hard starting

[94VERTiGO]

My son just picked up an XJ a few months back and it seems to take an awful long time to start. It always does start and it seems to run well, but you have to hold the key in the start position for an uncomfortably long time before it finally starts even with no accesories on.
We replaced plugs (the ones we pulled looked very good) seems a tune up was probably performed recently on this xj. The dist. cap, rotor, plug wires, air filter, etc...all look good. Sprayed WD-40 around looking for vacuum leak while it was running and didn't find any apparent leak.
It is an '89 with the 4.0 and auto trans. 4x4.
Any ideas?

 

[94VERTiGO]

oh, we replaced the battery last month. No change in time it takes for it to start.

 

[partsxj]

It sounds like the fuel is draining back to the tank. Cycle the key on and off a few times, listening for the fuel pump to come on and turn off. Then try to start it. This builds up the fuel pressure. It works for me, hope this helps.

 

[8Mud]

Like PartsXJ said cycle the key from off to run and back to off a few times then try a start and see what happens.

Another common problem is a weak CPS pulse signal. The wires from the CPS are cooked onto the exhaust, the connector is dirty (no WD-40 here) or the CPS is just failing. Clean the sensor connectors with a good quality electronic cleaner/relay spray. I scrub mine out with one of those tiny tooth brushes you use for cleaning between your teeth. WD-40 leaves a coating of wax and/or oil that can cause problems in low voltage sensor circuits

The IAC sometimes sticks, most times it is a seriously cruddy IAC piston and seat. Sometimes it is an electrical issue. Try starting with the pedal depressed about 1/8th pedal. Normally they start with no pedal, except when the IAC is stuck partially closed and/or sticky and slow, for whatever reason.

Check for weak spark, remove a cable and a plug, ground the plug to a good ground and watch the spark, be careful. I usually use and old plug and open it up to around 60-80 thousandths. The spark should be sharp blue/white, if it is large and yellow it is likely weak. Most times it is bad spark plug or coil to cap cable or low voltage to the coil. You really need to do an ohm check on the cables.

There are other reasons, these are some of the more common.

 

[cruiser54]

Check the CPS output.

Renix CPS Testing and Adjusting
　
　
Renix CPSs have to put out a strong enough signal to the ECU so that it will provide spark.
Most tests for the CPS suggest checking it for an ohms value. This is unreliable and can cause some wasted time and aggravation in your diagnosis of a no-start issue as the CPS will test good when in fact it is bad.
The problem with the ohms test is you can have the correct amount of resistance through the CPS but it isn’t generating enough voltage to trigger the ECU to provide spark.
Unplug the harness connector from the CPS. Using your voltmeter set on AC volts and probing both wires in the connector going to the CPS, crank the engine over. It won’t start with the CPS disconnected.
You should get a reading of .5 AC volts.
If you are down in the .35 AC volts range or lower on your meter reading, you can have intermittent crank/no-start conditions from your Renix Jeep. Some NEW CPSs (from the big box parts stores) have registered only .2 AC volts while reading the proper resistance!! That’s a definite no-start condition. Best to buy your CPS from Napa or the dealer.
Sometimes on a manual transmission equipped Renix Jeep there is an accumulation of debris on the tip of the CPS. It’s worn off clutch material and since the CPS is a magnet, the metal sticks to the tip of the CPS causing a reduced voltage signal. You MAY get by with cleaning the tip of the CPS off.
A little trick for increasing the output of your CPS is to drill out the upper mounting hole, or slot it so the CPS bracket rests on the bell housing when pushed down. Then, when mounting it, hold the CPS down as close to the flywheel as you can while tightening the bolts.

　
　
Revised 07-30-2012

 

[cruiser54]

Because of the year, be sure to do this. The CPS signal runs throught the c101 and can be hindered.

