Hard starting

Hi there,
Been having some trouble starting my car. It will take about 2 tries before my engine will start.

When I turn the key (usually the first/second time), all the normal dash lights, A/C, radio, etc. Will come on, but the engine either doesn't start or it will do a "weak" start and die out. (Note that the yellow OBD light will be on when the car doesn't start, and when it DOES start, the OBD light is OFF.)

I'd like to proactively get this fixed (don't want to be out somewhere with my baby and have my car completely die).

Do you know what the problem might be?

Thank you for this post I had this problem and serviced the actuator like the guide said runs great! I love this site.

I own a 2002 Jeep Liberty w/ 119,000.

Within the last 2 weeks, I have had problems starting the engine when its cold. The car will struggle to start, but once it does turn over, it can NOT idle on it's own. However, if I keep my foot on the gas pedal for several minutes while it warms up, it will then idle on its own (just under 1 rpm)

I had a complete diagnostic test done and nothing showed up. Starter, alternator, fuel pump were all looked at, and checked out okay. Fuel injectors were "gunked" up and cleaned. Yet, the problem remains.

This ONLY occurs when the engine is cold or has been sitting for 12+ hours. Please help! :)

But I've had similar issues in the past like that. Nearly always it has been an emission control issue, such as an O2 sensor.
Possibly another sensor is failing that is also temperature related so the air/gas mixture isn't correct. Try checking the rheastats.
I had one such problem with a rheastat where the sensor was bad which will cause the computerized transmission to start shifting erratically. It was pretty scary downshifting a gear at 60 MPH. :(

Engine Mechanical problem
2002 Jeep Liberty

I started having trouble starting my jeep over the last month, but only when it was cold. In the begining. Last week I went to start my car after work and it was dead I jumped it, no problem drove home and left again. I shut my car off, and could not restart it, I had it jumped with no results, and it had to be towed. I got a new battery and its been running fine, until today It wouldnt start or take a jump. I have no clue whats going on, has this happened to anyone else?