It's done this to me before a few times. Gone somewhere and return to start it and nothing, then I turn the steering wheel and it starts. Well I tried that this time and nothing. I checked my volts and those were good and my dummy lights go on when I try to start but nothing. Any ideas?

 

if its an auto, try rocking the trans lever in park or neutral, as the NSS safety switch will often cause this exact symptom

 

Well that didn't work. Any more ideas?

 

By " doesn't turn over" I'll assume you mean it doesn't crank rather than it cranks but doesn't start.
if that's the case do you get the "crank now please" voltage àt the solenoid when you try to start it?
. also: without risking any body parts ...will it crank when you jump the terminals at the solenoid?

 

got a few

I would prefer more info to go on, but do you have power coming from ignition to start relay ?

I slide a 5A wire end into the relevant slots, push the relay in, and you should have 12V constant, 12V when key turns, 12v out etc etc

 

Could be a loose battery terminal or corroded connections. Try wiggling the battery cables. Also the ground cable from the battery to the fender. Make sure the fender side makes a good connection.

Could be a starter solenoid. Try jumping the solenoid (careful, high amperage).

 

I’ve seen the ignition switch connector on top of the steering column melt before. Worth a check.

 

It won't crank at all. What do you mean "do you get the crank now please" voltage at the solenoid? How do you jump the terminals at the solenoid?

 

So it won't crank over but I never had any problems before. Now for the rest of your questions, I don't know how to check for what you have asked.... do you have power coming from ignition to start relay ?

I slide a 5A wire end into the relevant slots, push the relay in, and you should have 12V constant, 12V when key turns, 12v out etc etc

 

I saw corrosion at the terminals and decided to clean everything. I got a baking soda container mixed with water and soaked overnight. That took care of the corrosion. I reinstalled and still have the same problems.

 

[QUOTE=xjallseasons;3710096]It won't crank at all. What do you mean "do you get the crank now please" voltage at the solenoid? How do you jump the terminals at the solenoid?[/Q


Some of this is getting into the area of " if you're not familiar with the process you could get hurt ( burnt,run over, toast the wiring harness etc)"

Not wanting to be responsible for such unlikely but possible results, and as much as I dislike most YouTube stuff, there's approximately 1 million videos on bench testing or in vehicle testing of starters and solenoids.
If you're going to own a vehicle that's a quarter century old and work on it yourself it's useful to know this stuff.
Not trying to be nasty, but repair by keyboard is hard to do sometimes
BTW. I looked at your profile to see which transmission you had, which can matter in diagnosing no crank, and it says " don't know". It would help to provide that information.

 

[QUOTE=exasemech;3710100]I heard that the '96 (my year) was a bastard year and there was some of the '95 and some of the '97 that went into it, so that's why I don't know. It's a '96 SE 4x4 HO 4.0l. It has 160k and I am the 3rd owner.
I really would like to know all there is to know about this and that's why I am on this forum, youtube and google to find out what I can. I cannot remember everything for this and often refer to those. I have 3 other vehicles and a sandrail.
I will have to look up the "how to..." on what you are saying or call a buddy that owns a shop. Thanks,

 

I always find the discussions of 96 MY being a weird year interesting. My first XJ was a 96 I ordered in early October 95 and was delivered in November. Because of where I was working I was able to follow it through the production process.

Never really had any parts problems etc, . Took great mechanical care of it but it rusted....bad. I sold it to a friend of mine for $1. He put a bunch of rust work into it but when front axle fell out gave up. He sold it to a neighbor who rolled it.
My poor Jeep

 

It is an extremely straight forward part of the diagnostic procedure for " no crank" situations

It is outlined in the '96 FSM in excruciating detail, all 1750 pages

There is a link to free download it on this forum, I put up a copy on that link, also the '95 Drivetrain Diagnostic Manual

If you cant find it, download the 95 FSM, all free, you need it (as you said you want to learn)

Sounds as if you have mechanical skills, but you need to electrical skills in this situation

There is absolutely no way around it, or someone else has to do the job

Diagnosing a no crank situation is electrical fault finding 101, but you should consult the manual, that is what it is for, Youtube or forum search will give you all the information you need

Exercise extreme care whenever testing a starter motor while under the car!

I will see if i can find the link and edit it in

* edit; I Google searched and found sources, my old link is dead

Here is the Diagnostic manual link

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...it?usp=sharing

be quick
​​​​​​​​​​​​

 

I called a mechanic friend of mine and he said to use a test light on the small wire on the back of the starter. I must have touched ground as well because it kicked over and the test light came on. I am assuming I need a new starter now.
Also, cruiser54 was commenting on another thread similar to mine and said "is your starter covered in oil"? What is the significance to this? Because mine is.