Renix Jeep C101 Connector Refreshing
　
The C101 connector on 1987 and 1988 Renix Jeeps was a source of electrical resistance when the vehicles were new. So much so that the factory eliminated this connector in the 1989 and 1990 models. The factory recommended cleaning this connector to insure the proper voltage and ground signals between the ECU and the fuel injection sensors. We can only imagine how this connector has become a larger source of voltage loss and increased resistance over a period of almost 25 years. The C101 connector needs to be cleaned at least once in the lifetime of your vehicle. Chances are it’s never been done before.

Almost every critical signal between the engine sensors, injectors, ECU, and some to the TCU, travel this path through the C101 connector.
The C101 connector is located on the driver’s side firewall above and behind the brake booster. It is held together with a single bolt in it’s center. To get the connectors apart, simply remove the bolt and pull the halves apart. You will find the connector is packed with a black tar like substance which has hardened over time.
Take a pocket screwdriver or the like and scrape out all the tar crap you can. Follow up by spraying out both connector halves with brake cleaner and then swabbing out the remainder of the tar. Repeat this procedure until the tar is totally removed. This may require 3 or more repetitions. Wipe out the connectors after spraying with a soft cloth.
If you have a small pick or dental tool, tweak the female connectors on the one side so they grab the pins on the opposite side a bit tighter before bolting both halves back together.
　
Revised 07-17-2012

 

[cruiser54]

And since cranking speed is important on a REnix, do this while you're at it.

Renix Ground Refreshing
The Renix era XJs and MJs were built with an under-engineered grounding system for the engine/transmission electronics. One problem in particular involves the multiple ground connection at the engine dipstick tube stud. A poor ground here can cause a multitude of driveabililty issues, wasted time, and wasted money replacing unnecessary components.
The components grounding at the dipstick tube stud are:
Distributor Sync Sensor, TCU main ground, TCU "Shift Point Logic", Ignition control Module, Injectors, ECU main ground which other engine sensors ground through, Oxygen sensor, Knock Sensor, Cruise Control, and Transmission Sync signal. All extremely important stuff.
The factory was aware of the issues with this ground point and addressed it by suggesting the following:
Remove the nut holding the wire terminals to the stud. Verify that the stud is indeed tightened securely into the block. Scrape any and all paint from the stud’s mounting surface where the wires will attach. Must be clean, shiny and free of any oil, grease, or paint.
Inspect the wire terminals. Check to see that none of the terminals are crimped over wire insulation instead of bare wire. Be sure the crimps are tight. It wouldn’t hurt to re-crimp them just as a matter of course. Sand and polish the wire terminals until clean and shiny on both sides. Reinstall all the wires to the stud and tighten the nut down securely.
While you’re in that general area, locate the battery negative cable which is fastened to the engine block just forward of the dipstick stud. Remove the bolt, scrape the block to bare metal, clean and polish the cable terminal, and reattach securely.
Another area where the grounding system on Renix era Jeeps was lacking is the engine to chassis ground. There is a braided cable from the back of the cylinder head that also attaches to the driver’s side of the firewall. This cable is undersized for it’s intended use and subject to corrosion and poor connections at each end.
First off, remove the cable end from the firewall using a 15mm wrench or socket. Scrape the paint off down to bare metal and clean the wire terminal. Reattach securely.
Remove the other end of the cable from the rear of the head using a 3’4" socket. Clean all the oil, paint and crud from the stud. Clean the wire terminal of the cable and reattach securely.
A suggestion regarding the braided cable:
I prefer to add a #4 Gauge cable from the firewall to a bolt on the rear of the intake manifold, either to a heat shield bolt or fuel rail bolt. A cable about 18" long with a 3/8" lug on each end works great and you can get one at any parts store already made up. Napa has them as part number 781116.
A further improvement to the grounding system can be made using a #4 cable, about 10" long with 3/8" terminals at each end. Attach one end of this cable to the negative battery bolt and the other end under the closest 10mm headed bolt on the radiator support just forward of the battery. Napa part number 781115.
　
　
If you want to upgrade your grounds and battery cables in general, contact Jon at www.kelleyswip.com. He makes an incredible cable upgrade for a very reasonable price.
　
Revised 11-28-2011