My 2001 XJ has been having a hard time starting the past few days. When the key is turned the lights and power come on in the Jeep but it doesn't even attempt to turn over. I took it to Autozone to have the battery, alternator, and starter tested. The guy who tested it was able to jump the starter by doing the screwdriver trick. He believed the non-starting is an issue with the ignition wiring.

I'm starting to think that it is the neutral safety switch. I got home and tried to start it again and nothing happened. I shifted to neutral and tried again and it fired right up. Also, there is a check engine light that has come on since visiting Autozone which makes me think it's more likely a NSS issue but I haven't had a chance to go have the code read.

Am I on the right track of the NSS causing the problems or do you think the problem has something to do with the starter or ignition wires?

Thanks for your input.

 

would agree w/ the nsswitch makes sense

 

x2

 

It sounds exactly like the symptoms of my NSS. If you're handy, it's not a difficult job and taking it out and repairing it is a lot less expensive than replacing it.

 

Always get the codes when a check engine light is on.

Critical to the troubleshooting process.

Post the "exact" code number(s) here for comment.

 

Thanks for your opinions. I bought an OBD II scanner to pull the codes and it should be here Saturday when I will have the time to clean the NSS if I need to. Hopefully the code will be the transmission code I have seen that correlates to the NSS acting up.

 

there was a recall on the nss for my 92 cherokee, not sure if that applies to other years but the dealer replaced mine fo free

 

Bump. I'm wondering if I have the same problem. It used to happen once a month- I'd move the shifter a bit, turn the key on and off, and it would start after 1-5 tries. Now it's getting REALLY bad, about 50% of the times it takes a few tries, sometimes dozens. I've had it start right after pounding on the column repeatedly. Today it almost started, then died. I've never had that happen before. Guy parked next to me heard a "pop like it was in gear." I played with the shifter and it started, so nothing is consistent. It's a 2000 Cherokee Limited, automatic.

Any good links on how to replace the NSS? I'm new to Jeeps.

 

x2 on the good links for replaceing the NSS.

 

Well the good news is if you ever get stuck somewhere the NSS is very easy to bypass. Just cut and loop the 2 black wires together.

 

When mine got bad and before I got around to disassembling and reconditioning it, I used to turn the key to the on position and jump the starter solenoid with a screwdriver. Just make sure you're in park or neutral if you use the jump the starter method.