Mine went at 38,000 miles, seems to be a commonly replaced part.
Sensor failure is often heat related , when crank sensors first start to go out they often have an intermittent failure when the engine is at full operating temperature. You are cooling the sensor with water.
You only need to change it if it has failed. There is no other reason.
When the computer throws the code that you need to change the sensor.
Has just the sensor been replaced or the plastic drive gear in the trans as well The drive gear often wears uneven causing the speedo to go inop
It has to do with the transmission. More often than not it's the pressure sensor #4 that needs to be replaced (~ $250 parts and labor) and not the entire transmission. Make sure it's the #4 sensor and not #3 sensor that needs to be replaced - even the pros at the dealerships make this mistake.
if after replacing fuel pump and still not getting power to the pump, check the crank sensor, this may have gone bad and quite often can be the problem.
You'll need to take the harmonic balancer off and remove the timing cover to see it. Often you need to remove the timing belt to get it out.
Check the backpressure on your exhaust system. Often, when the catalytic converter fails it can produce this symptom. A local muffler shop may do the check for you for free.
Often the MAF sensor needs replacing, or possibly the coil packs, leads, spark plugs, K40 relay board (re-solder or replace), oil contaminated wiring, O2 sensor or crank angle sensor, disintegrated vacuum hoses, loose hoses, other.
I had this problem repaired today on my 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. The signs I had were: 1. Jeep was running fine, Parked it in the garage. 2. The next morning it would crank fine but would not start at all. - As my fuel was low at the time I assumed I was out of fuel but after filling it that proved not to be the problem. - In the years I have had the jeep it often takes two attempts to start the vehicle. That symptom seemed to come and go and I cannot directly attribute that to the Crank sensor problem but, it may be of use as background information.
Normally the fuel pump or the crank position sensor on this year. The quickest fix would be the crank sensor at a cost of around $50. 2 bolts hold it on to the bell housing. Make sure you take it with you when you buy the new one. The parts house often gives you the wrong one for the 96. If it doesn't look the same, ask them for a 97 model or go to the dealer and get it.
They are replaced when they go bad.