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95 Grand Cherokee ZJ need help finding NSS connector

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Old 03-03-2011, 11:03 AM
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Default 95 Grand Cherokee ZJ need help finding NSS connector

Hi guys,

I bought a 95 ZJ over the weekend. Finally got it on the road and noticed that my reverse lights do not work. After searching online, I've pretty much narrowed it down to the NSS. Did a quick test to see if the Jeep would start when in gear, and it does

I'm afraid it's been bypassed...my problem is that I can't for the life of me find the connector in the engine bay for it! I'm looking on the passenger side of the engine bay, towards the rear of the engine. I don't see any wires coming up from the transmission area...let alone any connectors in that area that have as many wires as pictures i've found online.

All the pics in the how to's i've found online look like the pic below. I don't believe that's a 95 cherokee because my engine bay does not look like that.

Can anyone tell me where I should be looking? I'll snap a pic of my engine bay a little later.

My biggest issue is getting the backup lights working...I won't be able to pass inspection without them

Old 03-03-2011, 11:10 AM
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It's on the left side of the transmission, it's a round three wire plug that is right over the pan next to the rear cooler line.
Old 03-03-2011, 12:40 PM
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For an XJ, that is absolutely the NSS plug.

Like BB said, get under it, find the NSS on the passenger's side of the trans and follow the wires. They'll lead you to the plug.
Old 03-03-2011, 01:02 PM
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So on the ZJ it's only 3 wires? does anyone have a pinout for the connector? it seems everything i've managed to find online is for the XJ, which is confusing the heck out of me lol

can you tell me what wires to jump just to test that the backup lights work?

i hope whoever worked on this thing didn't cut the connector off and hack into the harness to bypass it :/
Old 03-03-2011, 01:37 PM
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I think if you jumper the two wires on the right and left sides of the connector, the reverse lights should come on.
Old 03-03-2011, 02:48 PM
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you wouldn't happen to know which wires need to be jumped to bypass it would you? i'm gonna try and get under the truck in the morning. it'll be dark by the time i get home.

this is the only pinout i can find online:



you're saying the 95 is only 3 wires?

i hate to be a pain, but could i trouble you for a picture of yours? it's really help me out.
Old 03-03-2011, 05:16 PM
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here are the pics i took of the area where it should be today:









Old 03-03-2011, 10:17 PM
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Look on the driver side of the transmission, above the pan, and next to the rear cooler line, that is where the neutral safety switch is.
Old 03-03-2011, 10:28 PM
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yeah, i've been googling for the last hour or so...it seems the 93.5+ grand cherokee's have the 42RE transmission?

i guess this is the part i'm looking for then? ( i hope so because it's $10 vs $200!)



also, would this part going bad make the car able to start while in gear?

EDIT: do i really have to change the transmission fluid to fix this??

Last edited by TGO; 03-03-2011 at 10:35 PM.
Old 03-03-2011, 11:06 PM
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That is the switch. You see it in this picture.

Old 03-03-2011, 11:17 PM
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yeah i guess that's it...i'm kinda glad it's a cheap part in this case, but, i'm kinda pissed that i have to change the transmission fluid too! bah!
Old 03-04-2011, 12:17 PM
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Just jack the left side of the Jeep, you will lose some fluid, just top off the level when you're done.
Old 03-04-2011, 06:55 PM
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sweet. i was gonna ask, because the transmission has recently been overhauled, if i could get away with not draining the trans. even if i had to get one of those dipstick oil changer things.
Old 03-26-2011, 09:39 AM
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Default Thanks for all the info

Really appreciate the pics and advise. I too have the 42RE transmission and have been having a hell of a time finding info on the NSS. It seems everything on the web is for the AW4 Trasmission. Really appreciate it.
Old 03-26-2011, 08:23 PM
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This will show you which wires to jump to test the switch. Just scroll down to find the index or what you need.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/10078577/J...iring-diagrams-

I believe your shift linkage between the floor shifter and the trans linkage needs to be adjusted. That can cause the issues you're having. IMO


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