I bought an EXTREMELY used 92 Sport. The PO had installed a wire with an alligator clip on it to one side of the solenoid and informed me it was used to start the jeep when the NSS acted up, all I had to do was touch the clip to the positive battery terminal.
I had been planning on fixing it, but went ahead and installed a horn button in the circuit temporarily so I could start it from inside even when the NSS acted up. This method was working fine until a couple weeks ago when the jeep died while driving down the highway.
I ID'd the problem as a completely shot cap and rotor, (they fell apart when I pulled the cap off), and replaced both.
The problem is that I still get NOTHING when I turn the key, and all it does when I hit the button is cycle the starter.
My specific question is this, with the setup I have will the NSS have any effect on whether or not the jeep starts? I can take it apart and clean it, (it obviously needs it anyway), but don't want to risk breaking it entirely if my issue with the jeep not starting isn't related.
Again, the solenoid is basically jumpered out at this point, just like doing the screwdriver trick, so if I understand the function of the NSS correctly it should have no effect on whether the jeep starts or not, true?

 

By the way, I do realize there are many reasons why it may not be starting, and am going to be working through them, I am just looking specifically to eliminate the NSS, and the jerry rigging of it, as a possibility.

 

It would be best to get rid of the kluged together "fix", you know this, but as far as the NSS playing a part in your no-start, it's unlikely. The NSS doesn't interrupt spark or fuel, just the starter motor. That doesn't mean the PO's fancy alligator clips and sundry wires to bypass said NSS haven't blown some important fuses that do provide power to things that make the spark plugs work and/or fuel flow.

Test for spark, check for fuel pressure and check out some of the recent NSS threads where suggestions are given for removing even the most stubborn NSS without hurting it.

 

Thanks F1, that's what I needed to know, now I can finish troubleshooting this thing through "normal" channels, (fuel, air, spark), without delving into transmission internals, at least until I can get her started again.

 

I recently bought a 1991 cheap because the guy couldnt get it started. Jumped the wires for the NSS and started it and drove away. There is a plug just to the left (passenger) side of motor up by the firewall. Take the two black wires in the middle of the plug label B and C and jumper them. This permanently overrides the NSS.