Jeep wont start!!!!! Please Help!!!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 44
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From: Colorado
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I-6
Jeep wont start!!!!! Please Help!!!
Okay this morning go out to my jeep try to start it up turn they key and all the electronics come on but the jeep doesnt even try to turn over....
I replaced my battery and starter today because of this and still wont start could it be my neutral safety switch or what?
Any help greatly appreciated.
I replaced my battery and starter today because of this and still wont start could it be my neutral safety switch or what?
Any help greatly appreciated.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Start with verifying fuses/relay related to the starter. The main relay for the starter is in the power distribution center (black box under the hood on the passenger side). Swap the starter relay with one of the others; the relays are all the same part number so swapping is not a problem.
Try wiggling the shift lever or starting in neutral. If either of these techniques works, the neutral safety switch is your problem. Even if these techniques don't work, the NSS could still have failed.
http://bc4x4.com/tech/2010/jeep-neut...ty-switch-nss/
With your ignition switch in the ON position, check for 12 volts at the starter. If you have that, you still have some sort of starter problem. If you don't have battery voltage at the starter, then you need to start working your way backwards into the engine bay; NSS, cables, grounds, etc.
Try wiggling the shift lever or starting in neutral. If either of these techniques works, the neutral safety switch is your problem. Even if these techniques don't work, the NSS could still have failed.
http://bc4x4.com/tech/2010/jeep-neut...ty-switch-nss/
With your ignition switch in the ON position, check for 12 volts at the starter. If you have that, you still have some sort of starter problem. If you don't have battery voltage at the starter, then you need to start working your way backwards into the engine bay; NSS, cables, grounds, etc.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I-6
Start with verifying fuses/relay related to the starter. The main relay for the starter is in the power distribution center (black box under the hood on the passenger side). Swap the starter relay with one of the others; the relays are all the same part number so swapping is not a problem.
Try wiggling the shift lever or starting in neutral. If either of these techniques works, the neutral safety switch is your problem. Even if these techniques don't work, the NSS could still have failed.
http://bc4x4.com/tech/2010/jeep-neut...ty-switch-nss/
With your ignition switch in the ON position, check for 12 volts at the starter. If you have that, you still have some sort of starter problem. If you don't have battery voltage at the starter, then you need to start working your way backwards into the engine bay; NSS, cables, grounds, etc.
Try wiggling the shift lever or starting in neutral. If either of these techniques works, the neutral safety switch is your problem. Even if these techniques don't work, the NSS could still have failed.
http://bc4x4.com/tech/2010/jeep-neut...ty-switch-nss/
With your ignition switch in the ON position, check for 12 volts at the starter. If you have that, you still have some sort of starter problem. If you don't have battery voltage at the starter, then you need to start working your way backwards into the engine bay; NSS, cables, grounds, etc.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I-6
Well its not my my NSS i cleaned and re installed it and still no go. I have done some lookin around and only found it could be my crankshaft position sensor... no clue how to test it. but what else could it be?
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
If the engine will not turn over, your problem is NOT the crank sensor.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 4
From: Riviera, Texas
Year: 1998 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Just because you cleaned the NSS doesn't mean it isn't bad!
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Seasoned Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 454
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From: East Texas
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
tjwalker your instructions for testing for voltage at starter was right on but you turn the ignition switch to start not on. Easy mistake to make BTDT.
Since you tested the NSS and got it to start I would think the problem is in the NSS. What the NSS does, during starting, is provide a ground for the trigger circuit of the starter relay. The ignition switch provides the voltage thru the relay coil to ground thru the NSS only when the NSS is in park or neutral.
If you can do electrical testing you can test for this at the engine starter relay. Remove relay and find the terminals for the trigger circiut. Typically they are pin 86 and 85 but I believe Jeep has different designators. There should be a wiring diagram on the relay cover. Find the pin for the NSS ground and do a continuity test between that pin and ground. With the NSS in park or neutral you will have continuity. No continuity otherwise. The other pin will be for the ignition switch. Test for voltage with the ignition switch turned to start.
