cherokee help

spork40

spork40

Registered User
i have a 2000 jeep cherokee and it has sat with a basically empty fuel tank for like six months. i added some gas today to start it up and start using it again. it ran for a few minutes and then started hesitating and idling rough then died. when i tried to start it again it barely ides and acts like it is starving for gas. what do i do? is it from sitting too long or is it because it was out of gas? since it is fuel injected what do you do if it runs out of gas and you add more?
 
How much gas did you add? It could be the gas that was in it was bad, from sitting. Fill it up and see if that helps. You say it idles rough, but what about if you give it gas? Does it run smoothly at higher rpms? If so, you could have a bad idle air controller.
 
i only added two or three gallons, enough to get the low fuel light to shut off. i wondered if i did not put enough in it. when i push on the gas it stalls and dies or it will go to higher RPMS for a few seconds then stalls and dies again.
 
It ran fine when parked six months ago? I would try a bunch more gas first, because it's easy. I would also give it only a 25% chance that gas is the problem though. In my experience gas just doesn't go bad in that period of time, unless it gets water in in somehow. It hasn't been sitting outside without a gas cap for the last six months, has it?

When the gas doesn't work, I would start looking at the fuel pump, coil, and crank position sensor.
 
I think you should just let me get rid of it for you :D

We want to put our good parts on a nicer body...
 
Check the fuel rail for fuel/pressure. We have had a couple pumps go bad over the years that put out a little pressure, but not enough to run right..
 
spork40 said:
where is the crank position sensor and how do you test it?
Click to expand...

It's mounted to the transmission bell housing, near the top where it's really hard to replace. I remember reading how to test it once in a factory service manual, but if I remember right it was complicated and not always conclusive. The way I've tested them in the past is by replacing them. Check the fuel pressure first, since that's easy. If fuel pressure looks good go buy a new CPS from the dealer (parts store replacements are unreliable), and swap it out. If it's not bad now it will be eventually, and you'll be glad you have a spare. I have a spare in the glove box of my Jeep.
 
RockMonkey said:
It's mounted to the transmission bell housing, near the top where it's really hard to replace. I remember reading how to test it once in a factory service manual, but if I remember right it was complicated and not always conclusive. The way I've tested them in the past is by replacing them. Check the fuel pressure first, since that's easy. If fuel pressure looks good go buy a new CPS from the dealer (parts store replacements are unreliable), and swap it out. If it's not bad now it will be eventually, and you'll be glad you have a spare. I have a spare in the glove box of my Jeep.
Click to expand...


X2

Check fuel first, then move to the CPS. The CPS is such a pain to get to, if you are going to mess with it just replace it with a dealer part.
 
Last edited:
mike thurston said:
X2

Check fuel first, then move to the CPS. The CPS is such a pain to get to, if you are going to mess with it just replace it with a dealer part.
Click to expand...

It's actually not too bad with a 1/4" ratchet, a stupid long extension- like 24" worth, and a wobbly socket. But still a PIA.
 
check the fuel rail for sure. HOw low did you generaly run the gas? if you did not run it low you might of picked up some crap from the bottom of the tank and cloged the filter. but check the pressure first unless it is time for a new filter.
 
hoosier said:
check the fuel rail for sure. HOw low did you generaly run the gas? if you did not run it low you might of picked up some crap from the bottom of the tank and cloged the filter. but check the pressure first unless it is time for a new filter.
Click to expand...

Did they have external filters in 2000? I thought the only filter was inside the tank, directly on the fuel pump.
 
thanks for the help. i needed more gas, this is what i was hoping but thought that since i could not get to it until after work i would ask for help in case that was not the answer.
 
RockMonkey said:
Did they have external filters in 2000? I thought the only filter was inside the tank, directly on the fuel pump.
Click to expand...

Yes the filter is built into the pump assembly on the 2000's, i think it started in 97? not sure on when the switch happened.

Glad it was an easy fix!
 
hoosier said:
check the fuel rail for sure. HOw low did you generaly run the gas? if you did not run it low you might of picked up some crap from the bottom of the tank and cloged the filter. but check the pressure first unless it is time for a new filter.
Click to expand...

I agree. Sometimes rust forms in empty tanks. You may have clogged the filter and in turn will kill the pump. Tanks needs to be dropped to change those fuel pumps/filters.
 
Rust is unlikely since the tank should be plastic.

my 99 does NOT have an external filter. return less system too.

If I know I am going to park my vehicle for even a month a put some stable in the gas and try to have it below a 1/2 tank. When I start it I fill it up first thing to dilute the old gas. I put the Sable stuff in before I shut it off so the stuff will get up to the fuel rail.

I am probably more paranoid about that I need to be but I haven't had any problems. We parked our 1999 xj for many months. I tried to start it every few weeks but when the battery died I just let it sit.

Either the Stable or the old gas made the exhaust smell bad for a while but no check engine lights or anything.

nathan
--99 xj with lots of stuff
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top