Northern Cherokee

What could be up with my 99 Cherokee?
No warning signs prior to not starting.
Turned the key to run position and all is normal on the gauges etc.. when turned to start, Everything just went blank
No interior lights, gauge lights, door ajar buzzer, radio..... Absolutely NOTHING.
Sitting for a while thinking and trying to solve the puzzle. I press the door ajar button and sometimes get a slight buzzer sound.
After a minute or so of holding the button in or close the door, in behind the dash you hear a sound of a small motor for a couple seconds.
Place they key back in ignition and turn to run and all is normal until you turn the key to start position. It goes dead again.
My only guess is ignition relay as I know it cant be a fuse.
Not sure how to test it and don't want to start re[placing allot of parts?
The battery is about 3 years old and at 12.6 volts.
New battery connectors as the old bolts are rotted away.

kirknd4spd

Mine did the same thing not long ago, turned out to be dirty battery connectors. Cleaned the connectors and the battery terminals with a wire brush, everything works perfectly fine again.
Had me stumped for a couple days though, because my battery and connectors on the cables were new, so I didn't think they would be the problem. But that was definitely the issue.

It may be something else with yours, but its worth a try

Muaddib420

I'd start with testing the battery at the parts store. Or swap in a known good one.

Northern Cherokee

Not sure what I did but a combination of re-clean all grounds and posts and still same symptoms.
I pulled the starter and Fuel pump relays from the engine bay fuse block and tried to start the jeep and of coarse it didn't start but it didn't pop the relay as before. I plugged the fuel pump relay back in and retried starting. Same thing... didn't pop the relay. I then plugged back in the starter relay and it freekin started! What the heck?
I was sure I was heading to replace the starter. not too expensive and easy.
Thanks guys for the help.
Daryl from flood ravaged Calgary

Radi

That's a classic symptom of a failing neutral safety switch (NSS). You'll find lots of reading material here on it. They often start with occasional no-cranks and progress over time.
They can be removed and cleaned. Just mentioning it in case the problem should return.

Northern Cherokee

That's funny that you mentioned that. For several years now I have had the "Check engine" light on and the code reads as Neutral safety switch.
I replaced the switch last year but the light still remains on. No reverse lights either. I tried adjusting it but still no change.