key turn. so if you dont hear the pump, turn off and try again.

i got annoyed with the whole fuel starting system and installed a switch that just puts 12v to the fuel pump on startup. i turn it on, start the truck, then turn it off real fast and let the regular truck controls take over. Never fails.

[JeepNFla]

Correct me if im wrong, but it seems as though the XJ's have a problem with "quick" starting

Well, I think (and hope) your wrong. I bought my rig new and it has always started like a dream. Turn it on and listen to it rumble to life. My problem just started after this trip.

Last night I changed plugs, wires, cap and rotor. The plugs that came out looked fine but the wires were original and the rotor and cap had normal wear/pitting. I'm at 120,000 mi. so new wires were in order. It started a little easier this morning, but I'll need to give it a few days top see if its back to normal.

[airtech2309]

Get ready to change the pump. It happen to my 98, long cranks second attempt quick start up. Did a little research and found there's a check valve thats not holding pressure in the line. so when you try and start your jeep nothings pushing the fuel until you've built up enough psi in you line. What sucks is everything is in the tank the regulator, filter, and of course the pump. I brought the hole assy. just to be sure and it starts like a champ now. Good luck

[KariGrrrl]

Originally Posted by airtech2309

Get ready to change the pump. It happen to my 98, long cranks second attempt quick start up. Did a little research and found there's a check valve thats not holding pressure in the line. so when you try and start your jeep nothings pushing the fuel until you've built up enough psi in you line. What sucks is everything is in the tank the regulator, filter, and of course the pump. I brought the hole assy. just to be sure and it starts like a champ now. Good luck

true.

the way you can check is when you hear the pump prime itself (dont start it) you then pop the hood and check for pressure.

[mjahrens]

It looks like it will be the fuel pump. Thanks everyone. I had a suspicion it would be the pump. Fortunately I know the tank is easy to drop (from experience).

[H8CMENT]

If it was the pump I would think it wouldn't run very well at all when it did start. If it's starving for fuel during start up then wouldn't the same hold true while running?

Did you try the CPS? Mine is bad (I assume) because it takes like 5-10 seconds to start. But when it runs it runs perfect.

Just a thought.

[SuperStreetJeep]

Originally Posted by airtech2309

Get ready to change the pump. It happen to my 98, long cranks second attempt quick start up. Did a little research and found there's a check valve thats not holding pressure in the line. so when you try and start your jeep nothings pushing the fuel until you've built up enough psi in you line. What sucks is everything is in the tank the regulator, filter, and of course the pump. I brought the hole assy. just to be sure and it starts like a champ now. Good luck

the filter ( fuel filter) isnt in the tank its on the driver side in the rear.. maybe you have a clog?

[Jeepin Cam]

I have that probelm with my 92 it takes a while crank i changed the plugs, wire, cap, rotor, I thought it woud fix it cause the plugs were horrible one had build up that covered the gap. but it still cranks slow I am going to try the fuel filter next and maybe so fuel injector cleaner. when you get in your jeep just turn teh key to the on postion and wait if you listen closely you might be able to hear the fuel pump kick on and about 3 secs later it will cut off once the line pressure is built up then try and crank it.

[KariGrrrl]

before you go crazy with the pump did you at least check for fuel pressure at the injector rail thing? turn the key to accessory but dont start. the pump should run for 1 second. check under the hood for pressure. if the pump check valve is shot you wont have any pressure on the rail. if you have pressure then the pump might not be the problem.

[firefighter1c57]

Originally Posted by SuperStreetJeep

the filter ( fuel filter) isnt in the tank its on the driver side in the rear.. maybe you have a clog?

Um, his Jeep is a 97, and like he said, his regulator, filter, and the check valve are all in the tank. Seems to me it is probably the check valve. I would say after it's set overnight, check the fuel pressure on the fuel at the schroder(sp?) valve.