The key light turns on but jeep won't start. 2001 jeep cherokee 4x4 4.0 automatic. Does anybody have any ideas?

 

Read his, it may help: http://www.justanswer.com/jeep/36yca...-flashing.html

Or maybe this: http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f18f7b6/0

 

Probably the NSS (neutral safety switch)

Try putting it in neutral and start it.

 

Is your jeep equipped with sentry key? couls be a bad key/transponder

 

It might be your ignition switch. I had to replace mine and it had the same symptoms as you described.

 

Turns out my Jeep was in Drive.... Thanks for this comment!

 

Does your Jeep have the "Sentry-Key" system? It was optional on the later-model ('97-'01) XJ's, and keeps the Jeep from starting with an incorrect key, or ANY key that is NOT programmed to the vehicle. It does this by using a small resistor inside the key head that transmits a code to a ring inside the ignition key cylinder (known as the "SKIM Module", or "Sentry Key Identification (I.D.) Module"), and ONLY if the codes match will your Jeep start AND continue to run (it was ALSO optional on the '97-'06 Wrangler TJ's, but standard on the '99-'04 Grand Cherokee WJ). The Jeep WILL start AND run for 3-5 seconds, but will THEN shut back off if the key isn't recognized by the ignition ring. If you DON'T the "Sentry-Key" system, your key head will be flatter (and may even be the older "Trapezoidal" design.

If you have "Sentry-Key", the key head will DEFINITELY be round, and be "fatter" than the NON "Sentry-Key". Sometimes, these "SKIM Modules" can act up. And when it DOES act up, you'll see an orange light on your dash that looks like a key with a "NO" symbol through it. Sometimes, it'll flash to let you know that you may not be able to restart your Jeep after awhile, but if it remains on (with NO flashing), then you DEFINITELY have a problem. You can send your ECU (computer module) to certain companies that will reprogram your ECU to NOT have the "Sentry-Key" feature, but you'll want to unplug the ring inside the ignition key cylinder BEFORE plugging the reprogrammed ECU back in, or else you'll reprogram "Sentry-Key" back into your ECU, as the "SKIM Module" is ALWAYS looking to mate itself to an ECU.

If you DON'T have the "Sentry-Key" system, it could be, as others are saying, a Neutral Safety Switch ("NSS"), which is a common problem on Jeeps of a certain age, and CAN easily be repaired.

Good luck, and I hope you figure out the issue!

-Vince

 

[QUOTE=94zj3You can send your ECU (computer module) to certain companies that will reprogram your ECU to NOT have the "Sentry-Key" feature, but you'll want to unplug the ring inside the ignition key cylinder BEFORE plugging the reprogrammed ECU back in, or else you'll reprogram "Sentry-Key" back into your ECU, as the "SKIM Module" is ALWAYS looking to mate itself to an ECU.

If you DON'T have the "Sentry-Key" system, it could be, as others are saying, a Neutral Safety Switch ("NSS"), which is a common problem on Jeeps of a certain age, and CAN easily be repaired.

Good luck, and I hope you figure out the issue!

-Vince[/QUOTE]

answering a very old post, but good info, someone had this problem recently, re-prorgramed PCM kept resetting to skim

bet that dude would have liked to hear this info then! ..I didnt know

hate skim, none on '96

skim fails are virtual Jeep death over here, you have to rat all the needed parts out of a same year model