'96 GCL won't start

[Skavball24]

I tried jumping it to no avail. The battery is only like 3 years old though too.
If I try to start in it's own, it barely gives me a growl. When I tried to jump, it would sound normal at first, and then with a little pedal give me little more....but no dice.

I know nothing about vehicles. Is it possible that the battery could be dead after like 3 years?

I was thinking maybe the starter? For no other reason besides the sounds I was hearing, as even when trying to jump, it would get growling, but you could tell it just wouldn't "ignite".

However, based on the difference in trying to start cold and start with jump, it seems like the battery would ultimately have something to do with it.

Any help would be amazing. Thank you. I will give any other input you may need for a diagnosis.

[hardisk_c]

Are you getting a check engine light coming on and can you hear the fuel pump whirring when you first turn the key to 'RUN?' Any unusual-sounding starts prior to this? Do you hear any of the cylinders firing when you try to start it or just the sound of the starter?
What's your gas level and did this crop up after a recent fill-up?
Might try throwing a couple bottles of gas-line antifreeze (ISO-HEET being my fave) in the tank and letting the jeep sit a while.

Does your jeep have the factory security system?
On my '94, the factory system engages if the electrical power has been interrupted, say by a battery that's been drained and then jumped, and must be disabled. (can be done by putting the key in the driver's door and doing an unlock twist). Quickest way to tell if this is hampering your restarting efforts is if the jeep's headlights are flashing when you turn the key to RUN.

Sorry if this sounds like the 3rd degree, hope it helps. . .

[JeepForever]

What does it sound like when you turn the key and start cranking? If it cranks normally but doesn't start, it could be a variety of fuel or engine problems. If the battery is good but it doesn't crank, it could be the starter. I had a similar problem in my '94 JGC where it had symptoms of a dead battery. The battery was only about 2 or 3 years old and it tested fine at an auto parts store. The starter cranked really slowly (as it would with a dead battery).
Ultimately I replaced the starter and that proved to be the problem. Although the starter cranked, it lacked the power that it did when it was new, and just couldn't turn over the engine.
I recommend having the battery and alternater tested (an auto parts store like AutoZone or Advance Auto can do this for free). If the electrical system is OK and it just cranks slowly, it could be a worn out starter.

Please provide more info about how it sounds when it cranks, and we'll help diagnose the problem.