Shifter Start Prevent Switch?
 

I am assuming there is a safety switch that prevents the jeep from starting unless it is in park. I say this because on two separate occasions I have turned the key and nothing.


Moving the shift lever and pushing the button a few times and starts up, adjustments, replacement? Where is the switch located?

I don't know too much but my jeep is doing the same thing, I have not had enough time to look more into it. My guess is the neutral safety switch. I think it's located down on the transmission. Or on the firewall. I think you can take it off and make sure it's clean. Be careful I think they are a little bit of money

The switch is called the neutral safety switch, NSS for short. Its located under the vehicle at the passenger side of the transmission. Do a quick image search or maybe someone will post a pic of it for you

It's worth trying to clean it first, before spending money on replacement. Several write-ups with pics on the internet.
Most tricky part is getting it off the shaft....some do, some don't...well, at least not in one piece.

I found that JeepMan gave us a pretty nice write-up right here in XJ write-ups.

He has a nice trick, looks like he is using the lock-nut and the flange of the tranny to pry/work/tease the thing off. >> https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/cf...sh-how-182998/

Then here are some more> http://go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoNSSrebuild.htm
http://bc4x4.com/tech/2010/jeep-neut...ty-switch-nss/