Slow start, short story

[boganst]

I have a new to me 2001 TJ 2.5. It has been driving fine for the past 2 months then suddenly I had trouble starting it. Got stuck in a few parking lots but ended up firing up to get me home. Then one day it did not and rode the tow truck of shame.

I thought it was the fuel pump because the battery and connectors are all new and the starter was cranking hard trying to start the jeep. Figured it was not getting fuel. I got a new pump and hooked it up dry and it did not turn on. I started checking relays and they all seemed fine. Then I found the harnesses at the firewall were not plugged all the way in to snap in the red clip, so I did that, plugged back in the old pump, and boom... it started.

However the start was very slow. Different from before. Like a dead battery on its last leg. I drove it around a bit and left it on a trickle charge over night. Same slow start the next morning. Connected it to a car for a jump and same slow start. I rebuilt the starter and same slow start. Swapped out a new starter and same slow start. Good news is it is starting again. Bad news it is a untrusting start.

The starter was filled with oil and debris and the inside of the fly wheel housing is also dirty. Flywheel seemed fine. Think the flywheel looked fine given it is 20+ years old. Didn't find too much but oil and gunk when I felt around the bottom.

I am planning on getting the battery, alternator, and starter checked out at a parts store. Trying to borrow a fuel pressure tester as well. Wondering if anybody has any other ideas given the situation. Thanks!

 

[boganst]

And just as I posted this, went out and it did it's slow start... drove around a bit then back to the house. Turned it off. Tried to start again and the cranking was even slower and not start. Could I have ruined my battery trying to start it so many times these past few days?

 

[TJ Jim]

Those are some really crappy terminals. Install these and crimp some quality terminals on those ragged ends.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LLWKXV6?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[bucky]

Jump directly to the starter to eliminate faulty cables.

 

[5TTTj]

I agree you need new terminals at the least, but if you're in a jamb at the least turn those little plates over on the terminals so the dimples are facing down and clamping better on the cables. Just a little trick i was shown years ago.

 

[LJ - Nik]

Could it be your spark plugs?

 

[DuckNut]

While you are changing the terminals, change the cables as well. Buy the premade ones in the correct length. O'Reilly's has the best selection.

 

[boganst]

While you are changing the terminals, change the cables as well. Buy the premade ones in the correct length. O'Reilly's has the best selection.

And just as I posted this, went out and it did it's slow start... drove around a bit then back to the house. Turned it off. Tried to start again and the cranking was even slower and not start. Could I have ruined my battery trying to start it so many times these past few days?

UPDATE: I took the advice here and switched out my terminals. That along with some cleaning of my cables and tightening of some bolts fixed the problem. Thanks all who took some time to suggest a solution.

 

[boganst]

So it ended up being a failing fuel pump... or maybe just the wire connector near the pump. Got the new pump and lowered the gas tank. Went to disconnect the wire connectors so I could fully lower it and realized the clip was busted. There is a chance, a dumb good chance, that that connection had become lose or was coming loose causing me to have the intermittent problems described above. However, I already had the part and the gas tank on the ground so I just went ahead and swapped it out. I wrapped the wire connector with electrical tape for now. Starts and drives fine for the past few months.

Oddly enough, in Moab a month ago a buddy's jeep died... could not get it started after a day of driving around. I mentioned the connector and that fixed his problem. Increased the chance that was also my problem but I am still going with fuel pump. Helps me sleep at night. Thanks all for the suggestions and advice!!