Hi everyone this is my first post on these forums, and this is possible because I bought a decent 1996 Cherokee SE 4.0 Automatic. 2 days ago for pretty cheap.

Ok now onto my questions.

When I bought the Cherokee on my way home it died out on me. I used starting fluid and it eventually ran well enough to get me home.

Today I replaced the 6 plugs and the wires, the cap and rotor button, fuel filter.
Sometimes when I crank the truck up it wont start, sometimes starter fluid helps. This motor should be a strong motor but when I press on the accelerator it ramps up to speed slowly, not sure if its connected to my starting issue. I tested the resistance across the injectors all at 13ohms. When I turn the truck to on position the fuel pump kicks on, not sure if it stays running.

When I replaced the EDIT: (Fuel filter)fuel pump it seemed that their was plenty of pressure to the rail, and also at the rail there seems plenty of pressure although I don't have a tester.

I'm getting spark at the plugs.

I searched this forum and read about CPS(Crank Position Sensor) but it seems that the fuel pump would not kick on if that was bad, I am going to put the multimeter to it tomorrow morning. Maybe my Jeep has that relay that shuts the pump down to stop it from frying if CPS is bad.
I also read that there is some sensor that sits under the cap and rotor button that I maybe need to replace.

When trying to start it up earlier this after noon and it failed, I removed one of the spark plugs to check for fuel, and I was dry. Put plug and wire back in and it magically started. Let it sit for a bit while running my AMP install kit, and tried to start, and it just turned over.

I'm not good and posting things in forums, but you guys seem a great resource and knowledgeable, so please if you need more info let me know, any thoughts suggestions or advice I'm willing to take. Thank in advance.

 

I would like to see what kind of answers you get

 

Tough to diagnose multiple intermittant problems. Sounds like a fuel issue (air+fuel+spark=go). Have you checked for spark when it wont start or when you've had it running? Also check compression on each cylinder, and when you get it running check each injector for operation ( should each be clicking rythmicaly). Also check all the engine harness connectors and grounds. Sorry i can't be more help, please share any other info you have.

 

Zee fuel pump, eet is bad. Eet like to run a leetle bit, zen no. Eet pump some leetle bit, yes? Zen get weak. Zee leetle diaphram inside pump, she is bad. She work sometime, yes, but not all zee time. Kind of like my employees...

Buuuut, CPS, she is cheap and eezy to replace...like zee new girlfriend, no? But zee fuel pump, she is...how you say...gnarly old woman...not so ezee to get rid of, yes? Pretty cranky, yes? Maybe best to do CPS first....cranky old woman later, no?

 

OK update: I replaced the fuel pump and strainer and truck starts great, now I need to tackle transmission problems, it's shifting into next gear really hard.

 

Shifting hard is good. Squishy shifting is for passenger cars. A good auto trans should have a bit of snap from gear to gear. A truck trans should almost jolt.

Wasn't that fuel pump a hoot to change?

 

OK update 2: and reply to last poster.
I found out that the shifting is perfect for that Cherokee, I'm used to driving a 5 speed 240sx with racing clutch hehe.

The fuel pump took me 20 min start to finish, once I realized I was trying to turn the ring the wrong way, silly me. I didn't drop the tank, and it was simple as this Jeep isn't rusted and a grandpa drove it.

So I was having some minor stalling / stuttering / Hesitation. I wasn't sure if it was CPS, TPS, or ASD relay. So I did some swapping of relays and that didn't fix a thing. I didn't want to swap a CPS and be on my back without a jack or ramps or anything so I ran the Jeep until the stuttering problem occured left it in drive, pulled the brake and set blocks. I pulled the TPS snap connector off the TPS, and the stuttering stopped right away. I played with this for a few minutes and was convinced that was the issue.

I went to Advanced auto parts and got a TPS for $39 and swapped it in 5 min after burning myself on the exhaust manifold, I'm 3 for 3 now.
Anyway I left the parking lot, stomped the pedal to the floor and whoah did she take off some rubber. I have increased power, no stuttering / stalling. I wonder If my fuel mileage will increase or decrease.

Anyway now I'm thinking about getting the ford multiport injectors and swapping them in. Other than that a valve gasket kit should fix my very minor oil issues.

Thanks to everyone on these forums and your wonderful insights.

P.S. I wasn't sure if this cherokee had the same design flaw as the ones that PCM shorts on them, so I backed the screws out half way and locked them in just in case.