Starting issues, 99 Cherokee Sport 4.0L
Soo the other day as i was trying to leave home, i get in my car and it starts up with no issues. I had forgot something, turned off the car and when i came back and tried to start my car nothing happened. I've taken the starter out and tested it and it was fine. Checked all the fuses and relays, no problems.Tried to start in neutral, nothing. Checked all the wires and grounds and cleaned them, still nadda. I've also tried jumping her off and no change. The only thing have not tried yet is charging the battery but i don't think that to be the problem since it doesn't seem like its pulling anything from the battery anyway. When i turn the key all i hear is a click from the interior fuse box and the radio and blower motor cuts too. Please if anyone knows what i can do let me know cause i can't figure out the issue
CF Veteran


Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 417
From: Connecticut
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran


Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 417
From: Connecticut
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
What's the warranty on the battery? Batteries use up product (lead and sulfuric acid) and the warranty tends to match the life of the product. You can get more life if you take REAL good care of it, and shorten it considerably if abused (like letting it go dead when it's 10 below a few times or taking only short trips).
CF Veteran


Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 155
From: Northern CT
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Turbo 4.0
So you have power to everything and turning the key to start kills everything? Yes measure your voltage but you tried jumping with no luck? Makes me think the neutral safety switch if it's an auto.
With the key to start and the vehicle in park wiggle the shift selector up and down without depressing the button that releases the selector from park.
With the key to start and the vehicle in park wiggle the shift selector up and down without depressing the button that releases the selector from park.
Trending Topics
CF Veteran


Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 417
From: Connecticut
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran


Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 155
From: Northern CT
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Turbo 4.0
Swap the ASD with another. Slim chance both are bad. Just because you are in neutral doesnt rule it out. Why not bypass it entirely at the harness? Couple alligator clips and a wire.
edit: nothings changed ):
i hear a fuse in the interior box and the relay click when I turn the key, I’m completely stumped here
Last edited by Brown_dirt; Mar 22, 2019 at 09:42 AM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 93
From: Syracuse, NY
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
ASD relay status will not keep the vehicle from engaging the starter. No need to go that route yet.
Regarding the blower fan and radio, do these items that turn off when you turn the key turn back on once the key is released (back into the run position)? If they do, the likely candidate is NSS. If they don't, the likely candidate is bad electrical connections/wiring - particularly at the battery terminals.
Jump the NSS now to rule it in/out. (x2 on Cummins93 suggestion above)
Regarding the blower fan and radio, do these items that turn off when you turn the key turn back on once the key is released (back into the run position)? If they do, the likely candidate is NSS. If they don't, the likely candidate is bad electrical connections/wiring - particularly at the battery terminals.
Jump the NSS now to rule it in/out. (x2 on Cummins93 suggestion above)
CF Veteran

Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 26
From: North canaan Connecticut
Year: 01, 99, 98, 98,98
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Could be a bad starter. But it also sounds like an issue with the connection to the battery. I’ve had times where I was sure they were tight but still were not tight enough. Or one of the cables may be shot. Do you still have factory cable clamps or are they the cheap replacements? May be some corrosion between the posts and clamps or in the cables.


