Won't Start
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I went to start my jeep after work today and could tell that it was a little weak to start but it started and i drove home. Went to start it up about a hour later and it wont start. The interior lights work, radio works and when i go to start it the engine shows fulls strength. I had a starter installed about a year ago. Any ideas at what I should look at?
Thanks
Thanks
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 994
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From: Bowie, MD
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
What do you mean by the engine shows full strength? Does it turn over? If nothing is happening when you turn the key but all electronics are fine, it's most likely your NSS.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 994
Likes: 0
From: Bowie, MD
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
I don't mean to sound like a jackass lol, but typically when you turn your key and all the electronics check out fine, but nothing else happens, it's your Neutral Safety Switch, as in that's the test lol. I believe you can try shifting it back and forth into neutral and back to park and try again? I also THINK your reverse lights tie into it somehow? See if those are coming on or not? If not, it's your NSS. Someone else will hopefully chime in who knows more.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I just tried switching it from park to neutral and back and also shaking the shifter. My reverse lights do come on. When i turn the ignition switch i hear a click and that is all.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 4
From: Riviera, Texas
Year: 1998 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Since you did say that it was a weak start I would think it would possibly be your battery and or alternator. Like Muaddid420 said take your battery in and have a load test done on it. If that checks out have your alternator bench tested.
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CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 4
From: Riviera, Texas
Year: 1998 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Yes Sir. That would be the best way to have them checked out. Out of the vehicle so they can load test the battery and bench test the alt. Once you have them checked out let us know what you find out. That way if you are still having problems we can go from there. Good Luck.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 813
Likes: 1
From: Lansing, MI
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
It doesn't matter how old your starter is, it could still be your starter. Especially if you bought a cheap one. I put a starter in my friend's car for him and a week later we got stranded at the bar because it was a junk starter, brand new out of the box.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 994
Likes: 0
From: Bowie, MD
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Before you take the starter out, "gently" bang on it (that sounds like an oxymoron doesn't it lol) with a hammer, and try starting it again. This is obviously not a fix, but you can get a starter that is going bad to engage this way. If you bang on the starter and the Jeep starts, it's your starter.
There are alot worse places to be stranded, at least you had plenty of refreshments. lol
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I have been reading other posts and was wondering about the starter relay. How do i go about checking to see if this is good or bad without buying a new one?



