Hi Folks,
I was given a 1997 Jeep Cherokee recently by my sister, and when I sent it through MD inspection it failed, due to a bad neutral safety switch since the tester could start the car in any gear (it is an automatic). Rather than pay the $400 they quoted for a new NSS, I bought one for $45 from eBay and installed it my self. Easy installation as it appeared the switch had been replaced in the recent past. Problem is...the car will still start in any gear! I did try rotating the switch back and forth but no change. Do you think the eBay switch is crap? It looked like a factory part but who knows? Could there be a bypass somewhere that avoids the NSS? I thought a separate button or switch was required for that? Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

Is it possible someone put a jumper wire at the connection and just reconnected the harness? I'd check that first before moving to other possibilities.

 

Thanks but no jumper wire at the connector. I will check for any odd looking wiring in the engine compartment as well.


Is there a test procedure for the NSS, i.e., which terminals should have continuity for the different shift positions? I was thinking of testing my new and old NSS off the car.

 

Just found a NSS wiring diagram online so I will test my two switches and see if they are the problem.

 

Success! Both old and new NSS tested okay. I disconnected the NSS completely and car would still start so figured there must be a bypass as Orlo suggested. Finally discovered a black wire from the PDU attached to ground via a crimp on terminal, removed it, and everything works as designed.

 

Ah ha! Someone couldn't fix it right so they rigged it. The good news is that you now have a spare NSS. good job tracing the issue.