2000 Jeep Cherokee Jeep is starting hard then stalls

JDAVIS0628

MEMBER
2000 JEEP CHEROKEE
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
166,500 MILES

I have a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Classic with 166,000 miles on it. I have been driving it around for the last two months with no problems at all. Today I went to get the oil changed. After the garage changed they started it up and pulled around to the front door and shut it off. I got in and started it right up, however didn't get far as the engine stalled. When I tried to restart it the engine would really strain to turn over and act like it was flooded. When it did start it would only idle for about two seconds and then stall again. The Battery is new. The garage thinks their is something going on with the anti theft system. Can you please help me. I just spent $2000.00 For new front and rear brakes, new ball joints, four tires a steering stablizer, shocks and other misc.

5 Replies

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

What sounds suspicious is the fact it happened after the oil change, Have you checked the oil? It wouldn't be the first time a shop forgot to put the oil in!

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Saturday, June 19th, 2010 AT 6:49 PM

JDAVIS0628

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3 POSTS

Yes the oil was checked in the parking lot right after it stalled. I did see it with my own eyes.

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Saturday, June 19th, 2010 AT 6:57 PM

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

Is your check engine light on? If yes turn the key from off to on three times, on the fourth one leave it in the on position, count the flasshes.22 would flash as 2 blinks, then a short puase, then 2 more blinks. If several codes are stored, the pause is longer between codes, code 55 will be the last code. Do this and post all codes found.
Could be idle air control, or stuck EGR.

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Saturday, June 19th, 2010 AT 7:49 PM

JDAVIS0628

MEMBER
3 POSTS

There were no codes stored. The engine would turn over very slowly like it was draging and try to fire like it was flooded, then after a few more tries the engine would turn over normally and start but only run for a second or two with no response from gas pedal. When they pushed it back into the garage where they had just changed the oil and filter the starter would just click. The garage had put it on the charger just before I left. I called them later on and they said they thought something was going on with the anti-theft system. The jeep does have an anti-theft feature that will shut down the engine after a couple of seconds to prevent theft as well as a key security system of some sort. There is a way to program new keys in the manual.

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Saturday, June 19th, 2010 AT 8:35 PM

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

Slow cranking is not s sign of the skis system, It's a sign of a low battery, or timing chain problem(too far advanced). Check timing and battery and go from there.