jeep93

Hi Guys - checked the threads quickly and couldnt find what I was looking for. My question is - is it possible to simply bypass the Neutral safety switch?. If so, how? (not suprisingly the haines service manual does not cover this!). If I did this, would I have to re-route the grounds for the starter motor and reverse lights?. My NSS is on its way out, and Ive found it such a pain in the neck that Im seriously considering just bypassing it (if possible) rather than replacing the little bugger.. my logic being, no switch, no future problems!. Im new to jeeps and DIY mechanical stuff in general.. what little I know has come from the internet and tinkering about, so any and all advice will be greatly appreciated. BTW, my jeep is a 1993 xj Limited 4.0.

OverlandZJ

Most NSS can simply be cleaned and brought back to service. I'd go that route first..

http://jeepin.com/features/nss

ol"blue

You can clean/rebuild it or go to the bottom of this link for a tip on by-passing the switch. http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoNSSrebuild.htm
And Welcome to CF!
Dan

jeep93

Thank you very much for the links guys! - Ive printed the info off and will get to work under the jeep tonight... will post an update tomorrow.

lurk520

I went through the trouble of removing my NSS, but I couldn't clean mine because the screws that hold it together are so corroded with rust that the heads just snapped right off. So I either have to buy a new one (which is over $100), or get one from a bone yard that I can clean.

ol"blue

Maybe you'll get lucky at the JY. Look for one that's not too funky looking from a decent looking Jeep.

lurk520

yeah I bought my XJ about 6 months ago. Very clean interior and body. Then later I found out it's from Buffalo NY (a nice lesson for me). It does have an undercoat but there's only so much that can protect. At least it runs good though!

Dugualla

A guy I knew bypassed his NSS on an old buick or olds, standard transmission, kid turned the key and the car moved forward with the starter and hit another car he was working on. The first car didn't start, but the starter had enough torque to cause some damage. No one was hurt but I would caution against permanently removing the switch, you never know. Temporarily is one thing, especially if you are the only one using it but permanently is asking for trouble.

jeep93

Just an update - thanx guys for your advice and info, especially ol'blue and overland for those links. Took a while to get it loose - dont think its ever been off. NSS was a filthy rusted oxidised mess but suprisingly came off in one piece, eventually. Stripped it down and spent about 2 hours with emery paper, a soft wire brush and a load of wd40 cleaning it up. Reinstalled and it works perfectly - all faults gone.. Problems started a few weeks back when my reversing lights stopped working. Wasnt too bothered when it was just the lights, but the other day I tried to start her up and got nothing - dead key. Selected neutral and she fired up no problems. Switched the engine off, selected park, and got dead key again. Kept the key turned and wiggled the gear shift in park position and she started up fine.. figured the NSS was to blame, but the I was having trouble finding specific cherokee xj nss info online, so like I said thanx for the help guys!. Ive added a couple of pics of what I found - hope theyre clear.. im no photographer!.

ol"blue

Glad you got it fixed, and thanks for posting the up-date. It better than leaving a thread hanging with no known results for others to see.