Cranking problem

[jprish]

Hey all,
I have a 97 Cherokee with some intermitent cranking problems. I turn the key and nothing. No sound or rattle so I think starter. I will try later and it will be fine. Any ideas, dirt ignition wires, bad starter, I don't know. Anyone have this problem.

[RaeRae1]

Originally Posted by jprish

Hey all,
I have a 97 Cherokee with some intermitent cranking problems. I turn the key and nothing. No sound or rattle so I think starter. I will try later and it will be fine. Any ideas, dirt ignition wires, bad starter, I don't know. Anyone have this problem.

Need more info - do your interior lights stay on? Have you checked the battery cables to make sure they are not corroded or loose? Is there any kind of clicking noise?

[AlohaBra]

Originally Posted by jprish

Hey all,
I have a 97 Cherokee with some intermitent cranking problems. I turn the key and nothing. No sound or rattle so I think starter. I will try later and it will be fine. Any ideas, dirt ignition wires, bad starter, I don't know. Anyone have this problem.

My 97 had a bad ignition switch. Testing can be done with a voltmeter.

You can use a remote starter switch, the mechanic's kind, direct to the starter to test. It that doesn't run the starter every time, then look into the starter solenoid.

Remote starter type:
http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/Tool-Shop/Remote-Starters

[jprish]

Thanks for the input guys. It hasn't happened again but I will try what was posted if it does.

[Saudade]

Neutral safety switch. If yours is an automatic, try shifting into neutral.

[jprish]

I went to Autozone and they ran the computer. It came up with 700 and 705 which they also said neutral safety switch. I used my Haynes manual to troubleshoot the switch and it apparently seems good. The male end of the switch was different from the example but I got continuity on all terminals. I really don't want pay 250 for a new so I want to make sure first.

[dave92cherokee]

I was having the same problem with my 92 sport when I first bought it and checked the NSS and it tested good as well. But it was still bad in it's own quirky way, check this article it tells you how to rebuild it instead of replacing it.
http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoNSSrebuild.htm

[Saudade]

NSS's are notoriously intermittent as you have observed yourself. Carefully remove it and clean as per the link Dave provided.

[jprish]

Thanks everyone for the advice and article. I will put it on lift or jacks and see if can fix the switch.