won't start

[JDMDrft]

I have an '89 Jeep Cherokee that had been sitting in the garage for about two weeks, when I went out to try and start it one day, I turned the key and nothing happend(it wouldn't even turn over). My first guess was that the battery was gone so I hooked it up to a slow charger. I tried again after it charged and nothing happened. I know I could use a test light on the starter and work my way back but I figured one of you might know the solution.

[Ironic]

try starting it in neutral, if it starts there or starts as you play with the shifter you have a bad neutral safty switch:
http://jeepin.com/features/nss/index.asp

[Saudade]

When you say "nothing happened", do you get lights, radio or any other electrical item working?

[JDMDrft]

My Lights do work, my radio doesn't but thats another problem, I'll try to start it in neutral, but if that doesn't work is it still the nss

[Ironic]

its possible- you can try to jump the starter solenoid to see if its the starter itself. If you get a crank out of the starter- is most likely you nss. I think what saudade is asking- Do you get the dash lights and radio coming on when you turn the key to run, on the off chance it may be the ignition switch itself- If the dash lights and radio do come on- go with the nss.

[Saudade]

Ironic is tuned in.

I didn't mean headlights/tailights as they are not routed through the ignition switch. Radio, dash gauges/idiot lights, cigar lighter, wipers, etc. all have power whenthe switch is ON. If these work but you get nothing when you turn the key to Start, then jump the starter as Ironic says. If it turns over, then the NSS is a likely suspect, however, the ign switch is still a posibility. Jiggle the shifter back and forth and see if it can connect.

[JDMDrft]

yes my idiot lights and dash lights work, my radio isn't connected so it doesn't matter. Anyway I tried to start it in N but still nothing happened. I'm gonna clean the nss next week and replace the battery. But still I am not so sure its the nss so what do you mean by jumping the starter. I'm new to working on my own car so bare with me, but thanks alot for your help

[89ltd]

check for power on the starter relay at the SOL connection when you have the key in the start position, could be starter relay, $10

[JDMDrft]

what does this SOL position mean? Shit out of luck?

[89ltd]

really, you would check for power from the ignition, i think its the I on the relay, that triggers the relay which would send power to the SOL, if it were working right

[BlueCivic83]

try nplugging the vacum line that goes to the map sensor thats located on the firewall in the mittle under the hood then plug it back in then try to start again.

[JDMDrft]

didn't work

[89ltd]

the nss switch sends ground to the starter relay in order for it to function. You could jump the G teminal on the starter relay to ground for a test, but you should really see if you are getting power to the I terminal on the starter relay when the key is in the start posistion to rule out the ignition switch. Get your hands dirty....

[lesjr]

I think I'm having the exact same problem as this guy and I want to try to jump the starter to see if that's what my culprit is.


Can you point me in the direction of where to find this info?
Thanks!