I have a ticking noise at idle that goes away when the engine gets hot and increases until around 1500 rpm. I am pretty sure its not a rod knock, could it be a lifter tick or the flex plate making noise?

 

Correct, when I turn the key and it doesn't start there's absolutely nothing.

 

Yeeeeaaaah that's not your fuel pump lol

Time to check the starter relay under the hood

 

Gets pipe cutter, some 1/2" hose and some screw clamps, cut it off and put it back together with the hose and clamps. I just did mine and I could get it to rotate back and forth about a quart turn. Spent about and hour and a half trying to get the thing apart. Used pb and heat to I thought for sure since it would rotate around the o ring it would come off. Finally tried putting all my weight on it and busted the mount. Tried for a while after that to get it apart too. I have no idea how it could still have been so strongly stuck together. Less than 5 minutes with the pipe cutter and hose clamps and I was back in business.

It's a really really fine screen. I used almost 2 cans of brake cleaner and I still couldn't get everything out of the mesh. For 2-3x the price of the brake cleaner and 1/10th the time I'd probably get a filter next time.

 

Tapping the relay makes no difference, although I may replace it just for good measure.

 

At least I get clicking in the junction block area

This all sounds really familiar...

Edit: I'll leave this here: https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/99-...9/#post3269874

Tried jiggling the shifter right?

 

It's definitely not random, it's every time I try to start it and started happening after it sat for a few days while I was out of town.

 

If after you simply cycle the ignition switch it starts, I would strongly suspect the switch itself is bad.

 

It could also be a failing CPS, but I think that's less likely given the symptoms

 

That was my initial assumption, especially considering the number of cycles it takes is totally inconsistent. The bottom of the column is missing so I'm not sure if that means the PO replaced it or was trying to chase down an issue.

 

Don't you give me that kind of heart attack!

 

Hey so I want to use a factory fog light switch for my grill lights. Two questions:

I have a blank spot on my panel that looks ready for a switch. Do I just cut the blank part out and the switch just locks in?

As far as the wiring, it looks like the switch has a spot in the back for an electrical connector. Where can I get the connector with a pig tail? Junk yard is last option for me. I don't have one near by or the time to go.

 

Bad CPS causing a no crank? This isn't Facebook

 

Swap it with another relay.

 

Valid point. I shouldn't give tech advice without sleep