ok so Friday I got stranded at Walmart after the XJ wouldn't start. Something didnt feel right in the ignition switch so I replaced it with a new one from AAP and it still didn't do anything. I mean NOTHING! It acted like there was no power or anything to start. no cranking no clicking no anything.

so I returned the new ignition switch back to AAP and reinstalled the OEM one.

my buddy came by and turned the key while I jumped the starter and it fired right up. This got me thinking starter. So this morning I pulled the starter and took it to AAP to have tested and it tested good.

I came home and reinstalled and tried to start after checking all connections again....still NOTHING.

checked the battery and its a full 12V and the CCA show good on the tester. this tester didn't give me an actual CCA reading so I dont know exactly what it was....

I have tried starting it in Park and in Neutral and still NOTHING

I have checked the wires from battery to the starter and they all appear good. nothing frayed or split or burned that I can see. I am soaked from working on it right now so I'm inside looking for clues. I'm reading the FSM too.

Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions/ideas?

I'm still sort of leaning toward ignition switch....it just doesn't feel right. Guy at AAP said there is a slide in the column that may not be engaging from the ignition switch.....I'm looking into this now as I have had it happen in a Mustang of mine....

 

if your talking about the 96 in the sig, there is nothing down in the column, it all happens right where the key is.

Its most likely your NSS (neutral safety switch) mine was crazy dirty in my 96 and wouldnt start in park or neutral. take that off and clean that real good. You can clean it yourself and save 150 bux.

 

Yes probably nss. Mine did the exact same thing, might try cleaning it or might be out of adjustment. To readjust loosen the retaining nut, turn the nss all the way clockwise, then retighten.

 

x2, wont hurt to clean either

 

well actually it is a broken ignition cylinder. i need to trust myself more. I noticed and issue with it in the Walmart parking lot and underestimated it. apparently the key cylinder is not making contact with the tumbler and as I turn the key it is turning over the tumbler. I first noticed slop in the key cylinder which is why I was first looking at the ignition as the source.

I adjusted the NSS thinking it was an issue but all I did was make my reverse lights not work. So I have to fix that now.

at the end of the day I can now use a screw driver to turn the tumbler and start/stop the Jeep like normal.

got to get a new key cylinder and replace it then fix the NSS adjustment I made so I have reverse lights.

lesson learned......trust myself a bit more.

 

Have you checked your wiring? (inside- is it hard to bend/feels stiff)

wiring can corrode on the inside and cause the no start with the switch but you can jump the starter symptom

 

my ignition lock cylinder is visibly broken....not engaging the tumbler.

 

jy time

 

the 96 had a cps, right? could be that.

never mind... i went back and saw the update about the cracked cyl....

 

yep....went to a local XJ guy. he let me pull one for $15. 15 minutes later the XJ starts like it should.