Jeep will not start, has power but no clicks from ignition
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Pelham NH
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0L I6
Jeep will not start, has power but no clicks from ignition
Hey guys, I’m a newbie here but anyways I got a 99 Cherokee sport 4.0 that recently died on me. Been trying to diagnose the problem for a month now and figured I’d just ask rather than sift through thousands of pages of battery and starting issues.
So so since I bought the car it had always had this issue on start up, the process would be very drawn out and laggy, sometimes would be turning the engine over for 10 seconds before it fired up. Finally one day it just didn’t do anything. I don’t drive it much so thinking the batt was dead I pulled and charged that, but it was fine.
As as it sits, the car HAS power to everything, interior lights, radio, exterior lights, etc. however there is ZERO response when I turn the key, no clicking at all. I’ve read that the NSS can go bad in these and to try to start in neutral and when I do that I get the same results, jiggle shifter and all that.
Its worth me mentioning that it looks like the previous owner tried to remove the batt terminals with a hatchet... guys I’m not even kidding I don’t think I could do this much damage intentionally. But is the problem is as simple as replacing those?
Any input can help, I’ve already replaced my ENTIRE cooking system only to find out the culprit was a bad head gasket.. and that’s the last I’ll be going to that mechanic. Trust you guys more than that bozo
So so since I bought the car it had always had this issue on start up, the process would be very drawn out and laggy, sometimes would be turning the engine over for 10 seconds before it fired up. Finally one day it just didn’t do anything. I don’t drive it much so thinking the batt was dead I pulled and charged that, but it was fine.
As as it sits, the car HAS power to everything, interior lights, radio, exterior lights, etc. however there is ZERO response when I turn the key, no clicking at all. I’ve read that the NSS can go bad in these and to try to start in neutral and when I do that I get the same results, jiggle shifter and all that.
Its worth me mentioning that it looks like the previous owner tried to remove the batt terminals with a hatchet... guys I’m not even kidding I don’t think I could do this much damage intentionally. But is the problem is as simple as replacing those?
Any input can help, I’ve already replaced my ENTIRE cooking system only to find out the culprit was a bad head gasket.. and that’s the last I’ll be going to that mechanic. Trust you guys more than that bozo
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 364
From: Eustis, Florida
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
clean and insure all grounds to the engine are clean and tight.
remove starter and have tested at auto parts store.
definitely would replace mangled cables
hope this helps
remove starter and have tested at auto parts store.
definitely would replace mangled cables
hope this helps
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,700
Likes: 238
From: Groton, MA
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: I6 4.0L
You're exhibiting all the classic symptoms of a worn out starter. Fortunately it's pretty easy to take off and your local Autozone/Advance type store will bench test it for you free of charge.
Battery terminals are pretty inexpensive and if yours are that bad it would certainly be worth replacing them.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,700
Likes: 238
From: Groton, MA
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: I6 4.0L
I see you're in Pelham - my wife and I are actually hoping to move there within the next couple years. You don't happen to know an Andy Fisher, do you?
It's a bit of a drive from there, but I absolutely trust the guys at Merhi - they're on Route 40 (at the BP gas station) in Westford, if you want quality work and super honest/fair treatment.
It's a bit of a drive from there, but I absolutely trust the guys at Merhi - they're on Route 40 (at the BP gas station) in Westford, if you want quality work and super honest/fair treatment.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Zreiser
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
16
Mar 30, 2019 11:01 PM
95_xj_country
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
2
Feb 18, 2013 11:03 AM
Green & Yellow
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
21
Dec 1, 2012 03:47 PM
dippytwig
Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here!
1
Jul 12, 2012 11:28 AM
dippytwig
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
2
Jul 11, 2012 10:57 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)