Wrangler starts, runs for 3 seconds?

[ElAlumbrado]

I've got a 2000 4-cylinder manual Wrangler. The other day, after
stopping for a bit in the back-country of Big Bend National Park, we
started experiencing a problem. The Jeep would start and run normally
for roughly 3 seconds, then quit as if the ignition were turned off. I
checked everything I could at the time, including fuses, relays, fuel
delivery, and airflow. Fuel was near full and oil pressure read normal
before the engine cut off. Problem is reliably repeatable (meaning I
still can't get the blasted thing to run for more than 3 seconds).
Couldn't find anything obviously wrong, which makes me suspect it's an
"electronic" problem. Does anybody have any ideas what to look for?

After waiting for about 8 hours, the Border Patrol finally found us and
dispatched a *very* expensive tow truck to haul us back to our RV. With
the Jeep malfunctioning, we cut our little vacation short, hooked it up
to the RV and drove home. I'm reluctant to take the Jeep off-road again
until (1) I know what caused the problem and (2) have a way to fix it
(at least temporarily) in the field should it happen again.

Thanks for your help,
Bill

***@yahoo.com

[Jerry Bransford]

Do you have a security "Sentry" key system? If so, I'm betting it's
related to that.

Post by ElAlumbrado
I've got a 2000 4-cylinder manual Wrangler. The other day, after
stopping for a bit in the back-country of Big Bend National Park, we
started experiencing a problem. The Jeep would start and run normally
for roughly 3 seconds, then quit as if the ignition were turned off. I
checked everything I could at the time, including fuses, relays, fuel
delivery, and airflow. Fuel was near full and oil pressure read normal
before the engine cut off. Problem is reliably repeatable (meaning I
still can't get the blasted thing to run for more than 3 seconds).
Couldn't find anything obviously wrong, which makes me suspect it's an
"electronic" problem. Does anybody have any ideas what to look for?
After waiting for about 8 hours, the Border Patrol finally found us and
dispatched a *very* expensive tow truck to haul us back to our RV. With
the Jeep malfunctioning, we cut our little vacation short, hooked it up
to the RV and drove home. I'm reluctant to take the Jeep off-road again
until (1) I know what caused the problem and (2) have a way to fix it
(at least temporarily) in the field should it happen again.
Thanks for your help,
Bill

[James]

Were you using an after-market key, just recut from the original?

I had a key made at Home Depot, not realizing that it needed to the the
electronic (encoded) key. It would crank, run 3 seconds, and shut off.

As Jerry noted, it may be security related.

--james--

[SteveBrady]

It shouldn't start at all if you have the wrong key.
At work we have a cherokee and it's key fits in my ignition...and will turn
it, but the KEY-shaped light comes on, on my console....no start though1

Post by Jerry Bransford
Do you have a security "Sentry" key system? If so, I'm betting it's
related to that.

I've got a 2000 4-cylinder manual Wrangler. The other day, after stopping
for a bit in the back-country of Big Bend National Park, we started
experiencing a problem. The Jeep would start and run normally for roughly
3 seconds, then quit as if the ignition were turned off. I checked
everything I could at the time, including fuses, relays, fuel delivery,
and airflow. Fuel was near full and oil pressure read normal before the
engine cut off. Problem is reliably repeatable (meaning I still can't get
the blasted thing to run for more than 3 seconds). Couldn't find anything
obviously wrong, which makes me suspect it's an "electronic" problem.
Does anybody have any ideas what to look for?
After waiting for about 8 hours, the Border Patrol finally found us and
dispatched a *very* expensive tow truck to haul us back to our RV. With
the Jeep malfunctioning, we cut our little vacation short, hooked it up
to the RV and drove home. I'm reluctant to take the Jeep off-road again
until (1) I know what caused the problem and (2) have a way to fix it (at
least temporarily) in the field should it happen again.
Thanks for your help,
Bill

--
Jerry Bransford
PP-ASEL N6TAY
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/

[Jerry Bransford]

Nope, it will start even with the wrong key and then after the code is
checked, the engine will be killed if the code doesn't match. I
discovered this when I had an extra key made for my wife's JGC that did
not have any kind of security chip.

Jerry

Post by SteveBrady
It shouldn't start at all if you have the wrong key.
At work we have a cherokee and it's key fits in my ignition...and will turn
it, but the KEY-shaped light comes on, on my console....no start though1

Post by Jerry Bransford
Do you have a security "Sentry" key system? If so, I'm betting it's
related to that.

