Im having problems with my Cherokee, have had different mechanics look at it with no 100% diagnosis, when it first began, when it wouldnt start i could turn the key and barely move the stick down from Park and it had a "sweet spot" it would start, then it began giving me problems when it would rain not starting, now it does nothing with the key, how ever i can jump the starter wires and it starts fine.....my question is, ignition switch, or the NSS? I cant afford a new NSS but i dont wanna just throw money at a used one and it not fix it, same with the ignition switch.

Go to the junk yard and get a nss. Cheap. Junk yard around here that would be free or 5 bucks

cant find one around here, for free or 5 bux. i have also notice the dash electronics have a small short in them sometimes, with a good bump on the dash all the gauges will begin to work.

There are threads with good instructions for cleaning and remounting the NSS. This almost always works well and requires very little additional effort over just replacing it.

As you have found, with a bad or improperly adjusted NSS, moving the shifter will often allow the motor to crank. Holding the key steadily in the Start position while moving the shifter back and forth between Park and Neutral will often allow a crank when all else fails.

thats what i had been doing, but it has completely stopped starting now, i will try and find a thread on cleaning the NSS.

Here's one from search "nss cleaning":

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/98-...-power-170586/

Some people take the thing apart with hands and switch inside a clear plastic bag to make sure tiny parts don't spring off and get lost.

Good luck!