This Jeep will not start in the morning or after several hours of sitting without first having the heater running with the key on for about 10 minutes. When turning the key on I noted that the check engine light does not come on like the other idiot lights. Also it does not seem likely that the battery would be the problem if the heater can run for ten minutes and the vehicle will still start.

Any ideas? I don't want to spend a lot of money unless I have to.

Thanks!

That's really weird that you have to have the heater on, unless that is just something that worked out, but isnt related to the problem usually when the car doesnt start its the battery, alternator, starter, etc... check those out.

This Jeep will not start in the morning or after several hours of sitting without first having the heater running with the key on for about 10 minutes. When turning the key on I noted that the check engine light does not come on like the other idiot lights. Also it does not seem likely that the battery would be the problem if the heater can run for ten minutes and the vehicle will still start.

Any ideas? I don't want to spend a lot of money unless I have to.

Thanks!

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This may seem dumb, but: Have you tried letting the car sit, with the ignition on, but with the heater off, for ten minutes?
Barring any weird computer thing, I can only speculate that maybe there's water that accumulates somehow that causes a short, that goes away when the heater dries it up...

Ray:banghead:

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This may seem dumb, but: Have you tried letting the car sit, with the ignition on, but with the heater off, for ten minutes?
Barring any weird computer thing, I can only speculate that maybe there's water that accumulates somehow that causes a short, that goes away when the heater dries it up...

Ray:banghead:

Actually the car will not start if just the key is on without the heater however the heater is not producing any heat because the engine is not running. Further more this happens even if it has been dry out for a week!

Any other ideas? :banghead:

That's really weird that you have to have the heater on, unless that is just something that worked out, but isnt related to the problem usually when the car doesnt start its the battery, alternator, starter, etc... check those out.

The battery, alternator and starter seem to be fine.

Does anyone know if there is a wiring connector between the battery or computer to the starter that would be outside the passenger area that might be corroded? I am wondering if the heater running would heat up some wires that may then allow a connection somewhere

Longshot?

That is definitely possible man, I would suggest poping the hood on the weekend, in the middle of the day with good lighting and following your wires and see if there is any corrosion anywhere.

1 question after the Heater runs for 10 minutes does the CHECK ENGINE light then come on. or does it still stay off?, b/c I believe the fuel pump will not turn on if the CHECK ENGINE light does not come on at start up.

when the CHECK ENGINE light comes on at start up that tells u that the PCM has done the innitial diognosis test to make sure evrything is responding accordingly.