My 94 Jeep Wrangler has an electrical starting problem. When you first get in and turn the key the jeep will turn over but never start. If you leave the key in the on postion after a few min. (sometimes 1 sometimes 10) you will hear a bunch of clicking in the relay box by the battery, then the clicking stops. Also then the check engine light will come on. Then when you crank it over it will start. If you run the jeep for a while (take it for a spin) then shut it off have a beer or two then try to start it. It fires right up. BUT if sits over night or for long periods of time the problem starts all over again. I have bought and replaced the relays in the relay boxs thinking they may be bad not the case. Any ideas?

Have you checked the fuel lines?

I'm not very familiar with the year, but could the fuel pump be what is making the clicking?

Sounds non-electrical to me.

-Ron <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

When you first turn the key ON, the checkk engine light should come on, then go out. This lets you know the ECM is getting power and the bulb is ok. You should also be able to hear the fuel pump come on for a couple of seconds then stop. This is normal. If the check engine light doesn't come on as soon as you turn on the ignition, that is an important clue.
I've never left the key in the on position for very long but the clicking noise doesn't sound normal to me. It sounds possible you have a bad connection somewhere, possibly a bad ignition switch. Have you checked for stored trouble codes?

Thanks for checking out my problem.
When I leave the key in the on postion I will
hear the clicking from the relay box after a period of time then the check engine light will come on.
So the ECM must not be getting all the inputs it needs. I have never checked codes before. Would I need a scan tool?
OR do you read them from counting flash dash lights
after a sequence is entered? If I need a scan tool I
can call in a favor and get a hold of one.

Thanks
Max

A scan tool is preferred but you can count check engine light flashes as well. Turn the key ON, OFF, ON, OFF, ON then watch the CE light. Common codes to expect to see are 12 (one flash followed by pause followed by two flashes) that means battery has been disconnected within last 50 starts. The two digit codes are separated by a two or three second pause then the next code will come up. If you don't have AC you can expect to see 33 (open or shorted AC relay circuit). The end of sequence is code 55 (that's all folks!) At the very least you should see 55. If you don't either you didn't turn the key in the right sequence or the ECM is faulty. By all means get the scanner if you can, it will (usually) tell you the code as well as what it means, you can also monitor many engine functions/parameters while it is running. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

JeePete you know your stuff.

I did the on off on off on method.
I got code 12 33 and 55 thats all.
But I could not read the codes until
after I got the Jeep started and then
shut it back off. Before that I got
no fuel pump noise or check engine.

So there must be no power going to the ECM until
after the delay. Do you think it may be the ignition
switch? But why does it work fine after the first start.
I would think if it was the switch it would be a more constant problem.

Again thanks for the help.
Max

Sounds like it could be the ignition switch. They are relitively cheap ($8.99 @ Autozone)and easy to change, In case you didn't know it's not where you put the key, it's on the lower column and actuated by a rod. If you were near here, I have a ECM you could borrow for test purposes. Intermittent electrical problems do weird things. Your problem sure sounds like a bad connection somewhere. Have you checked all the main terminals you can get to uner the hood? I would unplug all the connectors I could find and check for dirt or corrosion, including the ECM. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />