Car Starts but wont stay running.......

Get an OBD scan, most large auto parts houses will scan it free, and we can eliminate a lot of guesswork

That would be great but it doesnt stay running long enough to get it there. It starts then dies.

check for vacuum leaks.

If it crank,s and then shut,s off,you have fire,but loosing fuel,tell him to check the fuel filter,and fuel pump,other word,to say if he is old school,is tell him to check for a fuel problem,

May even be as simple as the fuel relay.

I have a 1999 Cherokee and am experiencing the same problem. Car will only start with a jump but once I take my foot off the gas it dies. Did you figure out the problem with yours?

I have the same problem. 97 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Replaced the cat and fuel pump. Still having the problem. With this, I would venture to guess the problem may NOT be the pump or filter. Any other suggestions would greatly be appreciated. I will be checking the relay next.

I'm having the same issue. it started thanksgiving night. I had to keep my foot on the gas and use my left foot to break, it's no fun. If anyone has any in site please help.

First it was cutting off on me at stop signs and red lights I had to put my foot on the brake and gas to keep it running then it started running hot.We replaced the clutch fan and then the water pump went out we replaced that now it wont stay running.Now we are replacing the fuel filter crossing my fingers and praying this is it.

I mean we changed the thermostat first and so on

So far mine is running

There is apparently more than one thing that can make this happen. I realize that the original post was a year ago but for the sake of anyone who may read these - I had the same problem on my 97 and one solution is that if the battery goes dead after having been locked by the key fob which sets the security system, then you open the door with the key, get the battery charged, it will not stay running. You have to use the key fob, I suggest locking the doors with it, then open the doors with it, disarming the security system, and it will run. Worked fine for months. Problem is I since have had other issues, which is why I came here, it will not stay running, key fob makes no difference, and all the gauges are dead but fuses are fine. It may be the computer, don't know yet.

I had this issue. It's either your crankshaft sensor or mass flow sensor... 3 option could be camshaft sensor. (Least likely ) but all 3 has similar symptoms.

Use the gas pedal to help the engine start. Immediately go for a 10 minute drive. For 1996+ Jeeps, the OBD-II engine computer (ECU/PCM) re- boots, and the idle settings are deleted, when you: (1) let the battery run down by leaving the lights or radio on, (2) disconnect the battery for an extended period of time, (3) or when the battery goes bad and needs replacing. Your symptoms are: (1) having difficulties starting the engine without depressing the gas pedal, and (2) the engine will have a low idle and probably stall unless you keep your foot on the gas pedal. The ECU will relearn the idle settings after a short period of driving and the engine will start and idle normally. Loose, corroded, or damaged battery cables or ground wires may also cause or contribute to the problem. Begin with basic trouble shooting of the start and charge systems. Remove, clean, and firmly reconnect all the wires and cables to the battery, starter, and alternator. Look for corroded or damaged cables and replace as needed. Do the same for the grounding wires from the battery and engine to the Cherokee's frame/body. If the symptoms reoccur, you need to have your battery and/or the alternator load tested at a repair shop or auto parts store. This is usually a free service they offer to bring in potential customers. Even with low battery voltage, the engine will start, but the ECU can re-boot multiple times and a new battery may be required.

try looking into the ignition under the key mine was bad cost me 2k just to finally figure that out all u need 2 do is take it out look and see if corrosion or burn mark on copper connections or contacts it should take a T20 to take apart

09/04/16 Mine was the ignition switch once that was replaced it started right up. When we pulled the old switch off it was burned. So for now I'm set

I have a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee and I've been having issues it won't idal at all stalls out under 1k rpm I can start it by keeping my foot on the gas and it will run grate above 1k but stalls under that I replaced fuel filter pcv valve idal air control valve replaced crank sensor whole distributor cam sensor tps sensor cleaned whole throttle body also put in a new pcm cuz thought the old one was bad and the jeeps still having issues I can hear the fuel pump kick on too any one got an answer or maybe some ware to look

Jeepin. Make sure you have 40 psi st the fuel rail. Even though the pump is running, it may be producing low pressure.

i have a 1998 grand Cherokee drove fine last night and today untill i went and picked my girlfriend up from work i went to leave and it turned over then died so i tried to turn over and gave it gas and still died im not a mechanic had to replace the front end and eliminate 4x4 changed all 4 breaks ran fine last night and earlier today but had to have it towed back it would be great if i can get some help the info ive found is it could be the fuel pump fuel filter or the fuel injectors or the carburetor id appreciate the help

my grand cherokee is 2004, starts with problems and i have to keep it accelerated until goes normal, after few minutes i can drive it normal, this problem started 4 days ago and every day is getting worst. any help is welcomed

I do know that if the battery goes low (maybe 10 or 11 volts) they will not stay running unless you keep the engine revved and until the battery is charged up. Not sure that is your trouble tho if the battery is strong enough to start it. Not sure if the computer could be getting less than 12 volts due to poor connections and the starter is still getting full voltage. Sorry can't help.

