Joeymb95

I have a 98 xj
Sometimes when i go to start, it wont even turn over. Other times it may turn over for a second then stop. So far Ive replaced the following:

Spark plugs
Wires
Distributer cap
Starter
Checked the battery too. No issues there. Also tried shifting to see if it was the Nuetral safety switch and it didnt work.

Any help is apreciated

RTorrez1

Start by cleaning ALL of the grounding points. Not just the battery but all of them. That would consist of both battery cables, battery to fender, oil dipstick, rear of the head to the fire wall, 2 wires at the ignition coil. Also if your starter has oil on it remove it and clean the cable connections along with the mounting area to the block. That is also a ground point. Also clean the connections to the alternator. What ever you do, Don't just check the but make sure to clean them until they are nice and shinny. Use a wire brush or a piece of sand paper. Give that a try and let us know if it helps.

tjwalker

1. Follow RTorrez suggestions out of the gate. Basics first and that includes connections and grounds. Every single one of them. Grounds can be the root cause of many electrical "gremlins".

2. You mentioned that you tried moving the shift lever while starting and it didn't help. That was a good idea, but it does NOT mean that the neutral safety switch isn't involved; it still could be.....here is a link on how to "refurbish" that switch.

http://bc4x4.com/tech/2010/jeep-neut...ty-switch-nss/

Roler

Robert and TJ have given some excellent advice on how to tackle this issue. So start with that.
Like was mentioned, the NSS can fail in different ways and intermittent starting issues can well be related to this. Take it off and cleaning it (write ups available) is a good thing, to tick the box.
Another intermittent issue with starting can be a CPS thats bad. Notorious to fail at some point during it's life. Get a good quality one (like dealer), yes a bit more $$, but worth the less headache with cheapies.

Long story short, several causes can be in play, so basics first and otherwise we'll dive in some more diagnostics. No starts are usually related to no spark, no fuel, or combination, or no compression (which is less likely here)

Let us know please how you go with all the above advice and we'll go from there.

EdZ

I'm thinking possibly a starter relay gone bad... Should be another relay in the fuse box (under the hood) that is the same part #... Just swap it with the other relay and see if the issue continues...

Joeymb95

Sorry i forgot to mention i changed the starter relay too

EdZ

Did you check the battery voltage while cranking the engine over... Ya can just pull the fuel pump fuse to prevent it from starting before ya get a good reading... Crank it over (if it will) for 5 or 6 seconds and take a reading while cranking... It is possible for a battery to show good voltage when not under a load, but fail miserably when a load is on it...

Bustedback

Start with Edz advice first. 12volts don't mean squat without a load on the battery. My battery had a static reading of 12.5 volts, as soon as I put a load (not the radio or headlights, a real load like the starter) on it, the battery dropped to less than 5 volts.

BimmerJeeper

No Start Checklist

NOT CRANKING

1. Check battery voltage (12V)
2. Clean/tighten battery terminals. (Loose and/or corroded?)
3. Check Gear Selector (Make sure you're in Park)
4. Neutral Safety Switch (Try to start in Neutral, not Park)
5. Is starter getting power? (With the key in the ON position, check for approximately full battery voltage at the starter.)
6. Starter (Hit with hammer)
7. Starter (Jump with screwdriver. Connect 2 highest bolts. 1 small. 1 big)
8. Starter Motor Fuse #19 (Kick panel: Fuse #19 (10A red))
9. Starter Motor Fuse #10 (Engine Bay Fuse Box (PDC). Fuse #10. See diagrams)
10. Starter Motor Relay (Engine Bay Fuse Box (PDC). “Cube” relay at end of fusebox)
11. Ignition Switch (Turn on the blower motor fan on for your heater with your key in the 'run' position. Turn the key to the 'start' position... the fan should turn off as it trys to crank over, indicating a good ignition switch.)

CRANKS, BUT NO START

1. Is gas tank empty?
2. Fuel pressure. 48psi (+/- 5psi). Listen for Fuel Pump?
3. Fuel pump relay (Engine Bay Fuse Box (PDC). Fuse #22. See diagrams)
4. Ignition fuse (Kick panel: Fuse #11 (20A))
5. Check for spark.
6. Bad spark plugs?
7. Bad Distributor, Cap, Wires?
8. Crank Position Sensor (CPS)
9. Bad coil pack?
10. Bad ECU?
11. Testing the TPS
12. IAC, TPS, CPK, MAP Failure Symptoms

Engine Bay Fuse Box (PDC)


Kick Panel Fusebox


Misc reading:
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/non...writeup-71401/
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/lon...8/#post2182489
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/p...l#post10006643
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/p...9/#post7683626
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=101119
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/b.../#post14517948

RTorrez1

Now this is a good post for the No Start.
I think I will keep this one.