Ok guys. I have a 1992 Jeep Cherokee 4.0 automatic, and its completely stock with aprox 221,000 mi. If my jeep has been sitting for a few days and not being started, it will start. Now here is the problem, if I let the jeep idle for a few mineuts or even drive it for a short peroid of time and shut it off, it will not start for a FEW days. When I turn the key it does NOT make any noise other than the fuel pump coming on. No cranking noise no nothing. Now one thing I have noticed is if I start the jeep and drive it for probably 4 to 5 miles and turn it off, it will start right back up.

Thanks in advance,
Tom

 

Have you checked the voltage on your battery to make sure it is still at 12V+ and 14V+ when the alternator is engaged?

 

Wouldn't it still make a clicking noise when you try to start the jeep, because it does not make any noises when it doesn't start other than the fuel pump.

 

On my rig (87 xj) If there is not enough volts the starter relay wont engage, just with what you said I would think asking to make sure your battery isn't dead wouldn't be a big deal. The problem your describing can really suck to diagnose and fix and for your sake I am hoping its the battery. If not then check ignition switch and pray its not a short somewhere.

 

I have jumped the battery when it will not start. Also left jumper cables on the battery to charge it for probably 10 - 20 minutes and its still didn't turn over. And it is also of the correct size, 550. We have also put direct power to the starter and it still will not turn over.

 

if you put direct power to the starter and it wont turn over change out the starter the siloniod is junk.

 

I have had the same issue with my 1999. For me, it was the NSS Neutral Safety Switch. They way I figured this out is by turning the key all the way forward like you are starting it, and then reach over with your left hand and grab your shifter (I have an automatic) and push in the side thumb button and just barely start moving it out of park towards reverse. Mine will then kick right in and I have to quickly pull the key off of start, or else the starter will grind...

So that's how I figured that one out. No need to fix it now that it "works" again! I was cleaning all my battery terminals, checking grounds etc... til I figured this out. Good luck.