1993 JGC When you turn the key to start there is no spring resistance and it just rotates to a place where the power comes on with lights on the dashboard. I leave it in the position and then jumped the solenoid on the starter to battery and it starts and runs fine. Actually ran a wire from the solenoid terminal to a position by the battery so I can lift the hood and start the car!!
I now replaced the ignition electronic module that the key cylinder fits into and nothing changed.
I have a choice, try replacing the key cylinder assembly with new keys, OR is there something in the steering column that provides spring back to allow you to start the engine?
I am hoping it is just the key cylinder but if not then I will just have to wire a switch under the dash to start the car...do not want to tear apart the steering column and mess with that. This is an old car with lots of miles and just a daily driver.
Anyone have this experience??

 

All my searching for answers on google keeps resulting in information about it being in the ignition switch assembly and not the key cylinder assembly. Is this true on this make-and-year jeep?
I replaced that assembly with new and nothing changed.

 

I have a parts ZJ out back, but I can't look at it until tomorrow. But the XJ equivalent has a rod going from the ignition switch to the actual switch attached under the collum. I had mine apart but I cannot remember where the spring was.

 

The XJ uses a standard GM column. The Grand Cherokees have the ignition switch behind the key. I think, but I'm not certain, that the return from start position spring is inside the key cylinder.

Have you tried starting in neutral and jiggling the shifter? That would point to a problem with the NSS, and not the ignition switch module. Pretty common really. Searching for BleepinJeep and NSS for how-to videos.

 

The problem is not the neutral/park switch this is the spring and switch that tells the engine to start. I do not want to spend more money on the cylinder if the spring is not in there. I think we are just going to do a starter switch under the dash. It is a jerry-rigged old car in many respects already so this will just add tp the ambiance of the car.