Hey guys, pulling my hair out. Okay so i have a 96, 4.0, aw4, 4wd. My battery was dying while the car was off. I found the short (passenger door switch) and fixed it. The jeep has started one time since then. Now it wont crank. The battery tests good, 12.4V, i have power to the starter 12.4v, the starter relay tests out fine, i even took it out of the case and checked the switch, i have bench tested the starter off of the car and it works fine. i know i must be missing a step, looking for some advice.

Just to throw this out there the viper alarm has also been going off non stop since the battery first died.

Thanks ahead of time.

 

Failed NSS,
Failed starter solenoid,
alarm system holding the starter circuit open,
bad or loose wiring or connector,
failed ignition switch,
battery cables, connectors or
engine block ground.
Start by trying it in Neutral and/or while jockeying the shift lever around.
Next measure voltage on the small, third terminal on the starter solenoid. There should be 12 volts there with the key in "start". If there IS, the solenoid (or battery cable feeding it), or starter motor itself is shot.

 

Thanks radi, that's exactly the info I am looking for.
I've tried starting in neutral with no luck.
I was able to make the starter turn over off of the car. Does that rule out a bad solenoid/starter motor?
I'll test the voltage to that terminal and check all connectors and grounds after work.

 

Check your engine ground strap from the firewall to the back of the valve cover. Check all grounds for that matter

 

Try jumping the starter with a screwdriver.