So here's the mysterious story of my wife's Jeep.
1995 Wrangler, 4 cyl, automatic.
This is a "hard starting" problem.
Description: She turns the key. Engine turns, but no ignition. She keeps trying, sometimes for 10 minutes (and the fuel pump and sparkers don't seem to be engaging during this time). Then, there will be a clicking noise. Next turn of the key, the engine fires & runs beautifully.
My thoughts about what is NOT the problem:
1. Any fusible link. This can't be the problem, because if it were, the Jeep would never start.
2. The fuel pump relay or the auto shutdown relay. I have determined the clicking noise to be the fuel pump relay. I have nearly the same Jeep, but mine is manual. So I swapped our relays. No luck.
3. The fuel pump itself. Even though the fuel pump does not come on when I turn the key on, I can still make the fuel pump purr by jumpering the relay. But here's what I find funny. Most of the HVAC guys I've talked to about the problem, suggest it's the fuel pump. And yet, these are the same guys (myself included) who make fun of techs who condem blower motors that don't run when their supposed to, but still run when hooked up to line voltage.
4. The battery. I get 13 v across the terminals, and 13 v from the "red" wire to the chassis.
5. The cam or crankshaft sensors. A few people have suggested this. I guess this could be true, but wouldn't the Jeep fire right up when I jump the auto shutdown relay (needless to say, it doesn't)?
6. The distributor cap, air filter, spark plugs, or spark plug wires. ****Without my permission, and without doing any kind of tests, my father-in-law spent MY money changing these parts. And he claims to be a mechanic!****
My thoughts on what MAY be the problem:
1. Weak wire connections. This could explain the chattering relay. Also, on my Jeep, when I'm starting it, the "fasten belt", "brake", and "check engine" lights all come on. On hers, the "check engine" light doesn't come on until the last attempt before the Jeep actually starts. But how could the simple act of turning the key several times make these loose wires connect, and why doesn't the jeep ever die once it's started (going over bumps, etc)?
2. The ECU. Yep, hate to say this, but in my automotively illiterate eyes, the ECU does look like a strong suspect.
3. The ignition switch. Maybe not making good contacts on each of the successive turns?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. And if you must say something like "Find a mechanic, dipwad!" then, I guess I had it comming! But I really would appreciate a different sort of advice...
1995 Wrangler, 4 cyl, automatic.
This is a "hard starting" problem.
Description: She turns the key. Engine turns, but no ignition. She keeps trying, sometimes for 10 minutes (and the fuel pump and sparkers don't seem to be engaging during this time). Then, there will be a clicking noise. Next turn of the key, the engine fires & runs beautifully.
My thoughts about what is NOT the problem:
1. Any fusible link. This can't be the problem, because if it were, the Jeep would never start.
2. The fuel pump relay or the auto shutdown relay. I have determined the clicking noise to be the fuel pump relay. I have nearly the same Jeep, but mine is manual. So I swapped our relays. No luck.
3. The fuel pump itself. Even though the fuel pump does not come on when I turn the key on, I can still make the fuel pump purr by jumpering the relay. But here's what I find funny. Most of the HVAC guys I've talked to about the problem, suggest it's the fuel pump. And yet, these are the same guys (myself included) who make fun of techs who condem blower motors that don't run when their supposed to, but still run when hooked up to line voltage.
4. The battery. I get 13 v across the terminals, and 13 v from the "red" wire to the chassis.
5. The cam or crankshaft sensors. A few people have suggested this. I guess this could be true, but wouldn't the Jeep fire right up when I jump the auto shutdown relay (needless to say, it doesn't)?
6. The distributor cap, air filter, spark plugs, or spark plug wires. ****Without my permission, and without doing any kind of tests, my father-in-law spent MY money changing these parts. And he claims to be a mechanic!****
My thoughts on what MAY be the problem:
1. Weak wire connections. This could explain the chattering relay. Also, on my Jeep, when I'm starting it, the "fasten belt", "brake", and "check engine" lights all come on. On hers, the "check engine" light doesn't come on until the last attempt before the Jeep actually starts. But how could the simple act of turning the key several times make these loose wires connect, and why doesn't the jeep ever die once it's started (going over bumps, etc)?
2. The ECU. Yep, hate to say this, but in my automotively illiterate eyes, the ECU does look like a strong suspect.
3. The ignition switch. Maybe not making good contacts on each of the successive turns?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. And if you must say something like "Find a mechanic, dipwad!" then, I guess I had it comming! But I really would appreciate a different sort of advice...
etc. 
