Slow To Start

hey guys,
my 94 jeep cherokee....it starts, but it sounds like it is struggling....it takes a time and then finally turns over. this has just started happening in the past 2 weeks. could it be the starter? you can hear it trying to crank and after about 5-10 seconds it finally does...any help would be great

Is it cold where you are ? Your battery or/and starter may both be bad. The cold will bring out a bad battery in a heartbeat. A bad starter will try to keep pulling amps from the the bat til it gets enough to turn. How old are these things ? Bad , loose. or corroded wires will keep otherwise good flow from coming and going. I raed in consumer reports that Pep-Boys Weather something that costs around $65 was rated a #2 battery. If I had to get 1 that would be my next choice over the sears 1s I've been using. U have some checking out to do. If you use say a jump pack to your battery now will the starter engage right away and since you say its been happening on a slowly but surely basis . I'd put my $1 on the starter if you can't remember the last time its been replaced--battery over 5 years old ?--New One----Chris

As Crys36 suggest, check out your battery.

Then check your fuel system pressure at the fuel rail.

Anything "unusual" happen in the last 2 weeks?

Hey all! I have a 2000 XJ Sport that is having similar problems. It started having problems a few months ago, and is getting progressively worse. I had the same problem in a Saturn that I used to own, and the fuel pump was the culprit - replaced it and never had any more problems. However, not so with the jeep, I replaced the fuel pump and it didn't fix it. If I turn the Ignition on and off a few times (letting the pump prime a few times) before cranking it over, it will start just fine. I checked the parts store for a regulator, but they couldn't find any listing for one. Any ideas?

Hey all! I have a 2000 XJ Sport that is having similar problems. It started having problems a few months ago, and is getting progressively worse. I had the same problem in a Saturn that I used to own, and the fuel pump was the culprit - replaced it and never had any more problems. However, not so with the jeep, I replaced the fuel pump and it didn't fix it. If I turn the Ignition on and off a few times (letting the pump prime a few times) before cranking it over, it will start just fine. I checked the parts store for a regulator, but they couldn't find any listing for one. Any ideas?

When you say you replaced the pump did you replace the full sending unit or just the pump within the sending unit? The fuel pressure regulator sits on top of the sending unit, and as far as I could tell is only available with a complete sending unit/pump assembly. Or at least that is what I found when replacing the unit on a '98 Cherokee. I had the same problem where I had to turn the key from off to run a few times before cranking to allow fuel pressure to build up. Replaced the whole unit and it starts and rung great now.

Thanks! As soon as the weather permits I'll drop the tank again and look at the assembly. The pump assembly was only a metal cylinder with the pump in it and filter at bottom, best I can remember anyways... It was September when I changed it. Thanks for the input! -Dave

When you say you replaced the pump did you replace the full sending unit or just the pump within the sending unit? The fuel pressure regulator sits on top of the sending unit, and as far as I could tell is only available with a complete sending unit/pump assembly. Or at least that is what I found when replacing the unit on a '98 Cherokee. I had the same problem where I had to turn the key from off to run a few times before cranking to allow fuel pressure to build up. Replaced the whole unit and it starts and rung great now.
Hey,Hey, isn't the fuel pressure regulator mounted on the fuel rail??

Hey,Hey, isn't the fuel pressure regulator mounted on the fuel rail??

No, according to the FSM for a 2000 Cherokee, and I believe all late models Cherokees, "The combination fuel filter and fuel pressure regulator is located on the top of fuel pump module". It is the deal that sticks out of the tank where the fuel line connects to.

In the link below of the fuel pump module, the regulator is the top piece that is held in place with a spring clamp.

http://www.airtexproducts.com/cgi-bin/AirtexImages/AIRTEXEFP/E7121M.JPG

Replaced the whole fuel pump module on mine and it fixed the problem. I couldn't find anywhere that sold just the regulator.

It's a bit difficult to decipher my 94-96 parts manual, but it appears that the integrated pump/sending unit/regulator starts in '96. If so, then Bubbyjeep's is on his rail, the other's (as we already know) are part of the pump.

S - ('88 XJ, reg on the rail) ;)

It's a bit difficult to decipher my 94-96 parts manual, but it appears that the integrated pump/sending unit/regulator starts in '96. If so, then Bubbyjeep's is on his rail, the other's (as we already know) are part of the pump.

S - ('88 XJ, reg on the rail) ;)

Yea, this thread has been somewhat hijacked. My response to the integrated module was in direct response to mavman70 who stated his problems were on a 2000 Cherokee. Sorry for any confusion with those with older model cherokees.

Yea, this thread has been somewhat hijacked. My response to the integrated module was in direct response to mavman70 who stated his problems were on a 2000 Cherokee. Sorry for any confusion with those with older model cherokees.

No problem for me. You're correct on the later models. I was just trying to figure out how "late" they are.

Maybe Bubby will return and get this back "on track". ;)

Sorry!!! I didn't mean to cause confusion...but thanks for all of the help and information anyways! -Dave