I've got a 2000 4-cylinder manual Wrangler. The other day, after stopping
for a bit in the back-country of Big Bend National Park, we started
experiencing a problem. The Jeep would start and run normally for roughly
3 seconds, then quit as if the ignition were turned off. I checked
everything I could at the time, including fuses, relays, fuel delivery,
and airflow. Fuel was near full and oil pressure read normal before the
engine cut off. Problem is reliably repeatable (meaning I still can't get
the blasted thing to run for more than 3 seconds). Couldn't find anything
obviously wrong, which makes me suspect it's an "electronic" problem.
Does anybody have any ideas what to look for?
After waiting for about 8 hours, the Border Patrol finally found us and
dispatched a *very* expensive tow truck to haul us back to our RV. With
the Jeep malfunctioning, we cut our little vacation short, hooked it up
to the RV and drove home. I'm reluctant to take the Jeep off-road again
until (1) I know what caused the problem and (2) have a way to fix it (at
least temporarily) in the field should it happen again.
Thanks for your help,
Bill

--
Jerry Bransford
PP-ASEL N6TAY
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/

[ElAlumbrado]

Post by Jerry Bransford
Do you have a security "Sentry" key system? If so, I'm betting it's
related to that.

Key is the same key I've been using for 5 years. Perhaps a sensor
failure of some kind?

Bill

[mic canic]

either the skim key or skim module is falling need to pull fault codes

Post by ElAlumbrado

Post by Jerry Bransford
Do you have a security "Sentry" key system? If so, I'm betting it's
related to that.

Key is the same key I've been using for 5 years. Perhaps a sensor
failure of some kind?
Bill

[ISellJeeps]

try the crank position sensor

I've got a 2000 4-cylinder manual Wrangler. The other day, after stopping
for a bit in the back-country of Big Bend National Park, we started
experiencing a problem. The Jeep would start and run normally for roughly
3 seconds, then quit as if the ignition were turned off. I checked
everything I could at the time, including fuses, relays, fuel delivery,
and airflow. Fuel was near full and oil pressure read normal before the
engine cut off. Problem is reliably repeatable (meaning I still can't get
the blasted thing to run for more than 3 seconds). Couldn't find anything
obviously wrong, which makes me suspect it's an "electronic" problem. Does
anybody have any ideas what to look for?
After waiting for about 8 hours, the Border Patrol finally found us and
dispatched a *very* expensive tow truck to haul us back to our RV. With
the Jeep malfunctioning, we cut our little vacation short, hooked it up to
the RV and drove home. I'm reluctant to take the Jeep off-road again until
(1) I know what caused the problem and (2) have a way to fix it (at least
temporarily) in the field should it happen again.
Thanks for your help,
Bill

[L.W.(ßill) Hughes III]

Could be, if the Auto Shutdown relay doesn't get a signal from the
Crank Position Sensor it will shut down at three seconds, as per:
http://www.billhughes.com/TJshutdown.pdf
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O

Post by ISellJeeps
try the crank position sensor

[Jerry Bransford]

It won't even start without a good CPS signal which is the engine's
Master timing signal that provides timing for everything. Without the
CPS, it has no idea even when to send spark to the spark plugs. Yes the
PDC shuts the ASD relay down in 3 seconds if any of lots of signals are
not there but the engine won't even start without a good CPS timing signal.

Post by L.W.(ßill) Hughes III
Could be, if the Auto Shutdown relay doesn't get a signal from the
http://www.billhughes.com/TJshutdown.pdf
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O

Post by ISellJeeps
try the crank position sensor

[Mike Romain]

Jerry, the link Bill gives says if the PCM does not receive a signal
from the CPS within 3 seconds of cranking it will shut down the
injectors.

That does imply the engine will start fine and then up and quit.

It sure wouldn't hurt to give the CPS plug and socket a quick clean with
a contact cleaner spray.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Post by Jerry Bransford
It won't even start without a good CPS signal which is the engine's
Master timing signal that provides timing for everything. Without the
CPS, it has no idea even when to send spark to the spark plugs. Yes the
PDC shuts the ASD relay down in 3 seconds if any of lots of signals are
not there but the engine won't even start without a good CPS timing signal.

