1997 Jeep GC stalling upon start-up

A lot of you seem to have problems with stalling once the car is running and at stops, but my car stalls immediately after start-up but only after sitting for 5-10 minutes. If I leave it overnight or all day at work, it is fine upon startup. But if I run into a store or turn off the motor to get gas, the engine stalls twice EVERY time I turn it back on. I usually wait 30 seconds and try again, and it starts up fine on the third try. Then once its up and running, I have no problems at stop lights or on the highway. I replaced the fuel pump, fuel filter, had a tune-up, even took it to the dealership for a diagnosis and they couldnt find what was wrong. Any thoughts?!

I had the same problem, stalling when you tried to start it up. When you hit the key, it would fire and die, but if you gave it a little gas it would keep running. It ended up being the battery was weak. This sounds stupid, but it fixed it. Apparently the battery did not have the required 12 volts to operate the ignition system, but has enough juice to crank it just fine. So it would try to start, but would not stay running. I recommend taking it to a parts store and getting the battery tested.

Hope this helps...

sounds almost like vapor lock in fuel system. usually happens when hot fuel vaporizes causing a "pocket" which fuel cannot pass. when it cools down it liquifies. you should still check fuel pressure and volume to make sure working properly. just in case.

I had the same problem, stalling when you tried to start it up. When you hit the key, it would fire and die, but if you gave it a little gas it would keep running. It ended up being the battery was weak. This sounds stupid, but it fixed it. Apparently the battery did not have the required 12 volts to operate the ignition system, but has enough juice to crank it just fine. So it would try to start, but would not stay running. I recommend taking it to a parts store and getting the battery tested.

Hope this helps...

Helped my buddy with the same problem. We changed the battery wires, checked the starter, tryed the alternator, and finally the battery. It was the battery. It wasn't that it wasn't making 12 volts, it wasn't able to produce enough amps to get the car running. It would start, then die. Once we had to drive it home riding the brake and pushing on the gas to keep it from stalling.

Have the battery checked!

Thanks for all the battery tips. I will definitely have that checked out. I thought about vapor lock but I though that only happened on older fuel systems? Or is a '97 in the "old" category already? :frown:

Ditto the same thing happened to me. Not long after I purchased my 96 Jeep (used). The guy that had it before me had put a WalMart battery in it. It would crank fine but stall immediately. I took it to Walmart - they tested it and said there was nothing wrong with it. I knew better. I purchased a DieHard Gold and installed it and never had any more trouble.

Yet another vote for the battery as I replaced the original from my 97 about a month ago and it made all the difference.

for the 97 grand cherokee, how do I check the fuel pressure and volume?

Here's a link to fuel pump diagnosis: http://home.sc.rr.com/janet/TSB/14-06-97.htm