Went to start my cherokee today. Thought had drained battery since it started earlier when moved. Had to turn key, throw in n and she vranked over. Could this be n safety switch?

 

Good chance it's the n/s switch. First sign of a problem on my '96 was no backup lights. Next was a problem like yours. If it's the original and never been serviced it's time. The grease in mine was near solid.

 

is it inside shifter column cover or on transmission?

 

On the transmission.


http://www.xjtalk.com/showthread.php?t=1747




You got backup lights?

 

If the NSS is bad then the engine will try to turn over but won't. If it's your NSS that's bad, then you won't be able to get your Jeep to fire.

 

Incorrect, sir.

If the NSS is bad, it will not engage the starter whatsoever. It acts just as it would if your transmission was in gear and you tried to start it.

That being said, it's possible to just clean the NSS instead of replacing it. They seldom actually go "bad", they just become gunked up and the dielectric grease becomes contaminated causing them to fail.

Use the link above to clean it, or look up Bleepin Jeep on youtube, he has a video on how to clean it.

 

thank you basslicks for the links. You are correct to that it acted as if i had no electrical power.

 

thank you for the link. I'll check for reverse lights. I think i seen on a thread about something to do with them just cannot remember

 

thanks for the link. I'll have to check for r lights. I'm gonna service it either way since i have to service all fluids. Coolant, tranny, diff, oil etc

 

watched the bleepin jeep video today. Gna attempt next weekend since i have to replace rear seal in tranny. Might do pan gasket but not the filter. Heard it's not worth it n filler tube is a b to get off.

 

Yup. If you find the filter is really filthy, you can soak it in tranny fluid and then clean it with brake parts cleaner and blow it off with air. in all reality though, new tranny fluid will clean it anyway.

As far as the tube goes, heat it up with a heat gun and you'll have better luck.