When it is cold or damp outside my 94 jeep grand cherokee has a really hard time starting. starter is working but it takes many cranks to start. when it does start running it runs rough for a few minutes..." like a cat is caught in the fan belt"... shakes badly but after it warms up it runs fine and starts right up after shut off. what could this be? i have changed a number of sensors.

1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Service Repair Manual INSTANT DOWNLOAD

get your car fix right now

DOES IT CRANK in NEUTRAL? using fresh PRNDL contacts?
no crank, is easy to diagnose. with just one tool a voltmeter.
12.6vdc is a charged battery , rested, if lower, and not cold its discharged. so charge it or jumper cable crank engine off running donor car. easy huh?
if it cant crank it cant start, (mine can push start or gravity start)
battery cable lugs clean and tight x4 ends? green corrosion?

we then hot wire. the starter solenoid, next. (using old screwdriver as jumper bar)
it cranks now (good starter ) all in 5min work !
it does not crank bad starter.

so it cranks hot wired. good.
so next what is next, easy the KEY line.
the key line runs form the starter to the PRNDL switch and then the KEY switch (crank Start line)
if the car has SKIM immobilizer it cuts fuel not spark.

so i check for 12vdc into PRNDL cranking then key is ok.
if got 12vdc in to PRNLD but not out cranking the switch is bad.
or maladjusted?
its that simple ,with any 10buck DMM off walfarts shelf.

if car is hacked or alarms spliced in, we cant fix it here, its not stock.
same with remote start hack jobs.

It may be that it is not getting a hot enough spark. Check the CCA (cold cranking amps) rating on your battery. If it's 650 or below, that may be your issue, a cold battery has less power. Try upgrading to a battery with more CCA like 750 CCA or above. Or if your vehicle is garage or carport kept, simply buy an extension cord and a heating blanket, really! Just open your hood and drape it over the "cold" engine at night...Worked for me with my old Datsun 280Z.

Does it crank at all? If not, its a bad starter motor. It will only work when cold. The starter heats up and stops working. Let it sit for an hour and works again.

Get rid this vehicle to some pond and buy a new one.

sounds like starter crank sensor will turn over but will not start

It could be the security system or maybe a crank sensor.

where is click comming from..clean battery terminals and also check all wires to starter to make sure not loose when in fail mode have someone hold key in crank mode and take hammer and tap hard on starter if it starts replace starter.. if not get back with me

HI. I THINK IYS TIME TO GE A SCAN TOOL PUT ON IT. JIMBO

Try cycleing ur key a few times before actually cranking it alot of the time wen a fuel pump is about to go it wont prime cycling the key will prime it. As for the fuel gauge thats part of the fuel pump its called a sending unit and in the jeeps its all in one unit. it sounds like your fuel pump is about to go tho. i had the same problem with my 93 jeep grand cherokee laredo. i replaced the fuel pump and it runs fine now u can get it from your local autozone for about 140. hope this helps let me know