I have a 1995 grand and it will run for awhile and then start bogging out. Brand new battery water pump fuel filter and altnator is good had it tested. Any suggestions on what it could be?

Have you tested the fuel pump? If it bogs rather than an abrupt stop then it is not the security system that is being triggered. On mine it starts abruptly and stops immediately so something is triggering the automatic shutdown circuit in the computer. It shuts off the fuel supply immediately. Sounds like if yours is bogging out could be fuel pump or something with fuel. If it is getting too much fuel it should blow smoke or something. Have the fuel pressure tested. Mine is a 97 and is a forerunner of the fuel injection system. If yours is straight carb then could be carb is gunked up, try carb cleaner in that case. Sorry, not much help, just guessing. s

I have a '96 jeep. Same issue. I solved my issue by changing a fuse under the dash. The fuse i changed showed it was still good but once i cjanged it the problem was gone. It idles good, nothing wrong now.

Thanks for the tip, I will look at fuses again. Any idea which one it was that was bad? Thanks!

I have a 2004 Cherokee and my battery went dead. I cleaned the connections on the battery and gave it a jump. It took the jump and I was able to start it but it would not stay started. I tried the suggestion from Jeepurz about how the battery went dead after having been locked by the key fob. So I locked the door with the fob, then opened the doors with it, disarming the security system. It worked!!!! Thanks so much for the suggestion!!!

Jeep 2003 Cherokee straight 6 - bad idle, freakish stalling and vibrating in the steering column when coming to a stop (acted like the jeep was confused about which gear to down shift to as it slowed down while breaking and RANDOM horrible acceleration from a stop (bogged down like it was trying to get going in 4rth gear from a stop) = I fixed it by replacing the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) located on the back of the throttle box ((toward the dash)). BAM = Fixed! Now the damn jeep only starts when it wants to each morning... Fix one thing, Chrysler manufactured something else to break next...

Same issue, replaced the Idle Air Control, the original looked like the shaft had popped out, got the new one, put it in and presto. Works like new.

Also, it's a good idea to clean and lube the throttle body, swap out the IAC and TPS if they are old and acting up. I haven't had any issues since I did those 3 things.

I had same issue on my 2001 after letting the battery drain. Jump starts but let foot off pedal it dies. it was the battery it had zero charge on it. It was time for a new one anyhow as it had a bulge in the side

I have a 97 grand Jeep Cherokee, I am myself and my father is a mechanic. But I have never seen this before, I jumpstarted my car and it will only stay running with my foot on the gas and then once shuts off it starts to click when trying to turn over the ignition . Any thoughts of what it could be?

Stumpedmech22, what else is your jeep doing? Is the constant need for manual (your foot) throttle the only problem?

Yes, I have to hold the throttle for it to stay on as soon as I lay off the throttle it shuts off

You may have this figured out by now and not sure this will help but that Jeep needs full voltage for it to stay running. If you jump it due to low or dead battery it will not stay running until it has full voltage even when at low idle. Put a new battery in it. Also check if your alternator is putting out 13.8v at idle. The other thing that may happen as mentioned on an earlier thread is that if you lock it using the key fob and the battery goes dead before you try it again it will still think the security system is set even when you charge or install a new battery. You will have to have the battery at full charge (or new) and then use the key fob to lock the car and re-open it. then it will stay running. (This is a separate issue form your problem because if it does this it will not stay running even with foot on the pedal because it is a security shutdown.) Hope you got it fixed by now anyway.

I have a 03 jeep grand Cherokee Laredo started acting up an running bad like a miss or bad fuel. Computer said rear o2 sensor bank 1 sensor 2. Fixed that and no good. Then the computer said bad throttle position sensor. Fixed that no good. I noticed a bad hissing sound under the hood at the throttle body so I looked and looked it was coming right out of the throttle body not a bad vacuum hose just to let ya no. So I changed the idle air control sensor course that's where the hissing was coming from. And once again no good. I have my fuel tank tied up because they didn't put gas tank straps on it and when the gas tank gaurd rusted through the tank fell out ha ha. So when I got it to start and it was hissing and misfiring I went to the tank and made sure the tank was level the hissing stopped at the throttle body and it sounded OK for about 5 min or so and went back to hissing so I turned it off and was going to start with changing the fuel filter/regulated. So I went to press the fuel rail button to let off the gas pressure and nothing came out hmmmm. So what do ya think bad pump or reg and filter? Either way I'm going to change the cheaper one first then the other if that don't work. Has anyone had this problem yet? The hissing I mean? And no guys it ain't a dam vacuum leak. It is coming from the hole in the top of throttle body by the idle air control sensor

Idle air control valve. Went to oreillys and had them put a scanner on my 96 grand cherokee (check engine light was on) It ran fine and the light went off after awhile. But now my jeep wont start so im guessing it is the idle air control valve, i mean you can drive for awhile but once it goes out it needs replaced or your jeep will start but not stay running. Hope this helps future jeepers!

I have a 96. Had a bad plug, changed plug and wires. Occasionally had a chug when accelerating on the highway. Changed fuel filter. When trying to start it was making a weird noise, not starter. Tightened cables, started. Got battery tested, it was bad but everything else tested good. No codes. Replaced battery. Ran great with a chug once. Now it was trying to start, it was chugging like it was out of timing but stayed running for a minute with foot on gas. Then died and won't restart. I am totally clueless. Suggestions?

Also, my coolant sensor is bad too but thats not an issue.

Cindy, might be your TPS (throttle position sensor) when this goes bad it doesn't through out codes for it but your computer will start guessing it's a bad O2 sensor somewhere so all of those will come up. So if you are driving along and try to come to a stop and the engine wants to stall and bogs down or if you try to accelerate after stopping and it feels like your jeep is stuck in 3rd gear it's the TPS. They go bad from heat. Check the TPS out. Hope it helps.

*throw

Cindy - also (it's hard without seeing your jeep lol) From your statement: Then died and won't restart. If changing the TPS doesn't wok it may be, I hope not for you, the crank/knock sensor. The TPS is about $15 and uses a torque screw. But be warned, once you start loosening the screw the TPS will start falling apart so you will have to change it. Marie - junk that thing and run away screaming!!!! Do it now! Sorry, don't mess around with leveling gas tanks and fuel lines, the smallest amount of gas coming out of a line or the tank and you could be driving a ball of fire. Sorry dude. If you still want to mess with it because you have OCD or something else wrong with you, it is probably a bad fuel pump or blockage in a fuel pump from working on the gas tank, those things corrode inside either way, junk the thing and run away screaming!

Thank you Nicetry0110 Was told it could be the EGR Valve sticking. Did get to start again and is great once it warms up but can hear a little stutter when I press on gas

I have a 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo I went through four brand new rebuild I guess you call it cool packs where my Jeep will not start up when bought one from O'Reilly put it in and my Jeep crank right up so it could be the coil pack

I'm sorry but what is a (fob)

Lots of comments above so not sure where you got that but if you are referring to a comment I made referring to a "key fob" I would have meant the electronic device you hold in your hand and press the button to lock the doors and set the alarm or open the door and disarm the alarm. a.k.a. keyless entry device. Hope that helps. s

Cindy- did you try replacing the TPS? It's a $15 part if you change it yourself (located behind you throttle body?

Hello I have a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee, my daughter was driving it in a bad rain storm. She parked and then it would not start. Our first thought she ran a puddle to fast wet something that needed to dry. We jumped her and when we took our foot off the gas it stalled. We were able to get the car home and took it over to advance auto parts whom told us that our two year old battery was dead. We could not find the receipt and can not remember where it was purchased to we purchased a new battery. Drove the car around one day with everything fine and today we went to start the truck and it did not want to start but once it did we were back to foot off the gas it died. Suggestions do not want to take it to a garage and get hit with lots of dollars to fix but can not let my young daughter drive a car that could break down. I love my Jeep and need suggestions that I can understand. Help...

Hi, Not sure I can help, sounds different than what I have dealt with. But if you have a voltmeter first thing to check would be what the battery voltage is before you try to start. If the battery is at about 11V or less, I know the earlier models at least, will not stay running without foot on gas pedal. Also if you can get the Jeep running, put the meter across the battery terminals while running and it should read in the vicinity of 13.8 to 14.0 volts. If it does not and the voltage reads lower it may be the alternator has failed or something in the charging circuit. Check the quality and tension on the alternator belt, if it is slipping it may not be charging adequately. It seems strange that it all failed after the rain though that could affect also the battery ground. Good to check the ground, both terminals actually to be sure they are clean and tight (should be if new battery). If there is a bad ground somewhere in the system and it got wet besides that could have messed with the charging or getting full voltage to everywhere including the ignition, starter, etc. Hope something here might help. jp

I have a 2000 jeep Cherokee limited and it will start but sometimes it will stalls out while in park what could be the problem

Knock Sensor. Go to autozone ask to use their free diagnostic reader and plug it into your jeep in the parking lot and take it back in so they can download the info and print out an info sheet for you. Sometimes if the computer doesn't know the exact cause, which happens a lot with sensor malfunctions, tell the tech to print out the findings anyway and work down the list. Then google each to see if you have similar probs to each line item, then u can delete or fix.

