A friend of mine had a cougar that did the exact same thing. It was
actually the ignition switch itself. The tumbler that the key inserts into.
As it sprung back from "start" to "run" it would cut off. After starting
it, I'd let go just enough to disengage the starter. It would run forever,
until you let the key go.

Eric
99 TJ SE
"ElAlumbrado" > wrote in message
...
> I've got a 2000 4-cylinder manual Wrangler. The other day, after stopping
> for a bit in the back-country of Big Bend National Park, we started
> experiencing a problem. The Jeep would start and run normally for roughly
> 3 seconds, then quit as if the ignition were turned off. I checked
> everything I could at the time, including fuses, relays, fuel delivery,
> and airflow. Fuel was near full and oil pressure read normal before the
> engine cut off. Problem is reliably repeatable (meaning I still can't get
> the blasted thing to run for more than 3 seconds). Couldn't find anything
> obviously wrong, which makes me suspect it's an "electronic" problem. Does
> anybody have any ideas what to look for?
>
> After waiting for about 8 hours, the Border Patrol finally found us and
> dispatched a *very* expensive tow truck to haul us back to our RV. With
> the Jeep malfunctioning, we cut our little vacation short, hooked it up to
> the RV and drove home. I'm reluctant to take the Jeep off-road again until
> (1) I know what caused the problem and (2) have a way to fix it (at least
> temporarily) in the field should it happen again.
>
> Thanks for your help,
> Bill
>
>
>