I have a 99 cherokee sport and I've been having some start up problems. A few times over the past month, my jeep wont start with I turn the ignition. unless i give it gas. then it dies if i don't keep giving it gas. When I start it again, it usually runs fine. It has happened 4 times. The first was after I left a light on and the battery died.

Any Thoughts?

-Thanks

 

Always check the wires off the battery. The battery may be good but if them wires are all corroded your components may not be getting the power needed to complete the startup. However the fuel system may have issues too, but it always helps to eliminate things

 

Could it be the battery? It is okay to dive? i was planning taking a road trip across the state. Usually it doesn't do it, and it seems to run fine once running.

 

Yes, it could be the battery. And likely is.

Stalling at idle is a very common symptom of a marginal battery. Fully charge the battery, then have it "load tested" at a parts store.....it's free and that will tell the story.

It may be that you have a marginal battery but once it is running a bit, the alternator keeps the battery charged at a point where you don't experience stalling any longer.

Draining that battery with the light left on may have been the death knell for the battery. How old is your battery?

 

If you have a volt meter you could always check the output of the battery. See if it has the 12 volts. Then you need to check amps. Amps start the car. If shes low there ya need a new battery. If this IS the case then the reason your vehicle will keep running is due to the ok volts. If both volts and amps are low then the alternator will keep your car running during normal operation. The problem with that is youll eventually burn out your alternator (it charges the battery when the engine is on) and the engine will die while driving. Not dangerous but it can leave you stranded.

Another thing you should check would be your starter. Bleepinjeep on youtube did a whole video on how to check that.

Other than that the next thing to check would be the fuel system which I know nothing about.

 

Like gunmetal said check the voltage on the battery. It should actually be closer to 13 volts on a FULL charge. About 12.5 is still good too. Most places will test your battery for free and they can check the cranking amps as well. Older battery's wear out and don't charge as well, thus losing the full amount of current. (Cranking amps)

 

I believe it's the same battery when I bought the jeep used, in 2009 (40,000 miles ago)

I'll go have it tested.

-Thanks everybody

 

Similar issue. I checked voltage and amperage off the new battery. Volts look good at 12.5, but cranking amps seem very low. And that was off a new battery, guess it was doa.

 

FYI, you responded to an 8.5 year old thread. The post dates are right above the user's name.