Wow so many misleading answers when the solution is really very simple! Just wish i was able to respond 4 years ago! When the battery has been dead for so long the memory on fuel mixture completely wipes, so when you start the car it dies as tick over is too low, for the car to learn the right mixture setting it needs to run for a few minutes so it can trim. So therefore start the car with a little throttle and then hold the throttle enough to keep it form dying, do this for approx 3 to 5 mins then let foot of and you should find the car ticks over without stalling now, the cart will now re learn its mixture over the next 100 miles. The other solutions provided would be if something has been damaged or broken since the car last ran. If the car ran fine before the battery went flat then this is the solution.

Chris, I’m having the same problem with my 2002 Jeep Liberty. Went to auto zone to get my battery checked yesterday, it was only pushing 8v. I bought a new one for $160, put it in and it started, had to keep foot on the gas for a second but then it drove, I went down the road to get gas and drive it around a few miles, I drove for about 15 miles but then when I was about to pull up to my house it died and I had to start it again. I got it pulled into my driveway but when I tried to crank it again it wants to die out. Gonna clean out the throttle body and if that doesn’t work maybe a new idle air control valve. Nothing is pulling up on my obdII reader.. any help would be appreciated

I have 2001 Jeep Cherokee and the signal lights don’t work. Earlier today I found the “FlasherFuse” under the dash, it looked bad so I yanked it. Tried to start the truck and it wouldn’t turn over. I replaced the Fuse and it cranked right up. Later I found out the “FlasherFuse” under the dash. Yanked it. It looks good. Truck will start but dies after 3 seconds. I replaced it and same thing, dies after three seconds, gas or no gas it just dies. I’m sitting in Home Depot parking lot 6:30pm on a Sunday. Tomorrow after work I will find and purchase FlasherFuse under dash and report back... if I remember. Just bought the truck Tuesday. Took a Saturday off to tag and insure it. Flashers are supposed to be a simple problem to fix then get it inspected Monday after work. Aarrggghhh!!!!

Swain Griffin here. Also I must add that I did change the ignition cylinder and the freakin no key light is on. Still sitting here it’s raining. I’m watching YouTube videos before I walk home. Sheesh.

Geeze- not alone- also battery died and wouldn't stay charged- replaced the alternator and battery- starts but won't run without your foot on the pedal. IE won't idle on its own. Will look at the fuel filter but going to try the suggestion above from Wayne.. Mine is a '97 Cherokee. Don't have key fobbed- just regular old fashion key. If I felt comfortable to drive it to a diagnostic- I would- not a fan of driving something that can stall out.

I'm so happy I read these!!!! Battery died in our 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Then once we got it replaced the jeep would start and not stay running. Well we replaced the air filter and added fuel cleaner, nothing. I decided to google and read and am I glad I did. It was the key fab!!!! We used it to lock And then unlock the doors, got in turned the key and presto! !!!!!! Started right up!!! Thank you for allege ideas and help!!!!

My 97 Jeep does this but its related to the manufacturer alarm system and locking system malfunctioning tried to completly disabled the Alarm and I made it worse its starts then cuts off after few seconds there wires and hardware in the drivers door I had to replace there also a few fuses that needed to be replaced related to the horn and alarm and locking system

2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo wont stay on unless I am pressing the gas pedal. My battery never died, I do not have any key or security lights lit, Problem started about a week ago, I had to attempt to started 3 times before it stayed on, it was cold that day. Today it is not as cold, but it will not start at all unless I have the pedal pressed, release the pedal it stalls. Any one know what the problem could be??

Not sure, but check the battery voltage. If the battery is low, (not sure what level but maybe 10 -11v) it will stall. If when you rev it up the alternator produces a higher voltage then it will run, but if the battery is not taking a charge then as soon as you let off the pedal the voltage will drop back and it will stall. Not saying this is it but a possibility. If this is a problem and taking it for a drive charges the battery then it will keep going. But if the battery is not holding a charge then could die again. This can also be a poor connection at the battery or at the alternator. I would recommend having the battery tested if you have not. Then test the alternator if the battery is good. Perhaps the battery is ok but is running down due to poor alternator or connections. Just guessing, I suppose if your battery keeps starting it then it is not run down. But it seems like the computer is not getting the 12v that it needs. It could be a poor ground connection too where the battery has a chassis ground connection, check that. Sorry for no better guess. s

Nobody mentioned the Manifold Air Pressure sensor. My '95 Grand Cherokee wouldn't idle at all and ran terribly when I used my foot to keep it running. Replaced the MAP sensor and everything was fine again. BTW, I recommend using genuine MOPAR parts for anything electrical.

