Jeep randomly won't start

Hi all,

I've been having an issue on and off with my Cherokee for quite some time now. Every once in a while (just so happens to be the times when you NEED it to work), it won't start. I'll turn the key, the dash lights will come on, the radio will power up, but the starter won't turn. Originally, I thought it was the starter, so I got a new starter (this is ~1.5 years ago), after the problem happened again, I thought it was the battery, so I got a new battery (this is ~ 1 year ago). Unfortunately, my problem wasn't fixed, as it has happened again today.

I am wondering if anyone has any ideas what I should look for as the problem in this case. Are there any tell-tale things I can look for that will pinpoint this problem? Thanks in advance.

Details on my Jeep:

1993 Cherokee Sport
~180K miles

You gone a year without this happening? Check your battery cables and the grounds. Is it a manual or auto trans? If auto, try jiggling the shifter or putting it into neutral to see if it cranks. If so, then your neutral safety switch is the culprit.

I'm not the best with cars, can you explain what I should be looking for when you say to check the cables and grounds?

It is an automatic transmission. When you say to put it in neutral, do you mean to put the transmission into neutral, or to just shift into neutral?

Thanks for your help so far.

On the cables, you are looking for signs of corrosion. Clean any you find. Peel back some of the insulation near the battery terminals. If you see any corrosion there, replace the cables.

The black battery cable will also connect to the frame and engine block. Make sure these contact points are clean. You may need to remove them and use some emory paper to remove any dirt or corrosion.

Shift your transmission into Neutral with the shifter and try to start. Shift it from Park to Neutral a few times and try again.

i had the same problem with my 96 i had the starter checked out it was ok the battery was near death so i had it replaced no problems since.. could be the NSS also you may want to make sure the wires on the starter are on there tight also make sure the contacts are good and clean i still have the factory starter in my xj with 180 k so when i had it off i took years of grease and grime off, the little things make the difference

I am having the same problem. Was there any result?

Had same issue, also my reverse lights didnt work, i replaced the NSS and whadda ya know, starts all the time and reverse lights work. Seems to be a popular problem with cherokee.:smokin:

I am having the same problem. Was there any result?

You need to be more specific. Do a search for NSS on this forum if that is what you are interested in. It can be rebuilt/refurbished instead of buy a new one for $250+...

i have a 96 xj sport. one day i was in a gas station parking lot and i turned my key over and my jeep wouldnt start. I had to push my automatic shifter as high as i could get it into park with the key turned. my jeep finalilly started. I replaced my NSS switch and the problem hasnt happened again. P.S. my reverse lights also work now. i say get a new NSS switch and i would bet ur problems will go away. hope this helps

Thanks Corky...the NSS is a common problem.
Most DIY Jeepers rebuild it as I have done. When I priced it...it was like over $250.

Here is a link on it:
http://www.jeepin.com/features/nss/index.asp

Yea...i tried to rebuild mine also, but there was no hope. I paid 220 for mine at autozone. thanks for the response

Thanks again ...Corky...

I think it is time to retire this thread...the NSS is a known problem area that can be resolved.