I am having an intermittent starting problem with my 98 xj. When I attempt to start I get all the dash lights and gauges operating but nothing else. No clicking or anything that would resemble the jeep trying to start. I have to turn the ignition off and on multiple times at which some point it will start. It will be fine for a couple of days and then do the same thing.

My F150 sometimes does the same thing once in a blue moon but it is because it wasn't completely in park. The jeep is securing locked in park. Any ideas on possible problems?

 

Search neutral safety switch
Although someone may post the fix

 

Thanks for the quick reply. After a little reading, no reverse lights is a symptom as well? How difficult is the fix? I usually do all of my own repairs.

 

Looking at replacement parts on AutoZone.com. One part is $20.99 for transmission model 30RH. The other part is $260.99 for transmission model AW4. How do I determine which transmission model?

 

It's the aw4 for the cherokee. All you have to do is take the nss off and clean it. $260 is insane

 

Figures. And yeah no **** it is insane!

 

Where is it located?

 

It's mounted to the passenger side of the transmission with a harness plug that runs up to the passenger side of the engine bay. They can be a bear to get off but rebuilding is pretty straight forward. Here's one of the best rebuild write-ups out there...

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

 

Thank you so much for the link! Gigantic help!!!!

 

Would this cleaner be OK to clean the NSS? Can't seem to locate CRC switch cleaner in the link. If not, any recommended cleaners?

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=128435_0_0_

 

Ok, so I worked on it for an hour and couldn't get it off. I pried on the retaining nut as suggested in the write up and it seems to be stuck on the valve shaft and wouldn't budge. At one point the retaining nut slipped threads a little and from there on out I was worried I would damage the threads. I hit the threads and shaft with WD40 and let them soak a little but nothing. Any other suggestions?

 

Try PB Blast on it.

 

The cleaner you linked will work fine.

Another member posted a genius idea a while back- use a couple of tapered wood shims behind the NSS, one on each side. Gently tap one side then the other, the shims will work the switch forward and pop it loose.

 

While that idea sounds good it's so tight in there I can't picture how would fit anything up there.