1996, Cherokee Classic, 4.0 L straight-6. For the last few years this
has occurred, but as time has passed it is more and more frequent (I'd
say now that it happens about 1 out of 15 starts):
Turning the key causes all the gauges to illuminate (radio plays, etc.),
but turning the key to start won't get any mechanical action going. If
I jerk around with the gear shift, roll it around a little bit in
neutral and throw it into gear, etc. always fixes the problem, so it
appears that it is some dead spot that is causing this. I'm thinking
maybe it's the brushes in an old starter, maybe it's the crankshaft
position sensor, maybe it's something in the steering column, maybe it's
something else.

Has anyone else experienced this, and if so, remedied it?

Thanks in advance -


B

Neutral safety switch ?

"Bill Sands" <saucesman (AT) verizon (DOT) net> wrote

That sound like a neutral safety switch issue t5o me also. Here is a
link on fixing or adjusting them:
http://www.cherokee-jeep.com/1-2swremov.htm

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG AT's, 'glass nose to tail in '00
'New' frame and everything else in '09. Some Canadian Bush Trip and
Build Photos: http://mikeromainjeeptrips.shutterfly.com


Bill Sands wrote:

Mark, Mike, and Doug:

Thanks very much for the suggestions, and while it's not analytic proof,
it sure is a good indication that it's the problem insofar as all three
of you came up with the same culprit. In addition, shifting into
neutral gets it to start about 80% of the time. Other times it takes
some monkeying around and moving several components as I mentioned, but
it has always started, fortunately. Stopped at the dry cleaners to pick
up shirts and stuff last Saturday and it took about 10 minutes to get it
going, which was the worst so far (usually within 30 seconds I'll get it
to start).

I'm quite comfortable with the electronic diagnostics, thanks for being
so thorough with all the details - I do not have a multimeter, but used
to have two or three of them (why my ex-wife deserved most of my tools
in the divorce is beyond me, haha). Need to buy another one anyway, so
this is a good time.

B

I have seen two things on these jeeps occur like you posted
first the ignition switch is worn and the key has to be just the right spot
to start the jeep my own does this but I am too cheap to buy a switch until
it fails and second the heater blower switch connector is melted and the
current draw is real high on the connector at the back of the ignition
switch and it turns terminals black and starts to melt that connector more
so if you have a remote start
I have replaced far more ignition switches for this issue in the last 10
years of wrenching on jeeps and only one neutral safety switch and that
customer just had to try and fix it himself
"Mike Romain" <romainm (AT) nospam (DOT) eastlink.ca> wrote