Gas issues in my XJ

C

ChairOKing

NAXJA Forum User
Location
TX
I recently bought a 1996 Jeep cherokee, and a week or so after I got it i noticed that sometimes it would, in the middle of accelerating or breaking, seem like it was running out of gas, but I had plenty in my tank. It would do this for a good 5 seconds and then just stop and start running fine again. I called my mechanic and he told me to try and change the fuel filter, and see if that fixed my problem.

I replaced the fuel filter on my jeep yesterday, and after I replaced it and everything was reconnected I started it up to see if I had done it correctly, and my jeep started fine. I turned it off and let it sit for about 30 mins while i replaced a headlight wiring harness, and whenever I tried to start it again it wouldn't turn over. It sounds like its out of gas.

I thought maybe I had just gotten crap in the new fuel filter by accident so I replaced the fuel line from the gas tank to the fuel filter, then I put a new fuel filter on again. The same thing happened. I started it up, it drove fine. I drove it to work and when I came out a couple hours later it sounds like it is out of gas.

Any suggestions/questions? I need help, please.
 
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First step is to figure out if you have spark or gas then this occurs. Likely culprits are the CPS sensor, ignition coil, fuel pump, etc. Just need to narrow it down with some basic diagnostics.
 
From reading that article, I am starting to think it might be the fuel pressure regulator.

I have pressure at the schrader valve whenever I depress it, and the original problem of the engine hesitating only happened during acceleration. Whenever I would remove my foot from the gas, and let it just settle, It would stop. Could it be possible the engine was getting flooded and causing hesitating, due to a defective fuel pressure regulator?

I don't know if this is pertinent, but after I bought the jeep I realized that the actual fuel tank is dented pretty bad. What possible adverse affect could this have on the fuel system?
 
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The first thing I'd do is use the key method and see what the MIL codes say. They aren't often definitive but may put you on the right track. You can have stored codes that don't light up the check engine light.
If it was my 96 I'd look at the O2 sensors, the TPS and do a fuel pressure check.
The only two times I've had my 96 crap out, was from a faulty connection in the ASD circuit. It would crap out randomly. The other issue is, if I park it hot, the fuel rail overheats and causes a "poor run" (lean) condition at startup (sometimes).
When you pulled the filter did you empty it out into a bowl or can. I always do and then take a look at what comes out. Rust flakes can be a sign of a corroded fuel tank, chunks of rubber may be the fuel line dieing of old age. 95 and early 96 had a rash of the internal (inside the fuel tank) rubber, connected to the pump, disintegrating. It may not be a regulator issue (my 96 doesn't have a regulator per say, it has a pressure (check) valve).
 
Well I just went out and tried to start it, after letting it sit for two nights, and it started up just fine.

I'm assuming it still has the same problem though.

"If it was my 96 I'd look at the O2 sensors, the TPS and do a fuel pressure check."

I know I have fuel pressure.
How do I determine if it is the O2 sensor, and would this cause it to randomly start and not start?
and what is the TPS?
 
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