No can idle cold

[brokenjeep]

My Cherokee is having issues. When first I start it in the AM, I have to hold the accelerator down for it to run or else it fires up and dies right away. After a few minutes of driving or even sitting in the drivway warming up with my foot on the gas, it idles just fine and works until I let it sit all day at work, then same problem. So basically it won't idle when the engine is cold. Help?

[shoveit1012]

I had the same problem when I accidentally left the headlights on one night. The next morning, I jumped it off and I had to hold the accelerator down so the RPM's wouldnt drop off and the engine die. It took a couple of minutes to get it to idle right. Eventually, I found out it was the battery.
This is just a guess, but your battery could be strained because of the cold. Your battery may have enough juice to start, cannot keep the car running until the alternator gets going enough to keep your battery "alive". It will lose juice throught the day while you are at work.

Like I said, this is just a guess based off of a similar experience. It could be other things. Have them test your battery at a local parts store. Then go from there.
Goodluck.

[brokenjeep]

Thanks,

I hope that is the problem, I'll check that out and post again with the results!

Thanks again,

Broken