90' slow start, any advise would be great

[thebigbr]

my 1990 cherokee seems to take a long time to start, most vehicles take only a second mine is taking like 3 or four, and if its been sitting for bit it takes even longer, its getting worse now sometimes even taking like 5 seconds to start. it turns over and it seems like the starter it turning it over fine its just not catching very quickley. i have replaced my starter in the last year, the distributor cap,battery, plugs and cables,o2 sensor, and tps sensor, im guessing its the distributor, it does move a bit when its starting (doesnt seem like its secured very well, or just worn out) . not sure what to do if anyone knows what might be wrong let me know before i go and spend mony on a new distributor or blow another starter.any advise would be helpful
thanx

[Cam7]

When you go to start turn the key to the on position and turn off and wait about 20 seconds and turn the key on and try to start. If that helps you might have a fuel pump going bad or a bad filter or both. As far as the Dis. it shouldnt be loose try to tighten the lock down bolt.

[MN12racer]

Does the Jeep start and stay running after it starts during the first start up, and also does it idle ok?

[Ironic]

If the distributor moves at all- so does your timing. Set the timing then tighten the distributor at the base of the distributor. Might be a good time to get a ignition wires also.

[thebigbr]

it does stay running but sometimes it idles irraducally, it goes up and down , rarley stays at exactly 9000rpm

[1more88XJ]

thebigbir, take the vaccume off the m.a.p sensor and see if you rpms drop. Go to autozone.com put your jeep info in and go to "Technical Service Bulletin Titles" and you will see that the reason for a percentage of hardstarts will be due to the "Crankshaft Position Sensor".

[89ltd]

I agree with crank shaft sensor, my 89 cherokee ltd does the same thing, cranks for to long before starting, I haven't replaced mine yet but put a spark test between coil wire and ground while my wife turned the engine over, there is hesitation in the spark. Read about this problem at another site , forget wich one, they explained that the crank shaft sensor becomes weak, it fails to detect the slots in the flex plate as they get older, as if the sensor is to far away from the flywheel. I will let you know what happens to mine when i fix it, to many other problems to fix first.