Posted: 8/25/2006 10:48:53 AM EDT
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This is not the same issue as the OTHER jeep starting thread from last week. It has nothing to do with the starter/ battery (as far as I can tell). I have a 1999 Jeep Cherokee 4WD with the I6 4.0 L engine. When I go to start my jeep it will crank and then start, but will immediatly stall/die. If I try to start again it will crank indefinatly unless I give it gas. If I give it gas, I have to keep my foot on the gas keeping it at "idle" or it will stall. Thus if I want to drive somewhere (like home after class yesterday) I have to use both feet. Eventually after some normal driving it will begin to idle on it's own. I talked to a mechanic internet friend, and he suggested I clean out the throttle body with Carb Cleaner, I did this just now. It still wont start unless I give it gas, but it will idle by itself now, after I start it. What the heck is wrong with it and what can I do to fix it? I can still drive it so it's not an emergency, but I would like to get it fixed. |
Crank sensor. |
I was hoping it wouldn't be that. Looks like it will be expensive... Also means I may lose all functionality of my vehicale if it fails compeltely from what I've read... |
The crank sensor is not expensive, perhaps $35.00. It is located at the top of the bell housing (drivers side). As I recall, it has a two wire lead, which you should be able to see at the back of the valve cover. Check to see the wires are not burnt or broken. ETA: I had a fleet of XJ's a few years ago, the crank sensors 'can' go intermittently, or they just crap out all at once. When it is intermittently, they cause the symptoms you described. |
On the drivers side of the engine compartment, on the fender, there is a ceramic fuse thingy. It's white colored. There is a plug going to it. Unplug it and jumper the plug with a piece of wire. see if that fixes your problem. The fuse thingy is for the electric fuel pump. I had the same symptoms you are describing and that's what fixed mine. There is a good jeep cherokee website where you can ask questions @: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/index.php Hope this helps. ETA: This is a better forum: http://www.naxja.org/ |
| The prices I found on Autozone & Checkers websites were more than $90 for the sensor... I'll go check the wires to see, but it'll probably need a whole new sensor Im guessing... Do these current symptoms hint at impending death? IE Should I stop driving it until I get the part replaced? |
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I would check with a Jeep dealership directly. There are times when OEM is cheaper (stranger things have happened!) than a jobber. I have seen them crap out immediately, along with some of the service guys complain about them, but do nothing for a month or three until it died. Remember, it's a crap shoot, YOU are throwing the dice! |
Im about to go look now, had to lookup which relay was correct, also the wires to and from the CPS appear intact. I need to dig out an ohm meter to test my relay too... |
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Low Battery? Seriously... When my cherokees have had just slightly low batteries the electronic ignition won't function right. It acts exactly as you describe. The battery still gives it enough juice to crank, but the engine just cranks and cranks until it finally either turns over or the battery gives. The vehicle basically acts like it's out of gas. The first time I was told this, I thought "Oh B.S.", cuz the engine seems to be cranking over pretty good. But sure as shit, when I replaced the battery, all was well. It is for this reason that I'm constantly popping the hood on my cherokee when I get home. I'm sick of that HOT ASS running enging baking batteries. |
| oh jeez, the things to test keep piling up... I suppose it could be the battery, however, I dont know if its original or not, or when it was replaced, but I've had it since I bought it 3 (almost 4) years ago. Ive called a mechanically inclined buddy over to help out, and to drive me to the auto part store should I need to. |
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If it is the battery, splurge the ~$150 and go for an Optima. They are the best against vibration and heat. Did I mention how much juice you can squeeze from an Optima? They are the shit! Also listen closely around the throttle body/intake manifold for the hissing sound of a vacuum leak. HS1 |
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If you listen to these guys your going to spend ALOT of money shotgunning the fix. I have my own suspision that it's the Idle air control valve. BUT you need to test things before throwing expensive parts at it. Do you have a check engine light on? If not it's not the sensors they keep throwing out at you. A dirty Idle air valve won't throw a code btw. That you have to give it "gas" means that it's not getting enough air into the engine to sustain idle. your "gas" pedal only controls the flow of air in a fuel injected engine. Nothing else. Guys just like people want you to think before giving gun advice please don't thorw out ideas that are going to cost this guy alot of money on his vehicle. If you like man I can give you the test sheets to test the IAC or other sensors. I suggest having the codes pulled before spending alot of money. |
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ok NO check engine light, also I popped the covers on the battery but I have no idea to tell if the fluid is low. ETA: tried the Electric Fuel relay thing, didnt help at all. ETA2: When I cleaned out the throttle body, I gavce a good shot of carb cleaner into the Idle Air control passage inlet. |
My suggestion doesn't cost anything. I agree with you that he needs to diagnose the problem correctly before spending anything. Incidently, there is a code system on the cherokee that has to do with turning the key on and off several times in rapid succession....then you count the blinks on one of the dash lights. I can't recall the specifics, but it is there. I strongly urge you to take a look at NAXJA's website for help with this. |
| oh and interesting someone should mention a vacuum leak... As my vacuum system has been odd since I got it, IE when accelerating up hill with the AC on all the vents seem to stop working excpet the ones up by the windshield... I will take a look at the jeep forums before I spend any money. |
OK OK! I added water to the battery, and then started it and let it run for a few minutes. Turned it off and it started up ok. So Im going to get it to an auto parts store and test it. It probably needs replacing. |
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UPDATE Ok The Final Outcome/ Solution was a new battery. It tested bad so I got a new one at the store and it started up ok, so I drove home, loaded up with guns and ammo, and it started great, better than It had been before my starting issues arose. Thanks everyone for all your input. And in case anyone was wondering the old battery was a Duralast Gold, and thats what I replaced it with. |
