Hard Start

VBENSON1

MEMBER
1996 JEEP CHEROKEE
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
137,000 MILES

I have a 1996 jeep Cherokee and it starts very hard when the engine is cold. I have to crank it 2-4 times before it starts. After that the engine runs very rough for about 10-20 seconds. Once it is warm it runs fine. When I have been driving it and shut it off it starts fine. I have changed the o2 sensor before the cat. The plugs and wires. The fuel pump was changed approx. 15k miles ago. Pressure at the rail is fine. What could be causing this?

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 AT 10:55 AM

1 Reply

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

Hello,

There could be several reasons of why the engine is hard to start.
It could be due to a weak fuel pump, dirty throttle body, worn spark plugs, low cylinder compression, faulty mass air flow sensor etc.

Sometimes cleaning out the throttle body can improve the starting issue.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

Take a look at this guide, it covers all the basics of hard starring reasons:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-cranks-excessively-before-starting

Let me know what you find or if you have any questions.
Thank you.

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