hard starting jeep cherokee

[jaynes]

I have a question. Alot of Jeep Cherokee's I have seen have trouble starting. I just bought one, actually because it was a really good deal, a '99 infact that is in PERFECT condition. It starts fine, but it seems like they all crank really slow. Is this just a characteristic, or is something wrong? Why do all the 90's jeeps sound like they crank really slow?



jaynes

 

[Flexiheep]

Seems to be the way they are programed, the older ones were worse than the post 91s (changed from a Renix inj to a Chrysler). The most plausable explanation I have heard is that they want to build oil pressure, cylinder pressure, or something to that effect, who knows maybe it takes the computer that long to figure out what the position of the engine is. Just keep cranking and it will start.

To get it to turn over faster, a lot of people have upgraded battery cables (includeing from the alt) to single or double 0 (big diffrence, stock are pretty wimpy), and when I had my starter rebuilt after 180K it was much faster to turn over.

Of course we are spoiled with the CTD and VE pump when it comes to starting.

 

[jaynes]

no kidding

Yes with my truck it's like, OK LETS GO!! With the Jeep, it's like "Well... . ok, I guess I can wake up for ya!"



So better battery cables might help it turn over faster. It always starts without a problem, it's just like "uhh... uhhh... uhh VROOM". Hehe, I'm like, "Ok Mr. Jeep, GET YOUR A$$ MOVING" I'm just spoiled with my good ol' CTD.



Josh

 

[HoleshotHolset]

The fuel pumps in those vehicles are notoriously bad...



I swapped one out in my brother's old '97(?) Grand Cherokee... wasn't a bad job. Parts weren't cheap, though.



His old Wrangler before the Cherokee must have eaten 5 starters... .



Now he has a Rubicon.



Matt

 

[jaynes]

Hope that never happens to mine!

 

[Flexiheep]

If it starts consistantly, I wouldn't worry about it too much, the cable upgrade will increase cranking speed, but it will still take the same number of engine revolutions to start. It is nice though, you can always tell a 4. 0 jeep when it starts, nothing else quiet like them

Not quiet Cummins for reliability, but it is a 300k+ engine with basic common sense and oil changes so it is great for a gasser (my second favorite engine after the CTD). After what I did to mine repeatedly I can't believe it still runs like a top, but it does. I lost track of the times I shut it down at 300+ degrees, never a lick of trouble from the engine, just everything hooked to it.