The other 2 pins are typically 30 and 87. Pin 30 has constant battery power. Pin 87 goes to the starter solenoid.
So when you turn the ignition to start, power goes from the ign switch to the relay thru the coil, thru the NSS to ground. This activates the relay. Now pin 30 connects to pin 87 energizing the starter solenoid and the starter engages.
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, Nevada
Year: 1987
Model: Comanche
Engine: 4.0
I had this problem at one point too. I definitely overlooked the problem because I didn't even think of it. The wire from the starter to the battery on mine fell out of the battery terminal. If you haven't already checked, it could be a possibility.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I-6
First NEVER buy and replace parts until you troubleshoot and find the problem. It can get costly.
tjwalker your instructions for testing for voltage at starter was right on but you turn the ignition switch to start not on. Easy mistake to make BTDT.
Since you tested the NSS and got it to start I would think the problem is in the NSS. What the NSS does, during starting, is provide a ground for the trigger circuit of the starter relay. The ignition switch provides the voltage thru the relay coil to ground thru the NSS only when the NSS is in park or neutral.
If you can do electrical testing you can test for this at the engine starter relay. Remove relay and find the terminals for the trigger circiut. Typically they are pin 86 and 85 but I believe Jeep has different designators. There should be a wiring diagram on the relay cover. Find the pin for the NSS ground and do a continuity test between that pin and ground. With the NSS in park or neutral you will have continuity. No continuity otherwise. The other pin will be for the ignition switch. Test for voltage with the ignition switch turned to start. Today im going to re clean and re lube my NSS and tried to get it working.
The other 2 pins are typically 30 and 87. Pin 30 has constant battery power. Pin 87 goes to the starter solenoid.
So when you turn the ignition to start, power goes from the ign switch to the relay thru the coil, thru the NSS to ground. This activates the relay. Now pin 30 connects to pin 87 energizing the starter solenoid and the starter engages.
tjwalker your instructions for testing for voltage at starter was right on but you turn the ignition switch to start not on. Easy mistake to make BTDT.
Since you tested the NSS and got it to start I would think the problem is in the NSS. What the NSS does, during starting, is provide a ground for the trigger circuit of the starter relay. The ignition switch provides the voltage thru the relay coil to ground thru the NSS only when the NSS is in park or neutral.
If you can do electrical testing you can test for this at the engine starter relay. Remove relay and find the terminals for the trigger circiut. Typically they are pin 86 and 85 but I believe Jeep has different designators. There should be a wiring diagram on the relay cover. Find the pin for the NSS ground and do a continuity test between that pin and ground. With the NSS in park or neutral you will have continuity. No continuity otherwise. The other pin will be for the ignition switch. Test for voltage with the ignition switch turned to start. Today im going to re clean and re lube my NSS and tried to get it working.
The other 2 pins are typically 30 and 87. Pin 30 has constant battery power. Pin 87 goes to the starter solenoid.
So when you turn the ignition to start, power goes from the ign switch to the relay thru the coil, thru the NSS to ground. This activates the relay. Now pin 30 connects to pin 87 energizing the starter solenoid and the starter engages.
Last edited by Joshcherokee1997; May 15, 2013 at 10:36 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I-6
I just replaced them recently but ill give them a good look over.
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
From: Tucson AZ
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 387
Likes: 2
From: Colorado
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Okay this morning go out to my jeep try to start it up turn they key and all the electronics come on but the jeep doesnt even try to turn over...
I replaced my battery and starter today because of this and still wont start could it be my neutral safety switch or what?
I replaced my battery and starter today because of this and still wont start could it be my neutral safety switch or what?
What are your current symptoms? Noises?
Did you clean the battery terminals?
Did you check the grounds on the block?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I-6
When I turn the key it turn the electronics right on and no clicking or sounds of turning over. But it would start occasionally but with erratic shift and hard shifting. I'm just so lost with the whole thing