jeep wont start - fuel problem

Having a problem at start up with my 96 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The first time I encountered this problem was at the gas station. Tank was close to empty. Filled it up, then went to start it and it just turned over. Eventually, luckily before the battery died, it started. This happened again the next time I filled the tank (from empty) - Car wouldn't start. I happened to have a gas can in the back. I poured gas into the Carburetor, and it started right away. Once the gas burned off, it stalled. After doing this a couple of times, it stayed started. The third time this happened was when I tried to start it after work. I did the same thing with pouring gas in the carb and it eventually started up. 3 weeks later when getting ready to go to work, it happened again. This time, pouring gas in the carb only worked as long as I kept pouring gas into the carb. Once I stopped pouring the gas, the car would die. Do I need to replace the fuel pump or could there be another reason for this problem?

If you are running the tank on empty anf the fuel pump is in the tank, There is part of the problem. The fuel pump is cooled by the fuel, When you run less than an 1/8 tank the pump isn`t fully submerged and overheats. The other would be to check your fuel filter, It may have picked up some sediment.

Thanks for the input. Now to determine if it is actually the pump. Got quoted $300. I want to make sure it is the pump before installing it!

I tried to listen for a humm from the pump but couldn't hear one. Is it very noticeable? Could there be other causes of these symptoms?

i removed the fuel line to the filter and cranked the engine. no fuel came out! I guess this means that the fuel pump is not pumping. So, is it the pump or what controls the pump turn on?

i removed the fuel line to the filter and cranked the engine. no fuel came out! I guess this means that the fuel pump is not pumping. So, is it the pump or what controls the pump turn on?

Check and see if you have 12 volts at the fuel pump wires going into pump. If so you probably have a bad pump. Dale
jeepman600@aol.com :2cents:
Check Advance Auto they sell Carter pumps My 97 was $ 89.99

i get 5.2 volts at the blue wire when unconnected to the fuel pump and 2.3 volts when connected! the ignition is in the on position. will this voltage always be there, or does it go away after a few seconds?

went to napa and got a fuel pump $300. advance auto had them pretty much the same price. must be because of the year (96) vs your 97. disconnected the old pump and connected the new pump outside of the tank. it turned on for a couple of seconds. my old one did not turn on at all. looks like i will bite the bullet and install it and see what happens! wish me luck!

i get 5.2 volts at the blue wire when unconnected to the fuel pump and 2.3 volts when connected! the ignition is in the on position. will this voltage always be there, or does it go away after a few seconds?

You should be able to hear the fuel pump relay click when you turn key on. You should have 12 volts at fuel pump connection at tank. Dale jeepman600@aol.com

looks like it was the fuel pump! just installed (actually, not that difficult!) it and after priming the fuel line, bingo!

thanks all for the help! and to the guys at napa and autozone! they were much help, also. as for the jeep dealer service center - they were very unresponsive, as usual!!

$300 is a lot of money, but i guess there was no way around it!!!

If any one is having this problem found one On E- Bay complete Unit Original Jeep Replacement $187.

looks like it was the fuel pump! just installed (actually, not that difficult!) it and after priming the fuel line, bingo!

thanks all for the help! and to the guys at napa and autozone! they were much help, also. as for the jeep dealer service center - they were very unresponsive, as usual!!

$300 is a lot of money, but i guess there was no way around it!!!

Jeep guy. Is the 96 fuel pump inside of the tank? How long did it take you to replace your fuel pump? I have the same problem as you did. I'm just not willing to pay someone $500 to replace the part when I feel I can do it myself.

Start to finish was about 2 hours. Fuel pump is in the tank. Fortunately, the nuts were not rusted!!!
2 nuts to remove the straps which dropped the tank (ensure the tank is empty or close to it. I had ~1/4 tank of gas and was kind of heavy).
2 hose clamps to remove the hoses that go to the fuel input area.
2 hoses that run to the air intake of the engine which are on top of the fuel tank. (be sure these are removed from the tie downs before you drop the tank to aviod breaking the hoses).
Finally the wiring to the pump itself.

Once you get the tank out, remove the retaining ring that holds the pump in place. The directions said to use a special tool - I used a hammer and screwdriver to get it moving counterclockwise! It's kind of like a jar cover. Then just slide the pump out.

As far as the cost of the pump: I paid $300 at napa for the entire assembly. I guess you can get it on ebay as well. This includes the housing, filter screen, float level, and pump. Go to the thread title below. DUlrich1227 said he bought just the pump and had it installed in the existing assembly. Only cost him $90 for the pump. Make sure it is compatible!

Thread: Part #p74186 *carter Fsuel Pump

Good luck!!

[QUOTE=A. Overton] Jeep guy thnks. I'm going to tackle it this weekend. i'll let you know how it goes.

on my 93 jeep cherokee I have a fuel problem, the jeep starts but dies after a couple of seconds, before changing the pump I want to replace the filter. where is it located? By the way, gas does shoot out of the hose when I turn the engine over. This problem just started and I do sometimes fill up on empty.