just got back from the store..and went to leave my in laws..got in my 96 xj and it would not start wouldnt even crank over no clicking nothing...the battery is good lights are bright..and the wires to the starter are tight..it hasnt been acting up this happend all of the sudden..what could this be?

 

mine did that today to i went grabbed a jumper box and wouldnt work went unhooked then it worked i dont know what happened

 

I'm going to try crankshaft position sensor tomorrow see if that works...hopefully thats all it is...I know when it went out in my yj atleast it would turn over and no start..on my xj it wont even turn over!

 

I would not expect it to be a sensor - in my experience most sensor issues at least allow the engine to turn over.

I would start with the most basic - check your oil to make sure the engine is okay, then clean & tighten your battery terminals and check the wiring to the starter, perhaps something is loose. I have had a terminal tight enough to allow lights, radio, etc, but just loose enough that when I tried to start it... nothing.

If that does not help, at least my reply will serve as a bump to your question.

Keith

 

I would try a starter relay before blindly throwing sensors at your Jeep. It might even be something as simple as a bad ground or dirty cable ends. Just because you have lights does not mean you have a good battery. Lights will only pull around 20-25 amps, a starter can pull over 200amps. Now after you varified the battery is good, take a 12 volt test light and connet the clip end to ground and to pointy end to the small terminal on the starter. Now have somebody try and start the engine. Did the light light up? No? Then you have an ignition switch, neutral safety switch, or a relay problem. If it did light up and the starter did not do anything, you have a starter problem. Did you notice I never mentioned the crank sensor? Because a bad crank sensor will not cause a no crank problem.

 

What about the NSS ??? Did you try starting it in neutral? Turning key with left hand while lightly pushing up or pulling down on the shifter.

 

Just fixed it!!...when I checked the power wires going to the starter the other day they seemed fine...under further examination I found that theres only half the wire still intact..like a PO took the starter off and let it drop breaking the wires....looks like I'll be going to pick up new power wire tomorrow....Thank you everyone for your opinions..I appreciate it.