What does this mean when the jeep cranks but doesn't start

keyon .off 5 times then start.
or crank for 5 seconds.
this will prime it
some cars dont prime with key on trick. only cranked.

No cranks is here
https://www.jeepdied.com/no-crank.html
TURNS OVER MEANS ZERO.
the starter just CRANK.
THE START MOTOR TURNS
IF lucky so does the crank shaft turn.
then the engine starts and runs, (this is not turns)
it's running
the EFI then sustains running , if ABS stays happy.
the engine can also stall.

this is a NO CRANK issues, cars dont (A/T) dont start unless they crank.
try jumper start, off another car, (good cranking NOW means battery weak)
cable jump.
work now?
charge your cars battery>?
wiggle the shifter while cranking, does it starter wake up? bingo.
or shift to Neutral, (trick2) Does it crank now? BINGO 2.

If the check engine light does NOT come on when cranking at the times when it won't start, then your ECU is in need of repair. The engine will only start after the check engine light comes on and the ecu is what controls that. It's likely going bad, causing the delayed start problem typical of early 90's jeeps. Repair or replacement services for your jeep ECU are available on ebay.

when you state it wouldn't crank, do you mean the starter won't engage or that it just spins over and doesn't start? if no gauges or no starter engagement, then check the battery, battery connections,and the starter for excessive amperage draw. if the starter spins and the engine won't start, then check crankshaft position sensor first. the crank sensor is a more common failure than the distributor or any of the other things you mentioned.

sorry turns over means ZERO
the crank shaft can spin or not
the starter can in fact spin and crankshaft not.
and some think turns over means, engine runs. now that fact makes turns over, a dead statement.

the word is cranks over, the engine cranks over robustlyl
and then the engine runs.
then runs for more that 3 seconds, and the ASD relay holds. (step by step his works like this ,93 to now)

wont crank ? (clear statement in fact)
cranks ok, (crank shaft spins fast) can be seen and heard.
runs for 3 seconds? and stalls (ASD relay drop out) can be seen.
runs for 5min and stalls. (complex)
runs for hours and stalls. (even more complex)
all are key facts to the solution.

tell more..... tell all it does good bad or ugly
for better suggestions!

Yellow means weak spark should be blue check the coil tower where the coil wire attaches on the coil for corrosion. Also check the spark plugs for wear.

Fix your car right away by clicking the link I attached 2001 Jeep Wrangler

Your starter is bad.

Looking at a possible crank sensor or coil.