I have a 1996 Jeep Cherokee that will not start. No codes. Nothing at all. It turns on, all the lights turn on and go back off like normal, I turn the key and the break light is lit up and nothing else happens. Does not crank, not noises or anything anywhere. Interior light stays the same (doesnt dim like battery is amping up) and battery is showing just over 12 volts. I do have it on a charger to see if maybe its ampiing up but the truck isn't acting like it is (does the computer cut the switch 100% when it detects the battery is under amp'ed???) This one has me stumped.

Doing some searching around the closest thing I found was some Jeeps doing behavior like this when it rains. It has been wet the past few days. I just started this Jeep about a week ago too and usually start it up about once a month since I do not drive it a lot.

Any ideas? Thanks.

Edit:
Last time I started it:
Yea... I was trying to sell it until I tried to start it today and couldn't.

 

Welcome to the site, though if you do sell it I guess you won't be here long lol. If you stay please get used to posting what transmission you have. I *THINK* I saw the shifter for an automatic in that video... automatics and manuals have different things that can stop them from starting up.

In the automatic's case the usual culprit is the NSS. Try wiggling the shifter, trying to start it in Neutral, go back and forth a few times if need be.

Sometimes the starter's windings or the solenoid can fail, banging the starter with a hammer (occasionally while trying to crank it) can make it work long enough to start the engine.

I don't know what "under-amped" is supposed to be? If you mean the battery isn't able to deliver sufficient current then no, the whole starting system is a series of relays and switches. Check for busted fuses and relays in your Power Distribution Center under the hood as well as the Junction Block hiding behind the passenger side kick panel.

Another thing you need to look at is the connections. Follow all the big wires coming off of the battery. Clean the clamps, terminals, posts, wires, nuts, EVERYTHING until shiny, hit them with some electrical contact cleaner, and then reassemble with something like Ideal NOALOX or Gardner Bender OX-GARD (you can find this in the electrical aisle at home supply stores). Marginal connections can pass enough current to let small things operate like some light bulbs and relays but not actually make the starter move.

 

i have the same issue, its the NSS like salad mentioned. i just hold the key forward and slowly pull the shift lever towards reverse. it hits a sweet spot right between the gears and fires up every time. altho im sure it will be different, as its a different vehicle.
you can take the NSS off and clean it witch usually works pretty well i have heard. or you can jump the wires (bypass the nss) but then you will be able to start in any gear.
or obviously replace it.

hope you figure it out!

 

It was that exact issue. I had to push the shifter forward to start it.

It is an AUTO as well. I assume the sensor is located in the front of the shifter somewhere? Maybe it gets bent and loses position?

 

Underneath on the side of the unit. It gets pretty filthy

 

Carefully remove and disassemble the switch.. here's a really good step by step..

http://www.bc4x4.com/tech/2010/jeep-...ty-switch-nss/

 

Thanks everyone! I decided to keep the Jeep for now. Took it to a shop to get a look at it. Front right caliper was held on with zip ties...

After having the shop fix the brakes and change plugs that looked like they were 200k miles old its like driving a totally different vehicle! Now all is left is the above sensor cleaning, changing a couple of seals, changing out water pump (something I can and will do), and putting a set of tires on it (wish I could lift it, can't right now). Need to change tranny fluid too. I am scared of changing the tranny fluid. I did that to a Ford Explorer once, which is one reason I call them "Exploders" now as the tranny did a nuclear detonation about 2k miles later. However I read that the Jeep transmission is a really good one so I shouldn't have any worries.

If I have any other questions I will post them (after doing a search). Thanks again all!

 

No pics? Some of Bubba's best handiwork.....and no pics?
Put it back and take some pics!


Drain the transmission, clean the filter screen if you like, and refill. Repeat once or twice if the fluid looks or smells bad. Dexron III. Don't let the parts place sell you ATF +4.

If you had an A4LD in the Exploder it was going to grenade no matter what you did. I blew through them in rangers every 75K. I have never smelled transmission fluid that bad, lol.
The AW4 in your XJ is a good transmission. Not unusual to see 300K + out of them.