Damn computer.... I was in the process of putting up another answer to this thread and the thing decides to "configure updates" and reboot itself; losing what I started, so now I gotta do it all over again!
Back on topic; Roxy, BACK UP THE TRUCK!!! You come here asking us to help you figure out a problem with your Jeep. Suggestions are offered and you play us for fools, because you don't like our answers. I do not know you, have never seen your Jeep, do not know your mechanic, nor what he's done/whether he knows what he's doing, etc. IDK what engine you have, whether stock or modded,how many miles, or a host of other possibilities that determine whether I solve your problem 1st try.
Parts, how ever new, or expensive, or how recently replaced, can be "defective"; especially these days when we cant even buy American made stuff hardly any more. (I have a post on that subject in the Cherokee section)
But I have another idea as to what your problem is; you wanna hear it, or do you wanna go pouting and shouting??? you did tell me not to post anymore because you did not "like" my 1st suggestion. But I will anyway; what I have to say may actually help somebody ELSE along the way; someone that appreciates the info.
I also have a 97 Wrangler. Stock 4.0/stick. 91K miles. I had a similar problem with it too about 4-5 months ago. This is gonna get LONG, since I will also provide some back ground that helped me find the trouble, something that you should have done too, in your original post.
In my case, I had to park my Wrangler for about 18 months. I was severely hurt, almost lost my right foot, so while I was in a brace, I was under Dr's orders NOT to drive anything with a stick. (yes that did pizz me off; I much prefer sticks over autos) During this time I started my Jeep at least 2X/month, and I did put plenty of STA-BIL in the gas early on when I found out it might sit a while. During the "sitting period" I even drained the tank completely and burned that gas in my Cherokee. I put 5 gallons of fresh in there with more STA BIL in case it had to be moved out of the garage.
Upon getting it back out, I noticed right away that it was hard to start. I couldn't remember for sure but I seem to think it was starting this issue a lil before I got hurt, too.
Along with all new belts, hoses, and tune up parts (maint items it needed anyways) I put a new fuel pump into it, because of the hard start.
I did not replace the whole module but just the pump, since the gas gauge still worked, and just the pump was about 1/3 the cost of the module. (and being on disability as I am, every dollar saved is important)
Well no improvement. So I borrowed a fuel pressure test gauge from a buddy that worked in a dealer (thanks to a suggestion right here on this forum) and found the real problem, in about 10 minutes. A part that would have been included with the pump module assembly was bad. I started the Jeep, ran it long enough for fuel pressure to "max-out" and shut it off. Soon as I did so I lost my pressure in the line. This should hold for at least 10 minutes before starting to bleed down. (now itll hold overnight!) I know since I did the pressure test after and left the gauge hooked up for a while.
I don't know if you know this or not, but there is no inline "fuel filter" in the traditional sense on these. The filter is part of the regulator assembly on top of the tank. Locally, I found this to be a dealer only item, and the price of that,+ the price of the pump that I already put in, would have exceeded the cost of the pump module assembly.
There is a guy on Ebay that sells these regulators for ~$40.
so, the cost of the pump+the cost of the regulator via Ebay, and I solved my problem; and still came out "cheap". while still doing the job right, and w/o cutting any corners. And it was good that I did put the pump in, since I found the strainer floatin--instead of being attached to the pump, as it should have been.
This was the 1st time I had removed the tank, and being that it only had 19K on it when I got it, at only 3 years old.
I doubt the tank had been removed, before the Jeep was mine. I did wind up having to pull the tank a 2nd time to put that filter/regulator in, but so what. (like I said; my own time costs me nothing)
and that regulator/filter? Came in a "white box" with no brand name on it, just a part number and "made in USA" stamped onto it. When I opened it up, I was surprised to find the Chrysler Pentastar and the same part number as the original part stamped on the new piece. Same lettering "font" and all as the original part. so it was a genuine Mopar part even. (the stealership wanted $120-some for this)
So, hold off on bashing suggestions offered on here, or don't ask for any more help. OK? If I don't personally SEE the part as it is being replaced, or do it myself, I don't know what was actually done. and even at that, like I said, even parts that were once new do go bad. Did they change the whole assembly or just the pump itself? see? there may be more info needed to tell you where your problem may be. I spent 18 years turning wrenches for a living. so I definitely know my way around a vehicle!
