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wont start

Old 06-29-2011, 03:39 PM
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Hey everybody. I just bought an 89 4.0 L6 4x4 Laredo. It has several issues I'm working on but I've been able to drive it. Today my son and I pulled into the gas station, shut it off went in grabbed a drink, came back out turned the key and absolutely nothing. Wouldn't crank or turn over. First I made sure it was completely in park but kept getting the same result. Turn the key and I hear 1 click and then nothing. I have a brand new battery just a few months old. Jeep is still sitting at station does anyone have a clew what I should look at first. I've got to get this thing back home. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Old 06-29-2011, 03:43 PM
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I had the same thing check your battery terminals for corrosion bang them around a little bit and see if itll start
Old 06-29-2011, 04:21 PM
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I was having the same issue intermittantly on my 89. It was the neutral safety switch on the side of the trans. Put it in neutral and it started. I have since replaced the neutral switch and i have had no more issues.
Old 06-29-2011, 04:29 PM
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Could also be starter and/or solenoid.

Bang around on it moderately and see if it will start. If it does, don't shut it off until you get it home!
Old 06-30-2011, 08:30 AM
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These guys are right, I'm having the same issue, I tap on the starter & she starts right up. It could also be the NSS, put it in neutral & kinda push the shifter forward & or back while turning the key. Mine had that problem for a long time, I just recently pulled it off, took it apart, cleaned it up & slapped it back on. Easy fix, took about 2 hours. That's when I found out the problem was my Starter. But now I have reverse lights, YAY ... & gonna change the starter & battery this weekend.

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Old 06-30-2011, 10:33 AM
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Ok thanks guys still broke down. Pulled the starter and took to shop and it tested good. Looks somewhat new too. So I purchased the darter relay which looked bad or old still no good. I have tapped on the starter, put it in nuetral and tried every which way and still 1 click and then nothing. When I turn the key or have someone turn it you can hear the click at the relay by the battery which I just replaced. Can the ignition switch be the prob or does the fact that the relay clicks mean the switch is working. The ignition switch is 10 bucks the NSS is 260.00. More of your thoughts please you guys haven't let me down yet.

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Old 06-30-2011, 11:04 AM
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Check the wire between the relay and the starter! Could be corroded like mine
Old 06-30-2011, 11:36 AM
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Cleaned all connections from battery terminals to starter to relay with wire brush and cleaner and put on a brand new fresh out of the box relay

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Old 06-30-2011, 11:39 AM
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My first post today says darter relay and I don't know what that is. Its supposed to say starter relay.

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Old 06-30-2011, 12:13 PM
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Also if parts store tests the starter and it worked does that mean its good or should I still tap on it

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Old 06-30-2011, 12:34 PM
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i had this same problem a little while back check the realy just under the steering wheel area its best to remove the lower dash section and make sure its plugged in all mine did was become slightly un connected so i pushed it back in and bam was back to normal
Old 06-30-2011, 01:20 PM
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Sounds like the fault is somewhere between the relay and the starter.
Old 06-30-2011, 01:21 PM
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Originally Posted by onmyonly
Check the wire between the relay and the starter! Could be corroded like mine
Yep, that wire could have too much resistance due to internal corrosion.
Old 06-30-2011, 02:29 PM
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Alrighty I'm gonna try replacing that whole wire. I hope that's what it is and not the NSS. I'll let you guys know

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Old 06-30-2011, 03:07 PM
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Here, this is for you OP:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/non...writeup-71401/

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