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key turns but won't start

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Old Mar 19, 2018 | 05:57 AM
  #1  
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Default key turns but won't start

93 grand cherokee larado has power, could this be a relay problem?
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Old Mar 19, 2018 | 04:13 PM
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From: South Congaree, SC
Year: 2001
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L6
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Check your connections at the battery really get tough with them.
I chased a slow/weak cranking problem for a good long time; ohmed out all the cables my meter read that they were okay, SO I bought a replacement starter ONLY to have the same slow/weak start. Somewhere between cussing and screaming at the gods of Jeeps I put jumper cables on the grounds from battery to starter; SHAZZAM starter was working perfectly.
This got me to REALLY inspect connectors, cables and any/everything associated with the electrical under the hood. Finding several wonkie connections and finally getting GOOD grounds I had a '01 that worked!
Funky gauges, engine stutters etc. were gone.
Hope this helps
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Old Mar 19, 2018 | 07:22 PM
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  1. This is the Cherokee section. You have a Grand Cherokee. Not the same thing. The Grand Cherokee section is over here.
  2. If you want help, you need to make the effort to provide a lot more information. There are no mind readers here.
  3. TJ has given excellent advice.
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Old Mar 19, 2018 | 07:37 PM
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If it doesn't do anything what so ever when you turn the key, this is often a neutral start switch problem. (NSS) Try starting it in neutral instead of park, or try running the shifter back and fourth through all the gears several times.
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Old Mar 19, 2018 | 11:22 PM
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From: Detroit, Michigan
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Can u start it in Neutral?
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Old Mar 20, 2018 | 08:17 AM
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From: South Congaree, SC
Year: 2001
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Engine: 4.0 L6
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BlueRidgeMark, I got that bit of advice from YOU/Y'ALL from this site!
I can tell y'all the most important ground is the battery to body ground at the front.
If you have a crappy ground there you'll be chasing gremlins forever. Preachin' to the choir, I know(sorry)
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Old Mar 20, 2018 | 08:13 PM
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Originally Posted by TJ Johnson
I can tell y'all the most important ground is the battery to body ground at the front.
Yep. That's why I upgraded mine.

I took the ground screw out, and drilled out the hole to take a 5/16" bolt. Cleaned up the sheet metal all around it down to bare metal. Made a patch about the size of a nickel. Then I fed a stainless 5/16" bolt through from the back side. I used a stainless star washer back there, and plenty of dielectric grease. On the front side, more dielectric grease and another stainless star washer, then a nut. I cinched that down tight. That gave me a 5/16" stud securely fastened to the sheet metal. To that I attached a new custom made cable in 8 gauge going to the
new military style terminal new military style terminal
on the battery. I gave it all new battery cables at the same time.
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Old Mar 21, 2018 | 09:43 PM
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BlueRidgeMark,
No joking:^^^^ That should be a Sticky!
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Old Mar 22, 2018 | 07:22 PM
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I should post some pics of it before I scrap the vehicle. At least it can help some other folks that way.
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Old Mar 23, 2018 | 12:20 AM
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Year: 1998/2018
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Originally Posted by TJ Johnson
Check your connections at the battery really get tough with them.
I chased a slow/weak cranking problem for a good long time; ohmed out all the cables my meter read that they were okay, SO I bought a replacement starter ONLY to have the same slow/weak start. Somewhere between cussing and screaming at the gods of Jeeps I put jumper cables on the grounds from battery to starter; SHAZZAM starter was working perfectly.
This got me to REALLY inspect connectors, cables and any/everything associated with the electrical under the hood. Finding several wonkie connections and finally getting GOOD grounds I had a '01 that worked!
Funky gauges, engine stutters etc. were gone.
Hope this helps
Yes the jeep gods like to play this little trick every once in a while. Happened to me over the summer
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