96 XJ 4.0 automatic

Just this morning I started my jeep up and drove to the store, when I returned to my jeep, I couldnt start the engine. I called AAA who tried to jump it, to no avail, then they just towed it back home.

When i turn the ignition nothing happens, no noises and the engine does not turn. (The lights, stereo, power windows etc. do work.) However, later this afternoon I was able to successfully start the engine on my first try. Immediately after I shut the engine off, I could not start it again.

I'm not very mechanically inclined, does anyone have any suggestions/advice? Any help is very appreciated! Thanks!

 

Could be a faulty ignition switch or starter.

 

Checking your grounds might not be a bad idea either.

 

Could be a bad neutral safety switch. Next time it won't turn over in park try putting it in neutral and see if it turns over.

 

It still doesn't turn over in neutral. Does this rule out the NSS? How would I be able to diagnose between a bad ignition switch and starter? Thank you guys!

 

I'm not sure of the Cherokee design as I've never had to look at mine...and sorry my Cherokee is not near me at the moment...

Anyway I've seen this before and what was happening was the key switch slid a rod that went into an electrical switch about halfway down the steering column. Well that switch housing was mounted on slides and had slid down, power worked but no start...all I had to do was loosen the switch housing and slid it a little towards the steering wheel and it worked perfect again. Check and see if yours has this switch design.

 

my bet would be on the starter solenoid, did you try hitting the starter a few times the starting it?

 

It could still be. If all the electronics are working then its obviously not a bad battery. You can bypass it I think. Just to see if it will start without it. Have your reverse lights ever stopped working? They are also controlled by the NSS. If it is indeed a bad NSS try to pull it off and clean it. Its much cheaper and not to hard. I did it and I barely am mechanically inclined. Look for a write up. You'll find a decent amount of good ones.

 

-Reverse lights do work. I guess it wouldn't hurt to clean out the neutral switch anyway.

-Hitting the starter a couple times did work. I tried this a few times and it worked each time, though i dont know if thats just a coincedence.

I live in an apartment, so id have to take my car to a friends house to work on it, which is why im lagging on trying to take anything apart yet. I've read up on changing ignition switches, starters, and nss switches and I'm thankful that none of them seem to be too difficult to do myself.

 

How does your starter look, Is it covered in oil? If so that could be one of the problems. Also check the wires to the starter and make sure everything is nice and tight including the starter mounting bolts.

 

try hitting with hammer while some one turns key to start position and holds it there if it start replace the starter its that smple

replace the starter or your not gonna get to the freinds house to do it .

 

You've got your answer, change the starter the solenoid is bad.

 

If your starter is covered in oil try cleaning it out before you replace it. You gotta take it out anyways.

http://jeep-xj.info/HowtoStarterClean.htm

Saved me $120. I had the same symptoms.

 

120.00 buy older starte and change the terminal connector woulda saved 60.00 of that ...just saying...https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/87...rite-up-88369/

 

thanks for all the help guys. I was hoping it'd be just the ignition switch, but the starter is pretty nasty, I'll be sure to try to clean it before i start spending money. thanks again