On the way into work Wednesday the engine shut down 3 times on my 95 XJ (5-speed). Lights and radio stayed on, and the engine started right back up with a turn of the key once the jeep rolled to a stop.

My plan was to clean throttle body and test TPS this weekend. Heading to AutoZone tonight and the Jeep won't even start now. Key in the ignition gives me lights and radio but the engine won't even try to turn. Noticed a tick tick noise from lower drivers side, almost like the noise from turn indicators.

I have the weekend to fix this before work on Monday morning. Anything blatant jump out at you guys?

Took a look under the steering column and saw this wire not plugged into anything…could this be related? Feel like I'm drowning with this jeep.

 

I'd probably start by testing your battery and refreshing all the grounds and connections to the starter. You're original symptoms had me thinking CPS, but that wouldn't cause a no crank situation. Still worth checking with a multimeter.

 

Yeah I'm going to pick up a remote starter and do some trouble shooting on the starter tomorrow. Are starters easy to
Replace if that's the issue?

 

Yeah, starters are easy, but your original symptoms don't indicate starter to me. Its quite possible that your original problems aren't related to the no crank issue, but I would still start with testing your battery and refreshing your grounds. Its easy, its free, and it might solve your problem or at least rule them out as the cause.

 

Stupid question, but when you say refresh your grounds is that as simple as disconnecting and then reconnecting?

 

Disconnect, then take some sand paper, scotch brite, emery cloth, or something else abrasive, and get all the paint, rust, and corrosion off both sides of the connection. Then reconnect. You want nice clean metal to metal connections.

 

Thanks man, I'll give it a shot
Tomorrow morning. Will post an update.

 

Update. Went out there this morning and tried to jump with gf's car, disconnected battery and cleaned terminals, gave the starter a "tap" test with hammer, looked at the starter relay and swapped it out with the AC relay to see if it worked. THEN I checked the fuses under the steering column and found 3 bad ones, a 10, 25, and 30. Went to AutoZone and replaced. Jeep started right up.

Thanks for the help on this, next time I'll check the fuses first.

 

Diagnostics 101. ALWAYS check the simple stuff first, LOL