I believe there are 2 ways to bypass the NSS on a '96 XJ.

The first would be to bridge the gap between the two electrodes on the starter motor from underneath.

The second I believe is to unhook one of the electrical harnesses in that cluster of 4 or so somewhere around the trans fluid dip stick and bridge the circuit using maybe just a small wire. I've seen possibly a graphic of this somewhere before but can't find it now.

Can someone please explain how this is done at the electrical harness?

Thanks

jumper between terminals B and C....

Here's another pic.. I wonder if the connectors that show it's in 3rd or 1-2 cause any issues when the NSS goes inoperative?

How is sticking a paperclip in the sockets of the switch connector going to trick the jeep into thinking it's in park?
You would need to jumper the other side of the connector with pins that feed back to the ECU.

As someone who had to "trick" the jeep to determine if the NSS was at fault for a no crank, yes, it is very much possible to jump the terminals at the connector. This technique is useful for troubleshooting the NSS and to get you out of a tow if you're out on the road when it fails.

I don't know why per se but I've done it and it works. Drove it for months with a paper clip in mine.

Basically all the NSS does is complete the ground for the starter when it is in the P or N position because that is where the connections inside line up. If you jump the terminals for the black ground wires you bypass this internal lining up and the starter is grounded no matter what. When a NSS wears out it can no longer get a good connection to complete the ground for the starter and that's why you get a silent no start situation.

Since only a ground is involved there is no actual current to have to send to the ECU or any other sort of positive or "hot" wires involved.

That's correct. Need to jumper the ECU connector, not the switch connector.
Unless you plug the connectors back together after inserting a small jumper- then it doesn't matter.

'96 will eventually throw a CEL if the NSS is jumpered. Doesn't affect how it runs.

Thank you for restoring my faith in the forum.
If I could just jumper the plug connector on the end of the switch in order to bypass it, then I might as well remove the nut and bolt holding it to the tranny and put the jumpered switch on the workbench in my garage for safekeeping while I drive my XJ around.

Howdy Chuck! Long time no see....


Chris, you might want to check out this link. If you can remove your NSS without breaking it, you can probably fix it>>

If you hold the key over, and jiggle the shifter in park or neutral and it starts, it's your NSS. http://bc4x4.com/tech/2010/jeep-neut...ty-switch-nss/

From what people are saying, it's a temporary fix to your problem and it works. They even explained why, so I'm not sure why you seem upset over that and "losing faith" in the forums (as if people are trying to mislead you or spread false information)

It's been a temporary fix for my NSS for about 8 years now.

Suggestion: Carry these jumper instructions on your vehicle as part of your tool/emergency kit. Some time ago I tucked them into the repair manual I keep on board. Have not had to use it yet. But I figure if I do, I won't remember which wires to jump without the instructions.

So you guys are sayin that I can unplug my nss here,



and stick a paperclip like this



in the end of the nss plug here,



and then I can just go driving around with nothing plugged into the pins side of the connector coming out of the wiring harness in the engine bay?

Sorry guys I'm just not seein it.

That was a pretty elaborate picture show. So what are you trying to assert here? Either it's that you are trying to passive aggressively point out that it's the module side that needs the jumper and not the switch side, or you don't believe you can bypass the nss using the jumper method. The point of the information in this thread is to give ppl an idea of how to get their XJ to start when the nss fails, or as a means of troubleshooting. If you were trying to prove your knowledge, you could have posted the pics with the intent to instruct someone on how to do it properly. Ppl rely on these threads when searching for solutions. Yours was the opposite of that.