Questions and Answers

Hard Starting Jeep Grand Cherokee Q. Dear Vincent, Hi there. I am so glad that you take e-mails and take time to answer them. You must love your work very much and I appreciate that. This is my problem. I recently, three weeks ago) purchased a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo from a local dealership It's 4X4, it has a 4.0 liter V-6 engine and has 73,000 miles on it at the moment.

When we try and start it, it takes forever to start. It seems like there is nothing there. The spark plugs look brand new in it and recently changed by the looks of them. I wait for the lights and the air bag lights go off before I start it.

Is this good because I was told that doing this makes the bags work better. I don't know if the people before me who owned the car did wait to start it. Does this matter? Also after a while and you start it it's fine it's just that initial time like the first time we start it during the day.

Also is it normal for the car to hiss when we turn the engine off. It's a sound kind of like steam being let out? I really do appreciate you helping me here.

Sincerely,
Richard

A. A general rule of thumb is that if it is good or helpful to the vehicle, it would already be on the vehicle or in the owners manual. The amount of time you leave the key on makes no never mind to the air bags. In fact, waiting for the lights on the dash to go off may be contributing to the long cranking time. Try not waiting. Turn the key right to the start position and I think you'll find it starts up much quicker.

When you turn the key on the fuel pump will run for three or four seconds. If the computer doesn't see the engine is running, it will shut the fuel pump off. So by waiting the computer will have to decide if the engine is trying to start and turn the fuel pump back on.

Hissing is more or less normal. There are a bunch of vacuum operated components under the hood and the hissing is a result of them venting to atmosphere.