key turns but won't start
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: South Congaree, SC
Year: 2001
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L6
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
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
CF Veteran




Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,965
Likes: 964
From: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
- This is the Cherokee section. You have a Grand Cherokee. Not the same thing. The Grand Cherokee section is over here.
- If you want help, you need to make the effort to provide a lot more information. There are no mind readers here.
- TJ has given excellent advice.
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.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: South Congaree, SC
Year: 2001
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L6
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)
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)
CF Veteran




Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,965
Likes: 964
From: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
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 on the battery. I gave it all new battery cables at the same time.
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CF Veteran




Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,965
Likes: 964
From: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I should post some pics of it before I scrap the vehicle. At least it can help some other folks that way.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 98
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
Year: 1998/2018
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0/ 3.2
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
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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