Problem started awhile ago, wouldn't start, battery is good (optima red). Rolled it down a hill and compression started, and ran fine.

I took out the starter and cleaned up all the connections, and that seemed to fix the problem. Now it won't start again.

Replaced the solenoid, nothing. Ran a wire from the +terminal to the ignition switch connection on the solenoid and it turned over. Decided it had to be something in the wiring, so i went to napa and bought a push button switch to bypass whatever was wrong, got the jumper switch all wired up and now nothing!

I don't know what is wrong, maybe the solenoid i bought got messed up in the process? Is there a way that what I did could've busted the starter. Its a manual so there is no NSS to mess with and the fan turns off when I go from acc to start, so I don't think its the ignition switch. I must have a ghost wire short? This problem is really getting to be a bare, any input would be much appreciated! Its a 1990 laredo 4.0L with a 5 spd (not sure which model tranny) and a mitsubishi starter.

does anyone have any input?

will it crank and crank and crank but not start or will it just not do anything?

Then you must have wired it wrong. It should be no different then running a wire from pos to the solinoid. Try it with the wire again to make sure. If that works have a friend try to start it with the key and measure voltage at the soliniod. If you don't get anything the ignition switch is probably bad. Find the switch and measure for voltage in and then voltage out with the key turned to the start position.

Could be clutch switch - I don't were its located - all I deal with is AT - Had one on my Bronco push down clutch to get it to work about 2 times. Being it would start by rolling down hill or pushing - that were I would start checking, post what you fine.

Do Cherokee's have them? I learned the hard way on my 89 5spd that you don't have to have the clutch in to start it!

Im not sure if yours has a clutch switch or not but wiring in a start button should bypass that anyway just like with the wire to the batterey did. I would try the wire to the batterey again and make sure your wired up right.

Took the starter to get checked this morning, lady said she couldn't get it to crank, so i bought a new one. I put that in with the button switch in line and it started right up. Don't know if it was the motor or the solenoid, but whatever it was it works now and i got this neat little push button start. Thanks for the suggestions good jeepin to ya.