NO FIRE all of a sudden?? please help me..

1996 cherokee 4.0 4wd 178,000 miles

This jeep is driven daily and ran fine the day before. Today my wife got in it to go somewhere and it owuld not start. I checked it out and its NOT getting fire. I did a search for this and one thread said to try starting it in nuetral. I have tried starting it in all gears. Iknow that my nss is bad but, it has been bad for a year or so. I dont care if my backup lights dont work. ANYWAYS another search said it could be the Cranksaft Positioning Sensor (i think) If this is it. Can i test for this? ANY other help and feedback would be appreciated. Thanks in advance ------- TJ

Neutral switch would keep it from turning over at all (won't crank).

If it turns over (cranks) but does not fire up, it could be one of the sensors.

Did you check for error codes using 3-key turn trick?

Take Care,

I have never heard of a 3 key turn trick?? what is that?

Will it turn over and not fire...or does it not turn over at all ??
Possibilities:
Bad Coil
Bad Ignition module
Know anybody that can OBD the system?

I have never heard of a 3 key turn trick?? what is that?
Insert key and turn it from OFF to ON three times within 5 seconds (without starting the engine), and STOP at the ON position the last time.

ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON

Then watch the check engine light for a "flash pattern" -- it should be a series of 2-digit numbers. For example:

Flash - pause - Flash-Flash = 12
- long pause -
Flash-Flash-Flash-Flash-Flash - pause - Flash-Flash-Flash-Flash-Flash = 55

If you get some codes, post them back here.

Take Care,

It will turn over fine. just not firing.

i will check for codes and post them later

ok i got the codes..

12
11
43
45
55

this is the order that they appear in. thanks for all the help
tj

12 - Direct battery input to PCM was disconnected withing the last 50 key-on cycles
11 - No Crank Reference Signal Detected During Engine Cranking
43 - Fault in ignition coil circuit
45 - Overdrive Solenoid
55 - End of code display

The "11" code is the one I got that lead me to my Crankshaft Position Sensor.
But I have also seen references to the Camshaft Position Sensor (under the distributor cap) for that code.
I changed my CPS and fixed my 1992 Jeep (same engine as yours).

Take Care,

FIXED!!

I changed the Crankshaft Possition Sensor (CPS) and it is fixed! Thanks for ALL who helped me. PRAISE THE LORD i got my jeep back! Oh yeah

thanks all

TJ

Now all you have to do is ovehaul the NSS, so you won't have more codes in the future.

will the codes trick work for an 89? i'm trying to figure out my mothers but i'm a chevy guy,,,paper clip is all you need, 4.0 2wd

I have a 98 Jeep Cherokee with the same problem, and I was lurking to see if I could get a hint......Itried to 3 key trick and my vehicle comes up with no codes. Battery's fine. We park on a slight incline and when it wouldn' start the other day, I put it in park and rolled it back a couple of feet......started fine for about 15 seconds and then died. Not it will not start. Please help?