Mine was a bad main Ground wire. The main ground wire (black to fender chasis) was worn and frayed thus not enough juice. It had this symptom of not being able to idle unless I held the gas. I read in another post else that it could be battery related so i changed the battery and it helped but the happened again, intermittently. Turns out the worn ground wire was too sketchy to work consistently because all these idle symptoms disappeared after I changed out that crusty old main ground wire. AND it ran better overall, started up faster, etc.

My 1996 jeep grandcherokee 4.0L would not idle on its own. I had to keep my foot on the gas in order to keep the engine running. Turns out it was starving for air. I took the bad filter out and it idled just fine. Some times we over look the simple things. Good luck.

My jeep Cherokee wont stay running when i come to a slow stop or complete stop it shuts off completey does anyone. Know what else it could be instead of the fuel pump i cant afford 1 right now an i need my jeep to job hunt im depressed i have to work on my own. Jeep none of my friend eill help me an im a girl but i do it

Some of the above posts show things to try. If it is running fine with foot on accelerator I doubt it is fuel pump. Suppose it could be but bad pump should make it run sporadically at any speed. Could be MAP sensor, pretty easy to replace. But ground wire as post above is common problem for older Jeeps. Best. Heb. 4:16; 2 Cor. 7:6 (ask believing Heb. 11:6)

Same problem as most. Jeep starts then dies. Will run under hard acceleration but will not idle. Solution was to unlock and then re lock driver's door (or opposite) with a key. That fixed it but then it occurred once more. Solution to remove both Battery cables from terminals from battery posts clean, and WD40 lightly. replace cables properly (safely) and then repeat key motions, then repeat again with remote opener fob. Thisn re sync'd the electrical part of the alarm system to the key/fob enrty ways. It also made fairly clean and dry battery cable connections clean with a light coating of fine oil and eliminated any chance of scale buildup between the terminals and the cable rings. Worked out for me. Especially remember the part about cleaning and re establishing electrical contact on BOTH battery/cable connections. P.S. If it WAS cranking over but kept dying but quit cranking all together and you can't hear the battery relay so much as rattle even a little bit when you turn the key to re start, then the battery connections are definitely one part of the two part problem but again, for me at least it was a quick and easy and free way to solve the problem.

Sorry GuruLL9BC, The site posted your ID instead of mine. This answer was submitted by seagraves26.

And else, Mine is a 2d owner (bought it from a friend/neighbor) 2006 Grande Cherokee large V8 with power everything

Hello everyone have the same problem my 97 jeep grand cherokee Laredo starting but shuts off wont idle i replaced all sensors and the pcm comes to find out u have to get all resync again

I'm having the same problem with a 94 Cherokee. It runs on starter fluid while trying to give it gas, but if I let off the gas it bogs down and stops. Already replaced battery and fuel filter.

I don’t know if you guys are still having this issue, but you have to keep your foot on the pedal for around 4/5 min to have it relearn the idle. keep it around 1000 rpm and after five or so minutes you can let off of the gas and it should correct itself.

hello , i have a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo V6 4.0 Liter engine, ive replaced the fuel filter & fuel Pump Because everytime id gas up my truck , it would lag a bit when id try and crank it , so id have to slowly tap gas and than it would start up, but it would run a bit rough, for maybe 10 mins and than back normal again, if anyone knows what could be the problem , id greatly appreciate it !! I was thinking about the Fuel Injectors , or replacing the fuel line or fuel relay, but than again im not sure i just want to really know what to buy to get it acting right!!! any info would be great!!! Thanks

Read 100 blogs on 5 sites before buying anything! My 97JGCLar4.0 just stalled for the first time at the gas pump after fueling. Ran with foot on gas pedal but stalled when not. Many blogs refer to 10minute running reset of fuel mixture computations, others have similar problems from bad IAC sensor, or loose PCM pin connector. Homemade clamp for $8 to fix loose PCM connector, IAC blogged from $15-$65. So many sensor and computer issues to look at before spending $1500 replacing random parts only to find cheap design ghosts that surface with age on the mid 90s to early 2000s.