If your Jeep Cherokee has stopped running or will not start and you feel that the fuel pump has failed, then there are ways of checking and resetting the pump before attempting a tricky replacement. Do not be fooled into checking for a fuel cut off reset switch, as the 1996 Jeep Cherokee does not have one. To reset the fuel pump is a manual process done through the various power phases listed in the following steps.
Remove the fuel cap and listen closely for the fuel pump to come on as a someone turns on the ignition key. The pump runs for only 2 seconds at a time when the engine is not running.
Turn on the key for 3 seconds and off for 5 seconds and on again a couple of times. If the pump cannot be heard, then replace the cap.
Shut off your Jeep. Open the bonnet and check the fuse to the fuel pump. The Fuse box is located in the engine bay.
Open the fuse box and read the list on the inside cover. This will help you locate the fuel pump fuse.
Pull the fuse out and look at the silver wire inside. If there is a melted or broken wire then find a new fuse that has the same rating as the one you removed. Verify this against the fuse box cover or the fuse itself.
Put the new fuse in and click it into place.
Remove the relay and using the Circuit Tester, test the terminals that it was plugged into for power with the key off. There should be one terminal with power. If not, there is a bad wire under the fuse block to the battery; it should have constant power at one terminal. If there is power then replace the relay and the unit should work.
