Hi, my 96 cherokee will start up then stall out after 5 or ten seconds. when i go to start it back up sometimes it starts but always stalls out right away. other times the fuel pump wont even turn on. what could this be?

 

How have you verified that the fuel pump isn't energizing?

If it truly isn't, the first thing to try is to swap the fuel pump relay with another non-critical relay. These relays are located in the Power Distribution Center, the black box under the hood.

The relays are all the same part number, so swapping them is not a problem.

 

Does your 96 have a factory alarm system?

 

I can hear when the fuel pump turns on. Sometimes it turns on and the jeep will start then stall out after about ten seconds. Other times the fuel pump doesnt even turn on and the jeep will not even start. There is no factory alarm system but there appears to be an aftermarket alarm system that no longer works but has wiring remnants still there.

 

the other night it took forever to start. The fuel pump wasnt working. After switching some relays around it did kick on. then i went and got some gas and left it running because i was afraid it wouldnt start again if i shut it off. Well, when the girl started pumping gas into my jeep it stalled out and then it kept stalling out and playing games for about a half hour or so. eventually it stopped playing games and i was able to go about my business with no problems for the rest of the nite. the next day it started right up and i thought it was going to be a good day. i made it maybe 3 miles down the road and it stalled out at a red light. fortunately it started back up and i was able to get it into a parking lot. i swapped relays around and added gas to it and eventually it started and i didnt have any problemes for the rest of the day or night and i drove quite a bit. is there anybody who know's what this could be? im honestly quite stumped.

Thanks, Jack

 

Try this:

Rap the bottom of the tank with a 2 by 4 next time it happens.

 

I had problems with the connector in the wiring harness to the fuel pump ( above the rear axle). Might want to check and clean those connections.

 

Yep. Good idea.