help please
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Registered Users
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,371
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From: morrisonville ny
Year: 2000 @ 1994 givin away
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
hey all ,I have a 2000 xj cheerokee sport, 125,000 miles. str 6 ,auto,np231frt dana 30, rear dana 35.She starts up fine sometimes like mornings,than at times she wont start just click.Than sometimes she fires right up, whether its hot or half way cool or totaltly cool.I just orderded a new igniotion switch,Em I headed in the right direction ,and are they hard to install. Thanks
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,261
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From: New Jersey
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
If the starter just clicks, it could be a bad starter or just not enough voltage to get starter going. You should test the voltage of the battery to see if you have enough power to start it.
Thread Starter
Registered Users
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,371
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From: morrisonville ny
Year: 2000 @ 1994 givin away
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
sorry i didnt say this before wont start in neutral either,new battery this summer.Radio lights, everthing else works fine.I swapped to another good battery from my p/u same thing.So i was thinking switch ,maybe the relay in fuse box. I just dont know. Thanks
You can swap the relays for the auxillary fan and the starter the next time it won't start to test the relay, I did the opposite to test my fan when it wouldn't shut off after turning the engine off.
Doesn't really sound like a Ignition Switch, NSS or Relay to me. Usually when these components are faulty, you won't even get a "click".
How's your Battery Cables?
The only reason that i ask is, cables are so often overlooked. They seem to be in good condition on the outside, but there's no way to tell how they are, inside the insulation. Without a good connection, you have nothing solid to work from, ya know?
I've learned from experience that this the VERY first thing that i check! I've found that most of the time, the $15 investment usually fixes the problem long before i start throwing parts at it.
I'm also assuming that your Battery "checks out" good?
Usually, when a Starter is bad, it will "draw" your Battery dead. But you really can't tell until you actually get it tested. Most parts stores will do this for free, however you must remove it from the vehicle first.
BTW- To test your Ignition Switch; turn your Heater Fan 'on' and then turn your Ignition Switch to 'start'. The Fan should turn off when your vehicle tries to crank. If it does not, that would mean that you have a bad Ignition Switch!
Also- To test your NSS; try the turn Key, press and jiggle method.
Hope this helps!!!
How's your Battery Cables?

The only reason that i ask is, cables are so often overlooked. They seem to be in good condition on the outside, but there's no way to tell how they are, inside the insulation. Without a good connection, you have nothing solid to work from, ya know?
I've learned from experience that this the VERY first thing that i check! I've found that most of the time, the $15 investment usually fixes the problem long before i start throwing parts at it.
I'm also assuming that your Battery "checks out" good?
Usually, when a Starter is bad, it will "draw" your Battery dead. But you really can't tell until you actually get it tested. Most parts stores will do this for free, however you must remove it from the vehicle first.
BTW- To test your Ignition Switch; turn your Heater Fan 'on' and then turn your Ignition Switch to 'start'. The Fan should turn off when your vehicle tries to crank. If it does not, that would mean that you have a bad Ignition Switch!

Also- To test your NSS; try the turn Key, press and jiggle method.
Hope this helps!!!
Last edited by guest02; Dec 31, 2009 at 08:58 PM.
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Thread Starter
Registered Users
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 4
From: morrisonville ny
Year: 2000 @ 1994 givin away
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
positive cable was loose tightend her down. Did the change of fuses before I did the cable, and still just got the clicking noise. This morning it started right up , went for a ride to heat her all up. Let her set a few minutes and so far she keeps starting, but i think Ill buy new cables to be safe thanks all you guys, hopefully thats all it was.