Post by L.W.(ßill) Hughes III
Could be, if the Auto Shutdown relay doesn't get a signal from the
http://www.billhughes.com/TJshutdown.pdf
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O

Post by ISellJeeps
try the crank position sensor

--
Jerry Bransford
PP-ASEL N6TAY
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/

[Jerry Bransford]

Yes of course Mike but the engine will not actually start without the
CPS signal. If the CPS signal is not present, it will not start and
then within 3 seconds the ASD will shut the fuel flow off to the injectors.

Post by Mike Romain
Jerry, the link Bill gives says if the PCM does not receive a signal
from the CPS within 3 seconds of cranking it will shut down the
injectors.
That does imply the engine will start fine and then up and quit.
It sure wouldn't hurt to give the CPS plug and socket a quick clean with
a contact cleaner spray.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Post by Jerry Bransford
It won't even start without a good CPS signal which is the engine's
Master timing signal that provides timing for everything. Without the
CPS, it has no idea even when to send spark to the spark plugs. Yes the
PDC shuts the ASD relay down in 3 seconds if any of lots of signals are
not there but the engine won't even start without a good CPS timing signal.

Post by L.W.(ßill) Hughes III
Could be, if the Auto Shutdown relay doesn't get a signal from the
http://www.billhughes.com/TJshutdown.pdf
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O

Post by ISellJeeps
try the crank position sensor

--
Jerry Bransford
PP-ASEL N6TAY
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/

[Mike Romain]

I just read it again carefully and it says it only 'looks' for the CPS
signal on starter turning. If it doesn't get it after 3 seconds it
shuts off the fuel.

I would think the same as you do, but that document seems to imply
otherwise.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Post by Jerry Bransford
Yes of course Mike but the engine will not actually start without the
CPS signal. If the CPS signal is not present, it will not start and
then within 3 seconds the ASD will shut the fuel flow off to the injectors.

Post by Mike Romain
Jerry, the link Bill gives says if the PCM does not receive a signal
from the CPS within 3 seconds of cranking it will shut down the
injectors.
That does imply the engine will start fine and then up and quit.
It sure wouldn't hurt to give the CPS plug and socket a quick clean with
a contact cleaner spray.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Post by Jerry Bransford
It won't even start without a good CPS signal which is the engine's
Master timing signal that provides timing for everything. Without the
CPS, it has no idea even when to send spark to the spark plugs. Yes the
PDC shuts the ASD relay down in 3 seconds if any of lots of signals are
not there but the engine won't even start without a good CPS timing signal.

Post by L.W.(ßill) Hughes III
Could be, if the Auto Shutdown relay doesn't get a signal from the
http://www.billhughes.com/TJshutdown.pdf
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O

Post by ISellJeeps
try the crank position sensor

--
Jerry Bransford
PP-ASEL N6TAY
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/

--
Jerry Bransford
PP-ASEL N6TAY
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/

[Jerry Bransford]

I see where you're coming from Mike but without that timing signal, the
engine cannot start since no spark can/will be generated.

Jerry

Post by Mike Romain
I just read it again carefully and it says it only 'looks' for the CPS
signal on starter turning. If it doesn't get it after 3 seconds it
shuts off the fuel.
I would think the same as you do, but that document seems to imply
otherwise.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Post by Jerry Bransford
Yes of course Mike but the engine will not actually start without the
CPS signal. If the CPS signal is not present, it will not start and
then within 3 seconds the ASD will shut the fuel flow off to the injectors.

Post by Mike Romain
Jerry, the link Bill gives says if the PCM does not receive a signal
from the CPS within 3 seconds of cranking it will shut down the
injectors.
That does imply the engine will start fine and then up and quit.
It sure wouldn't hurt to give the CPS plug and socket a quick clean with
a contact cleaner spray.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Post by Jerry Bransford
It won't even start without a good CPS signal which is the engine's
Master timing signal that provides timing for everything. Without the
CPS, it has no idea even when to send spark to the spark plugs. Yes the
PDC shuts the ASD relay down in 3 seconds if any of lots of signals are
not there but the engine won't even start without a good CPS timing signal.

