How to Change the Fuel Pump in a 1997 Jeep Cherokee

The 1997 Jeep Cherokee was equipped with a 2.5-liter inline-four cylinder or 4.0-liter inline-six cylinder engine. Both engines use multipoint fuel injection systems with individual injectors for each cylinder mounted in the intake manifold. The fuel pump is attached to the fuel sending unit located in the fuel tank. The pump can be removed from the sending unit. The fuel pump-sending assembly can be removed without removing the fuel tank.

Instructions

Removal

1

Park the Cherokee on a level, paved surface and set the parking brake.

2

Relieve the fuel system pressure by removing the fuel pump relay from the power distribution center fuse block which is located just to the rear of the battery. The location of the fuel pump relay is indicated on a diagram on the inside of the PDC cover.

3

Start the engine and allow it to run until it dies. Turn the engine over for a few seconds to ensure that the pressure is relieved. Plug the relay back in. Open the fuel filler cap.

4

Disconnect the negative battery cable with a ratchet and socket.

5

Place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels. Raise the rear of the Cherokee with a jack and support with jack stands.

6

Move to the fuel tank and locate the pump-sending unit. It is in the upper-middle of the fuel tank. Disconnect the electrical connector from the wiring harness.

7

Wrap a piece of masking tape around each fuel line and label them with a marker for reassembly. Loosen the hose clamps with a flathead screwdriver. Remove the fuel lines.

8

Loosen the lock ring that holds the pump-sending unit in the tank. Tap the ring with a brass punch -- do not use a steel punch because it might strike a spark -- and hammer in a counterclockwise direction. Remove the lock ring.

9

Remove the pump-sending unit from the tank. Remove the rubber O-ring from the tank and discard it.

10

Pull the fuel strainer from the bottom of the fuel pump. Disconnect the electrical connector from the pump.

11

Loosen the clamp on the fuel line at the pump with the flathead screwdriver. Pull the line from the pump.

12

Remove the nut from the top fuel pump bracket with a ratchet and socket. Pull the pump and bracket from the sending unit and lift the pump out of the bottom bracket.

Installation

13

Slide the top bracket over the top of the pump. Insert the bottom of the pump in the bottom bracket while sliding the stud in the top bracket into the hole in the side of the sending unit. Install and tighten the nut.

14

Push a new fuel strainer onto the bottom of the pump. Push the fuel line onto the pump and tighten the clamp.

15

Mount a new O-ring on the fuel tank. Slide the pump-sending unit into the tank. Slide the lock ring over the top of the pump-sending unit and rotate it clockwise. Use the hammer and punch to rotate and lock the ring.

16

Install the fuel lines and tighten the clamps. Reconnect the electrical connector. Raise the Cherokee, remove the jack stands and lower it to the ground.

17

Turn the key to the On position for about 10 seconds, then start the engine and check for leaks.