I have a 91 xj w/4.0 HO and auto.trans.Last weekend we did some offroad wheeling,a lot of starting and stopping,no problems,car works fine..then I parked my car and the day after I sholud move the car and what??The car wås dead..we tried to jumpstart it,but nothing happends..until I moved the gearshifter.then I could start the car and everything worked great for 2 days.Last thuesday I got same issue with starting again,same procedure again,moving shifter ,had to try a lot (15-20 times) before I finally get starting.Then I drove it home and parked the car in my garage,since that I haven`t any power .This weekend I have searching several forums and tried too find solutions for my problem(s).I have tried some work;cleaned up the neutralswitch in trans.,replaced ignitionswitch,replaced or checked all fuses,changed battery,checked many wires and ground points for bad or loose connections.But now I have no ideas for what I can do or try.It seems to be all components powered by ignitionswitch don`t work,Headlights,parklights f/r,pdl,ps,pmirrors and domelights still work.This car have many unessery options like ABS,A/C,CC,PW,PSeats.Can anybody in this forum please help me?

 

have you checked the fuses in the relay box the big ones for the ignition

 

Yes,I have checked all fuses in engine bay,the big ones and minifuses as well..not only visual even tested with omh-meter.i also picked some relays from a car who worked well,like fuel pump,ABS,AutomaticShutDown for ignition and starter.Last time I drove it,I remember, I had no turn signals.maybe this is a possible reason..

 

Check your CPS or CKS

 

how can I do this check?omh meter ?how much resistance would it be reading?Where is this cks located?

 

Your neutral safety switch is just dirty. Pull it an clean it. Do it carefully, they are expensive to replace.

 

I did this job on sunday,cleaned and sanded carefully.I tried even bypassing.

 

your cps is the crankshaft positioning sensor and is located on the bell housing underneath your jeep and then has a 3 prong connector under your hood near your firewall. yes test the 2 prongs with a ohm meter. and if memory serves right I believe its 225-275. but I mayb wrong search it on here. also the cks is your crankcase positioning sensor. Its located in the distributor. depending on your year of vehicle it could be called stator or pickup coil. either of those will not let the engine start. also ignition coil and module but I think you said you checked those already

 

Now I have tested my cps,couldn`t find any readings on my omh- meter in this range(225-275ohms),but in a short second i could read 312omhs and 2nd test about 290omhs.In a HaynesRepairManual I see for testing cps it should be 200+/-75 omhs when hot,mine has not been hot for daysIf this part is dead or faulty,will rest of the electrical system "go in black"?Nothing powered by ignition switch worksThank`s for answers,I`ll try everthing..

 

Replace the neutral safety switch if nothing else works. Cleaning a bad switch just makes it shiney lol. It might be fairly cheap at carquest

 

Ohh,yes,I agree..shiney parts don`t have to work.But yours parts store is closer and cheaper than mine,I live in Norway and here in this coutry we have few stores,maybe none,who have these parts in stock,and if they apperars to have it,it`s very expensive..
So I have to try some cheap solutions first..

 

A little update here;this morning I wanted to take a short cut,just for have something to try..I took a jumpwire directly from battery+ and replaced the powerwire in connector at the ignitionswitch,turned key and ligts come on for some seconds in dash,nice..
turned a little bit more and yes!!engine starts and run like beforeI stopped and tried in neutral;OK! tried also in Drive ,did not start;OK!!So my job is now to find where this cable are loose or worn,but I`m happy;engine runsthanks folks.