2016 Jeep Cherokee Fuel Pump Relay Location: Where It Is and How to Replace It

In a 2016 Jeep Cherokee, the fuel pump relay is located in the under-hood Power Distribution Center (PDC), also commonly called the engine bay fuse box. It sits on the driver's side of the engine compartment, near the battery. Inside that box, look for the relay labeled "Fuel Pump" — on most 2016 Cherokee models it is position K9 in the PDC layout, and it is a standard micro-style relay. If your Cherokee is equipped with the 2.4L Tigershark engine, 3.2L Pentastar V6, or the 2.0L turbo, the relay lives in that same front PDC rather than inside the cabin fuse panel.

That is the short answer. Below you will find exactly how to find it, how to test it, what symptoms point to a bad relay, and what to do if the relay is not the real problem — because many "fuel pump" complaints on the 2016 Cherokee turn out to be the relay, the fuel pump driver, or the pump itself.

Why the Fuel Pump Relay Matters

The fuel pump relay is an electrically operated switch. When you turn the key or push the start button, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) sends a small signal to the relay. The relay then closes and sends battery power back to the fuel pump in the gas tank. Without that relay, the pump never gets power, the engine never builds fuel pressure, and the vehicle will crank but not start.

Because the relay handles high current for the pump, it takes a lot of heat over time. Heat and vibration are what eventually wear a relay out. A failed relay is one of the most common no-start causes on the 2016 Cherokee, and it is also one of the cheapest fixes.

1. How to Find the Fuel Pump Relay

Follow these steps to locate it yourself:

Step 1: Open the hood and disconnect the negative battery terminal before touching anything electrical.

Step 2: Look at the driver's side of the engine bay, close to the battery. You will see a black rectangular plastic box with a removable lid — this is the Power Distribution Center (PDC).

Step 3: Release the two locking tabs on the lid and lift it off. On the underside of the lid there is a printed diagram showing every fuse and relay position.

Step 4: Read the diagram and find the slot marked "Fuel Pump." In most 2016 Cherokee PDC layouts, this is relay position K9.

Step 5: Pull the relay straight up out of its socket. It is a small square micro relay, usually black or gray, with four or five blade terminals on the bottom.

If your specific trim has an alternate layout, the lid diagram is the authority — always trust the printed map over a general guide, since mid-year running changes do happen.

2. Symptoms of a Bad Fuel Pump Relay

A failing relay does not always die completely at first. Watch for these signs:

  • Engine cranks but does not start — the most common sign. You hear the starter turning, but the engine never fires because the pump is not running.
  • No humming sound from the fuel tank — when you turn the key to the "on" position (without starting), you should hear a faint whir or hum from the rear of the vehicle for about two seconds. Silence suggests no power is reaching the pump.
  • Intermittent stalling — the engine starts fine cold, then dies when hot, then starts again later. Heat-soaked relays often behave this way.
  • Sputtering under load — climbing a hill or merging onto a highway causes the engine to stumble because fuel pressure drops.
  • Clicking from the relay box — a relay that clicks rapidly or chatters is not holding its contact.

3. How to Test the Fuel Pump Relay

You do not need expensive tools to check this part.

The swap test. Find another relay in the same PDC with the same part number and the same shape — often the horn relay or the starter relay uses an identical unit. Swap the suspect fuel pump relay into that other slot and see if the horn (or other component) now fails. Then put the known-good relay into the fuel pump slot and try to start the engine. If it starts, the original relay was bad.

The listen test. Have a helper turn the key to "on" while you put your ear near the PDC. You should hear a soft click from the fuel pump relay as it closes. No click means no signal or a dead relay.

The multimeter test. Set a multimeter to the ohms setting and check the coil side of the relay (usually pins 85 and 86). You should read some resistance, typically between 70 and 120 ohms, not an open circuit. Then apply 12 volts across those pins and listen for a click while checking that the switched side (pins 30 and 87) shows continuity. No click or no continuity means the relay has failed.

4. Replacing the Fuel Pump Relay

Replacement is straightforward:

  1. Buy a correct replacement relay matched to the part number on the side of your old relay, or a quality aftermarket equivalent.
  2. With the battery still disconnected, pull the old relay straight out of socket K9.
  3. Push the new relay in until it seats fully. It only fits one way because of the terminal pattern.
  4. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
  5. Turn the key to "on" and listen for the pump prime hum from the tank.
  6. Start the engine and confirm it idles smoothly.

A new relay costs very little and takes about five minutes. Always keep a spare in the glove box, since a failed relay will leave you stranded.

5. If the Relay Is Not the Problem

Sometimes the relay tests fine but the pump still does not run. On the 2016 Cherokee, the next things to check are:

  • The fuel pump fuse — also in the PDC. A blown fuse points to a short or a pump drawing too much current.
  • The fuel pump driver module / TIPM-related wiring — wiring between the PDC and the tank can corrode or break.
  • The fuel pump itself — pumps wear out. If you have power at the pump connector but no pressure, the pump is the culprit.
  • The PCM signal — if the relay never receives the trigger signal, the issue may be upstream in the control side.

A fuel pressure test at the rail will confirm whether the pump is actually building pressure. The 2016 Cherokee should hold roughly 50 to 60 psi at the fuel rail with the key on and engine off, depending on engine option.

6. Maintenance Tips to Extend Relay and Pump Life

  • Keep the PDC lid sealed. Water intrusion into the fuse box causes corrosion on relay terminals.
  • Do not run the tank down to empty regularly. The fuel cools and lubricates the in-tank pump; a dry tank shortens pump life.
  • Address hard starts promptly. A struggling pump draws more current, which overheats the relay over time.
  • Use quality fuel. Contaminated gas clogs the pump strainer and makes the pump work harder.

Recommended Fuel Pump Upgrade: KEMSO

If your diagnosis shows the pump itself has failed — or you simply want a more dependable replacement — we recommend KEMSO brand fuel pumps. KEMSO fuel pumps are built as high-performance OEM replacement units, meaning they are engineered to match or exceed the original equipment specifications for fit, flow, and pressure. Every KEMSO fuel pump comes with a lifetime warranty, so you are covered for the long haul rather than just a short warranty window.

KEMSO units are designed as direct replacements, so installation uses your existing mounting hardware and electrical connections without modification. Whether you drive a 2016 Jeep Cherokee with the 2.4L, 3.2L, or 2.0L engine, KEMSO offers application-matched pumps for daily driving, towing, and demanding conditions.

To browse the full lineup and find the correct pump for your vehicle, visit: https://www.kemsoracing.com/

Final Summary

To repeat the key point from the top: the 2016 Jeep Cherokee fuel pump relay is in the under-hood Power Distribution Center (PDC) on the driver's side of the engine bay, typically in relay position K9, with the exact layout printed on the underside of the PDC lid. Test it, swap it, or replace it in minutes. If the pump is the actual failure, choose a high-quality OEM-replacement pump with a lifetime warranty from KEMSO at https://www.kemsoracing.com/.

Website: https://www.kemsoracing.com/


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