No Start after Fill up, no crank. NSS clean
Seasoned Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 454
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From: East Texas
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Logic would say yes but it depends on the type of failure. If it is fails where there is no current draw then no. I added this because OP says they push it and it starts. It could be a mechanical type failure.
Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
can always take the starter out and have it tested at most auto parts stores. that was the first thing i did for trouble shooting my issues. it actually isn't that bad to take off, other than the fact that there was 4 diff size bolts holding it on, heh.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 889
Likes: 2
From: Detroit, MI
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
What is the "NSS"? I searched and the system won't come up with examples...even though I'm sitting here staring at NSS on the screen, the search engine can't find it. Weird.
Anyway, what does the acronym mean?
Anyway, what does the acronym mean?
Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
From: A curiously warm handbasket
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
The linkage for the NSS is internal on the trans on an AW4. The switch itself can come out of adjustment though. If the shifter linkage wasn't fully in park, I'd imagine it would roll. If it doesn't then I'd say it's in park. 
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 972
Likes: 12
From: south bend indiana
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0 i six H.O.
well if you havnt already, check your fuel pump relay,auto shutdown relay and starter relay with a meter. haynes or chiltons fix-it books should show you how to do it. if i remember correctly, when you touch 2 of the posts for ohm's it should read about 75,76,77,78. anything higher or lower i would put a new one in. or the numbers keep going up and down the scale, requires a new one. i replaced 2 under the hood and 2 under the dash because the numbers werent right.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
Don't mess with the NSS right now. You need to do one simple test to determine starter problem or electrical problem.
First, you need to start with clean and tight battery cables at battery, ground, and starter. The battery should be fully charged and you should have it load tested to see if it is good. With a volt meter take a voltage reading of the battery
Now, the test. Go to the starter and disconnect the thin wire that connects to the starter solenoid. All the other cables on starter are thick battery cables. Connect a volt meter to this wire. Have a helper turn the ignition to start. Each time you turn the switch to start you should read battery voltage. It will be around 12 volts depending on condition of battery. Do this a few times to see if you have an intermittent condition. The engine will not turn over since the wire is disconnected.
If you DO read battery voltage each time, then the problem is the starter/ solenoid. If you DO NOT read battery voltage, the problem is electrical and more tests are required. In this case the problem is a bad starter relay, bad ignition switch, bad NSS or a wiring problem. Usually it is the NSS.
All the NSS does is provide a path to ground when the transmission is in park or neutral. This allows the starter relay to energize and the starter starts turning the engine.
What you may have is a failing starter. When you drive the car and it heats up, it fails to start. Just a possiblility. When the engine fails to start again, hit it with a mallet or hammer and try to start again. This may just shock it into starting and you may have found your problem.
Don't hit it too hard, you don't want to damage the starter, just vibrate it some with the impact.
First, you need to start with clean and tight battery cables at battery, ground, and starter. The battery should be fully charged and you should have it load tested to see if it is good. With a volt meter take a voltage reading of the battery
Now, the test. Go to the starter and disconnect the thin wire that connects to the starter solenoid. All the other cables on starter are thick battery cables. Connect a volt meter to this wire. Have a helper turn the ignition to start. Each time you turn the switch to start you should read battery voltage. It will be around 12 volts depending on condition of battery. Do this a few times to see if you have an intermittent condition. The engine will not turn over since the wire is disconnected.
If you DO read battery voltage each time, then the problem is the starter/ solenoid. If you DO NOT read battery voltage, the problem is electrical and more tests are required. In this case the problem is a bad starter relay, bad ignition switch, bad NSS or a wiring problem. Usually it is the NSS.
All the NSS does is provide a path to ground when the transmission is in park or neutral. This allows the starter relay to energize and the starter starts turning the engine.
What you may have is a failing starter. When you drive the car and it heats up, it fails to start. Just a possiblility. When the engine fails to start again, hit it with a mallet or hammer and try to start again. This may just shock it into starting and you may have found your problem.
Don't hit it too hard, you don't want to damage the starter, just vibrate it some with the impact.
Ok Update....
I took out the batt, cleaned the posts, put fresh clamps on the batt cables. Battery reads 13 Volts standing still, and 10.5 Volts when cranking.... so I think battery is OK
Went ahead and took a better look at the NSS this time I sanded down the connections with a fine paper (something I didnt do last time I cleaned it) and now they are like a new penny.
I put everything back together and no problems so far....
I did notice a change after all of this.....
now when I start it up, cold or hot the thing doesn't idle high at the beginning.... it just idles as if it had been running all day...
Weird....
Anyways if It doesnt leave my GF stranded in a weeks time I'll post the bathing suit pics...
Last edited by 1000jeep; Jun 7, 2010 at 09:08 AM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
Okay guys so its been more than a couple of weeks, and no more issues, maybe the NSS needed a better cleaning? who knows but its working fine now..
As promissed I will post a pic of the GF maybe this afternoon
