97 XJ issues
 

Today my 97 XJ Sport was running just fine. My friend was helping me put a new rear hatch door on. We were working in the sun and I jumped in to move it into the shade and it wouldn't start. It will crank over and attempt to idle for a good 3-4 seconds and it will die. When it does try to idle it sputters and rattles almost like the catalytic converter is plugged up. Now I know the converter needs replaced and a new muffler put on, but what would cause this issue. Is there some kind of anti theft system that disables the XJ from starting. Could plugging in the wiring to the new lift gate cause the anti theft issue. The jeep has manual windows and locks as well. Plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor were just changed also. Any help would be appreciated.

Was the engine hot when you tried to start it ?

Engine wasn't hot at all. Had a friend run a scanner on it and it said fault in Neutral Safety Switch, cleared codes and it started fine. Shut it of and tried to start again same issue. I guess i'm gonna have to repair or replace the NSS. the symptoms just sound like Anti Theft symptoms from what I've read.

Dont know where you are from.

Apparently the "Export" '97 have a unique to that year immobiliser...causes the above issue...shuts down the fuel pump after 3secs

I understood USA '97 do not have the same issue...but I could be wrong...think they still have an immobiliser system, just that it is the same as later years

One reason I chose a '96..no immobiliser...(they do have their quirks though!)

I figured it out! when I replaced the back hatch I missed one of the ground wires that attaches behind the inner cargo area panel. I guess that put it in anti theft mode or that was part of the anti theft system. Put the ground on and it fired right up.