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97 cherokee will not start

Old Mar 14, 2011 | 08:40 PM
  #1  
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Default 97 cherokee will not start

Need help with cherokee will not start. When turning key will not start, hear fuel pump pumping have power to lights and wipers and radio but don't heat clicking under hood. Replaced ignition switch and cylinder and keys, am able to jump across solenoid and it will start. Does not start while moving shifter in park or neutral. Started a few times after replacing cylinder and key (thinking coincidental) . Good battery and connections. Havent fooled with the NSS yet, just wondering about some ideas. Oh yes swapped starter relay. 4.0 liter.
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Old Mar 14, 2011 | 08:49 PM
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From: York PA/State College PA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
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Sounds like the next step is either refurbishing or replacing the NSS
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Old Mar 14, 2011 | 10:37 PM
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Default nss

is it easy to refurbish nss. It looks clean on the outside but have not taken it off transmission. Is there a way to test it with it on the jeep?
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Old Mar 15, 2011 | 04:47 AM
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From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
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Engine: 4.0
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Here is a link to "refurbishing" the neutral safety switch. You could also try (temporarily) bypassing it. If bypass works, that confirms that the NSS is faulty. Bypassing information also in this link.

http://bc4x4.com/tech/2010/jeep-neut...ty-switch-nss/
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Old Mar 15, 2011 | 09:25 PM
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Default THanks

Thank you for you link and help. I will try it this weekend.
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Old Mar 16, 2011 | 07:22 AM
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From: Slaughter, LA
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
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Check your fuses.

My 97 did the same thing. It was the big 30A fuse for the starter. It's in the box on the passenger side of the engine compartment.
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 05:16 PM
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Default NSS

Thanks you for all of your help, I have not had time to clean and refurbish the NSS as of yet but I did bypass it and find out that is what is causing the problem. So maybe this weekend I will be able to refurbish it.
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Old Mar 26, 2011 | 12:17 PM
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Mine's been threatening me for awhile. When your NSS freezes up, put it in neutral and push it a little bit. Or put it in Park and shake the Jeep back and forth. Worked every time, so far, but I know I'm on borrowed time with it.

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Old Mar 26, 2011 | 12:19 PM
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From: Long Island N.Y.
Year: 1999
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Engine: I6 4.0
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Check the fuses mine did the same thing on the beach we thought it was the starter we found a little tiny crack in the fuse wasnt letting it start
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