Steelersgurl19

I have a 97 jeep grand cherokee with a huge problem. I've taken it to shops and spent a lot of money trying to fix it but they always tell me my car is in great shape and nothing is wrong.
The problem: it dies on me and has problems starting.
In the last 2 years I've had the battery, the cables, the terminals, the starter, as well as brakes keeping up to date on oil changes, new spark plugs, fuses, and a kill switch put on.
First it just had problems if I didn't drive it for more than about 24 hours if it was cold then less than that. So I put a kill switch on and it fixed it.
I then had to replace the starter -still had issues had 3 different electrical testings done by 3 different places-same results.
It then died again and had to replace the battery again and my ac/defrost went out they told me it was the ac clutch jamming up and killing my battery-heat works fine but they told me if i didn't want to spend 1500 fixing it then just not use it -so I haven't.
Now it has died twice in the last month - all lights and power switches work lights are bright not dim and took a jump after about 20 minutes the first time but yesterday it would not jump at all.
It makes no sound when I turn the key.. No clicking no trying to roll over just nothing- when I do this the lights do not go dim. I always turn my kill switch off if I'll be away from the car for more than an hour.
Now it rolls over then starts when ever I go to start it. This is my only transportation and I have to drive 30 minutes to work and back every day.
It has 186,000 on it
Other than that problem it has no other issues and usually runs good
4wd a 6 straight 4.0 litre
If anyone has any idea what is wrong with my car please help!
I'm sick of paying mechanics for them to tell me nothing is wrong!
Thanks in advance!!

Bustedback

This post has me all confused. What is happening right now? Keep it short but detailed as to what is happening.

DJeXeCute

Sounds like your only problem is a crankshaft positioning sensor and your killing the starter with how much your cranking it. Sounds like its doing the same thing as my buddies 98 ZJ with the 4.0 he took it to 3 places and 2 of the places said there was nothing wrong with it and the last one wanted to replace the starter alternator and battery for $700 (Theifs i tell you lol) I tested the cps and found it faulty replaced it and he has been driving it an hour to and from work every day for over a year and he wheels it on the weekends.

Steelersgurl19

Busted back:
Happens randomly:
I go to start the car and all the lights work etc but I turn the key and it won't start no roll over, no noise nothing.
Then it won't take a jump. Next day starts fine.

Crankshaft positioning sensor? How do you have it tested?
Is it expensive/ hard to replace?
(Do it myself if it isn't hard- those places always rip me off!!)
Thanks!!

Bustedback

For the starting issue I'm gonna say you may have a faulty neutral safety switch or ignition switch. Next time it won't turn over try putting the gear selector on neutral or nudge it into park. Every once in a while my Jeep will not turn over, I just give the shifter a nudge and then the engine will start.

Steelersgurl19

Yeah I've tried pushing it into park and neutral etc. that doesn't do anything.
Ignition switch- something that can be replaced?

Bustedback

Yep

Steelersgurl19

Ok so new problem!
If I turn the key and the car doesn't do anything-just silence- but the lights shut off but turn back on after is that the same issue ? Or something else?
I have not replaced anything yet.

dave1123

THAT sounds like a bad battery cable connection. It's usually the positive (+) cable end that doesn't make good contact.

po0dingles

Steelersgurl19

Both cables are new and so are the terminals- within last 2 years. And everything lights up bright.

My car won't start - at first it was taking a jump but it won't now.
It randomly doesn't start. ( has been out since Tuesday).
When I turn the key to on all the lights radios etc turn on but when I turn it to start nothing happens. No noise or clicking or anything.
First the lights were still staying bright but now the lights click off when I turn the car to start and then click back on after I turn the key back to on.
Just wondering if that would still be the ignition switch and ckp. Or something else?

Also if you know any tricks on replacing either one let me know I'm doing it this weekend.

AzBlueline65

Does your jeep have an anti theft?

czettlera

Hi try to connect with a piece of wire the direct positive terminal of the starter, with the small terminal of the magnet. It should start to crank. If not than your starter is faulty.

Steelersgurl19

No anti theft on it.
And the starter is less than 2 years old.
So I connect the direct positive terminal from starter to what magnet? While I'm doing this should the keys be in it and someone trying to start it or will just touching the wire start it?

bbhall89

If your battery is still good you should be able to take preferably like an insulated screw driver and jump the solenoid on the starter. Make sure to do this with the key in the on position. If that doesn't work or no lights come on after turning your key on you can have your ignition checked and or check your ignition wires for resistance (ohms) and amperage. And check your positive and negative wires going from the battery to the starter for the same thing.