bmp120

See my additional note on trouble shooting the relay ... and save yourself a trip to the store if all is working correctly.

NOT starting in Neutral - Definitely sounds like a NSS issue. It might just need to be cleaned or that part of the NSS broke off, but they seem like they are pretty well built. This seems to be a common thing with jeeps.

Again, the problem you describe points to a NSS but having said that mine is clean and relay, starter, ignition seem to be working fine but like you I am getting an infrequent no start. Especially when it is hot. I am still troubleshooting the problem. I am thinking that the wire from the starter relay to the solenoid might have a loise break in it since the relay is tripping pretty much ruling out the iginition switch.

One bit of advise on getting the NSS off that I had to dig hard to find - use a pience of wood as a fulcrum between the transmission casing and the screwdriver to slide the NSS off its rod. One will definitely need to lube the rod with something to get it to break free. Also you will need to recalibrate the NSS usings a voltmeter - not difficult even though it seems to be.

One other thing to check on is the wire that connect the coil and distributor cap. My coil tip litterally wore down and was getting a loose connection between the wire and the tip. You should hear/feel a definite click when the wire goes on just like you do when you put the boot over the spark plug.

Ok, hope all that helps.

bmp120

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL ADDED 4/21/09
One way to see if your relay is working correctly is to put your finger on the top of it to feel if it "clicks" when the key is put into the start position.

bmp120

I am wondering how you wired your switch and what switch you bought - a link would be appreciated. While I probably would not use this as a long term solution. I would like to try your solution in a trouble shooting step. If you could be specific on the where you connected the wires I would appreciate it.

1988cherokee.blogspot.com

It is pretty east to do actually. On the starter relay there is a post labeled "G". There is a green wire attached to it. That wire runs to the starter. If you took the wire off and connect a jumper wire from it to the positive post on the battery the jeep will turn over. If it is an automatic and in park the jeep won't move. If it is a standard and it is in gear prepare to get run over. It should go without saying but...MAKE SURE IT IS IN NEUTRAL!!!! What you are trying to do is bypass the signal from the ignition switch to the relay. I believe that is where the issue is stemming but haven't taken the time to determine that for sure.

To install the actual switch you need to first disconnect the battery terminal. Second locate the starter relay and splice into the green wire with a wire that will run through the firewall and under the dash. Reconnect the green wire to the relay. After splicing into that green wire I ran my wire along the wire harness attaching it with zip-ties then through the fire wall near the brake pedal. I mounted my switch to the right of the steering column under the dash. I used a spring loaded push button switch like a horn switch just smaller. Connect the wire you ran through the firewall to one post on the switch and run another to the fuse box. Using a tester find an empty slot and determine which gets hot when the key is on. Connect the wire to that slot. All that is left is to mount the switch, and reconnect the battery terminals.

When you push the button it should turn over but not start. If you turn the key to the on position and push the button the jeep will start. You need to release the switch when the engine fires or it is like holding the key when the jeep is running. That is all, good luck. Let me know how you fare.

bmp120

Thanks for the detailed information on how you connected the switch. I was thinking a totally differrent way and glad you shared your way as it is much easier.

Having said this, see my next post for what I found out yesterday.

bmp120

So, I found out something about my starting issue yesterday. A new development. As I stated before my rear lights would go on when in Reverse but the car would sometimes not start. Something odd happened yesterday while I was in a dark parking garage at night - the car starter started to engage but then stopped before the car was started. Thought that was odd. CHeck the R lights - on. Tried it again in park and neutral - nothing. Humm, I was pushing through R and noticed the rear lights did not go on ... then they did without me moving the shifter - hummm. Tried moving the shifter around with mixed results seeing the lights go on or not going on ... or going on and then turning off without moving the shifter. I am going to re-align the NSS to see what results that brings.

Here is a tip that I think is, well common sense, but something I had not thought of - park in a dark spot next to something, like another car, or back up close to a wall so one can see what the reverse lights are doing versus getting out and checking them. I would have never noticed the intermittent behavior while not moving the shifter without this.

UpDate 5/27/09
Turns out my NSS was going ... and definitely gone now. I had to buy a new one. All is well now that the new one is installed and aligned. Also, for what it is worth I was having an issue with the torque converter going in and out while driving at 65 mph - one can see a 300 RPM jump - roughly 2000 jumping to 2400 RPM. Fixing the NSS issue also solved the torque converter issue also.

loligator

not to hijack your thread, but just as a follow up to my original post...

I cleaned the NSS and all is well. I did not align it with a volt meter though. I just aligned it via the line on the switch that you're suppose to align the shaft with while the vehicle is in neutral (if that doesn't make sense which I bet it won't I can post a picture). Now the vehicle starts in neutral fine. I'm hoping this fixes the Park starting issue as well (which it should). I also replaced the starter relay for the hell of it (only $10).

Recap of the issue I was having:
Would never start in neutral, almost always in park. Occasionally if I had the vehicle running for only 10 min or so, then turned it off for about 5 to 10 (such as running to store) and tried to restart in park it wouldn't. Running through the gears didn't seem to make any difference. I usually had to wait about 10 min with the ignition off (not sure if that's just a coincidence) then try again from park and the vehicle would usually start. If not, just had to wait another 5 min or so. This whole time my reverse lights worked fine.

chip

I just replaced the heater blower motor and speed control resistor and now my jeep won't start (never at a starting issue before that). I had the lower dash piece that runs the length of the dash off also. After putting everything back together, it would not turn over whatsoever. I went straight to the relay box (under the hood right side) and pulled the starter relay and with the key on I jumped the contacts with a jumper wire and it fired right up. Thinking it was a bad relay, I swapped it with the A/C fan relay (same part #) which is working, ruled out a faulty relay. I seriously think my NSS went south by changing out the heater blower motor. It will start up when you first walk up and turn the key. However, shift it through the gears, put it back in park, shut it off and try to restart, NOTHING. I'm scratching my head as I type!

bmp120

I would trouble shoot the NSS. All I can say is they are a bugger to troubleshoot when intermittent. See some of the earlier posts on this thread for some tips - backup lights go on when in R.

Just to mention it so one can keep an open mind for other issues - jostle the wires when in R to see if you have a wiring issue. All the tips for cleaning the NSS will not help if the wiring has gone South on you.

1988cherokee.blogspot.com

I am so glad that I am not the only one to have this problem. I can honestly say that since I installed the auxillary starting option I have not had one experience where I get the "dead key". I still start it with the button every once in a while just for kicks but the key always works. I agree that it is probably more of a wiring issue than the NSS. The NSS has contacts that can get corroded try spraying some WD40 to loosen up any debris.

93XJRay

I'm having the dead key problem. I'm not getting any lights or buzzing or anything. I do when I jump start it, but its barely cranking at all. You guys think it is the starter relay or switch or we it is? How do I eliminate the possibility that is is the nss? Like I said whether it is in n or p it will not show any lights or anything unless I jump power from another vehicle or portable booster. Thanks. I should mention this is a 96 auto 4x4 4.0 not the 93 in my signature
Also where exactly is the nss located. I've seen a bunch of diagrams but can't pinpoint it. Sorry I'm not really used to the autos yet I've.only really had 5 speeds.

93XJRay

nobody?

tommyis3

Try another battery.

bmp120

Try a new key switch - sounds like that is the issue. I can not remember if a broken startinng relay would generate this not lights. While they are not the easiest to install and the fact that one has to get the new key switch rekeyed it does sound like this is the issue.

redangelracing

can N.S.S. cause transmission not to shift out of low gear or low 1, any help out their before i replace transmission