Post by L.W.(ßill) Hughes III
Could be, if the Auto Shutdown relay doesn't get a signal from the
http://www.billhughes.com/TJshutdown.pdf
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O

Post by ISellJeeps
try the crank position sensor

--
Jerry Bransford
PP-ASEL N6TAY
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/

--
Jerry Bransford
PP-ASEL N6TAY
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/

[L.W.(ßill) Hughes III]

Hi Mike,
I can tell you there are varying degrees of Crank Position Sensor
failure that have happened to every one of my Brother's Cherokees,
except for the last WJ, one of the failures threw the computer into a
safe mode with a top speed of twenty miles an hour.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O

Post by Mike Romain
I just read it again carefully and it says it only 'looks' for the CPS
signal on starter turning. If it doesn't get it after 3 seconds it
shuts off the fuel.
I would think the same as you do, but that document seems to imply
otherwise.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

[Eric]

A friend of mine had a cougar that did the exact same thing. It was
actually the ignition switch itself. The tumbler that the key inserts into.
As it sprung back from "start" to "run" it would cut off. After starting
it, I'd let go just enough to disengage the starter. It would run forever,
until you let the key go.

Eric
99 TJ SE

I've got a 2000 4-cylinder manual Wrangler. The other day, after stopping
for a bit in the back-country of Big Bend National Park, we started
experiencing a problem. The Jeep would start and run normally for roughly
3 seconds, then quit as if the ignition were turned off. I checked
everything I could at the time, including fuses, relays, fuel delivery,
and airflow. Fuel was near full and oil pressure read normal before the
engine cut off. Problem is reliably repeatable (meaning I still can't get
the blasted thing to run for more than 3 seconds). Couldn't find anything
obviously wrong, which makes me suspect it's an "electronic" problem. Does
anybody have any ideas what to look for?
After waiting for about 8 hours, the Border Patrol finally found us and
dispatched a *very* expensive tow truck to haul us back to our RV. With
the Jeep malfunctioning, we cut our little vacation short, hooked it up to
the RV and drove home. I'm reluctant to take the Jeep off-road again until
(1) I know what caused the problem and (2) have a way to fix it (at least
temporarily) in the field should it happen again.
Thanks for your help,
Bill

[Will Honea]

I would be checking the fuel pump. One that's on it's way out will do
that: enough pressure builds up to start but not enough capacity to
even keep up with idle RPM fuel usage. A badly clogged fuel filter
can act the same way, but you should have had some warning if that was
the case (stumbling at higher RPM, etc.).

On Thu, 17 Mar 2005 00:30:09 UTC "ElAlumbrado"

Post by ElAlumbrado
I've got a 2000 4-cylinder manual Wrangler. The other day, after
stopping for a bit in the back-country of Big Bend National Park, we
started experiencing a problem. The Jeep would start and run normally
for roughly 3 seconds, then quit as if the ignition were turned off. I
checked everything I could at the time, including fuses, relays, fuel
delivery, and airflow. Fuel was near full and oil pressure read normal
before the engine cut off. Problem is reliably repeatable (meaning I
still can't get the blasted thing to run for more than 3 seconds).
Couldn't find anything obviously wrong, which makes me suspect it's an
"electronic" problem. Does anybody have any ideas what to look for?
After waiting for about 8 hours, the Border Patrol finally found us and
dispatched a *very* expensive tow truck to haul us back to our RV. With
the Jeep malfunctioning, we cut our little vacation short, hooked it up
to the RV and drove home. I'm reluctant to take the Jeep off-road again
until (1) I know what caused the problem and (2) have a way to fix it
(at least temporarily) in the field should it happen again.
Thanks for your help,
Bill

[L.W.(ßill) Hughes III]

Hi Bill,
Pull the codes: http://www.wjjeeps.com/faultcodes.htm
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O

Post by ElAlumbrado
I've got a 2000 4-cylinder manual Wrangler. The other day, after
stopping for a bit in the back-country of Big Bend National Park, we
started experiencing a problem. The Jeep would start and run normally
for roughly 3 seconds, then quit as if the ignition were turned off. I
checked everything I could at the time, including fuses, relays, fuel
delivery, and airflow. Fuel was near full and oil pressure read normal
before the engine cut off. Problem is reliably repeatable (meaning I
still can't get the blasted thing to run for more than 3 seconds).
Couldn't find anything obviously wrong, which makes me suspect it's an
"electronic" problem. Does anybody have any ideas what to look for?
After waiting for about 8 hours, the Border Patrol finally found us and
dispatched a *very* expensive tow truck to haul us back to our RV. With
the Jeep malfunctioning, we cut our little vacation short, hooked it up
to the RV and drove home. I'm reluctant to take the Jeep off-road again
until (1) I know what caused the problem and (2) have a way to fix it
(at least temporarily) in the field should it happen again.
Thanks for your help,
Bill