Help - Jeep Won't Start

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

kmacht

New Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2011
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Location
Connecticut
I need some help. I have a 2002 Jeep Liberty Sport with the 3.7 and about 150,000 miles. I was pulling my project truck into the garage using the jeeps hitch tonight. Everything was going fine and the jeep was running good during the day. At one point when moving the truck I shut the jeep off to adjust the tow strap. When I went to re-start it it wouldn't start. The jeep cranks and cranks and will only start if I floor the gas pedal. When it does start it sounds like it is seriously missing and the exhaust has a very strong gas smell to it. If I let off the gas and let it drop below about 2000 rpm the engine sputters and dies. I tried doing the error code self check by turning the ignition switch on and off three times but no codes showed and the check engine light isn't on when I do get it to run. I also checked the battery since I have had electrical gremlins start showing themselves with low voltage. It was at 12.5 volts. Just to make sure I also swapped out the battery with my wifes car. It started and ran the same crappy way. At this point I am stumped. I thought maybe fuel pump or fuel filter but if that was the case it wouldn't run at high rpms and I wouldn't have a gas smell. It is almost like the timing is off. I'm thinking maybe a sensor of some sort but am confused since I thought it would throw an error code with a bad sensor. I'm looking for suggestions on what to try next. Any ideas?

Keith
 
Last edited:

Billwill

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 26, 2009
Messages
2,193
Reaction score
668
Location
White River, South Africa
I need some help. I have a 2002 Jeep Liberty Sport with the 3.7 and about 150,000 miles. I was pulling my project truck into the garage using the jeeps hitch tonight. Everything was going fine and the jeep was running good during the day. At one point when moving the truck I shut the jeep off to adjust the tow strap. When I went to re-start it it wouldn't start. The jeep cranks and cranks and will only start if I floor the gas pedal. When it does start it sounds like it is seriously missing and the exhaust has a very strong gas smell to it. If I let off the gas and let it drop below about 2000 rpm the engine sputters and dies. I tried doing the error code self check by turning the ignition switch on and off three times but no codes showed and the check engine light isn't on when I do get it to run. I also checked the battery since I have had electrical gremlins start showing themselves with low voltage. It was at 12.5 volts. Just to make sure I also swapped out the battery with my wifes car. It started and ran the same crappy way. At this point I am stumped. I thought maybe fuel pump or fuel filter but if that was the case it wouldn't run at high rpms and I wouldn't have a gas smell. It is almost like the timing is off. I'm thinking maybe a sensor of some sort but am confused since I thought it would throw an error code with a bad sensor. I'm looking for suggestions on what to try next. Any ideas?

Keith

To get the codes you have to turn the ignition key On/Off/On four times rapidly. Bear in mind that using this method often the last two digits are transposed so eg. a code read out as P1512 may be correct but it may also actually be P1521.
 

Bikeflyer

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2009
Messages
126
Reaction score
19
Location
Strasburg, PA
Sounds to me like a throttle position sensor or something in that vicinity. That would control the mixture management and low end throttle stability. In any event it sounds like electrical. Ran good then not good in one cycle sounds electrical.
 

Latest posts

Members online

Top