'96 Jeep Cherokee sport won't start

[AlohaBra]

Auto Zone has these diagrams:
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d80153e8f.jsp

Try diagram 41


If you don't have a digital multi-meter...DMM or DVOM for short...you can get one for less than $20 at Sears or parts store.

• Battery voltage is very important...it must be over 12.5 volts...usually it is 12.6.
• With the voltmeter make sure at least 12.0 are at the positve lead at the starter.
• The NSS is important...did you try starting in N instead of P....
• The test for a good battery when loaded can be done by measuring battery voltage when cranking and having all the headlights on. Pull the coil wire and ground it. Crank engine for 40 seconds (use your watch)...at no time should battery voltage go below 9.6 volts.
• The ground side is just as important. Put the leads from the DVOM on like this: Negative (black) on the negative terminal or the battery and the positive (red) on the engine block or where the negative cable is attached (clean this spot by removing nut and using sandpaper). **There are several ground sites...one on the fender and a coulple below the coil*** When you have the DVOM leads on there crank the engine for about 10 seconds...voltage should not exceed .5 volts. This is called a voltage drop or the voltage that is lost in that section of wire.
• A voltage drop test can be performed on the postive cable also. Red on postive terminal and black at starter. Again voltage not to exceed 1/2 volt.

Enough for now...next is testing the ignition switch...and also the B+ or auto shut down relay (this has more to do with run than the starter). We'll discuss that if you get to that area.

[AlohaBra]

Originally Posted by rapunzel

I realized after I had put this in this am that I had omitted some vital info. My husband repalced the bateery cables with the alternator, etc.
The alternator gauge reads that is charging at slightly less than 14, unless I have the blower motor set on high. Then it reads about halfway between 14 and the lowe red zone. Any ideas?

Charging at about 13.8 volts is normal....when you have the blower on... the dash indicator reads low but not at the battery...it is a gage problem that is common but I wouldn't worry about it.

[AlohaBra]

Originally Posted by rapunzel

OK, I was talking with my husband. He pointed out that although the engine would not turnover, the other electrical components (headlights, radio, etc.) were fine. I have also noticed that the shifter indicators do not line up correctly. In addition to this, I have to hit the button on the shifter a couple of times after putting it into park to extract the keys from the ignition. Could the neutral/safety switch cause this? If so, why would the crazy thing start after being on the charger?

On the shifter indicator...that would be a linkage problem not an NSS problem which is attached directly to the transmission and is controlled by the linkage.

**but that does not means the NSS doesn't need service...search this forum or the web.....all Jeep Xjs will have this problem

[QuietErp]

So much for the NSS theory, it did relieve some stress by slamming the gear selector . I took the truck into Pep Boys today and they could not recreate the symptoms. They went ahead and replaced the starter / soloniod combo. (so far the battery has been replaced, alternator tested, regulator tested and now the starter combo replaced).

[QuietErp]

My problem is solved!! Even though a jump could also make it start, the alternator / solenoid was the true culprit. One explanation could be that adding the extra batterty in parallel during a jump would overcome the increased load of faulty starter / solenoid. I think your truck is different than mine in that your Solenoid may be detatched from your starter. Good Luck.