Will not start

[Petros]

Bought a 1989 XJ Laredo 4.0 with 120,000 miles. Seller explained that if he did not start the vehicle every other day the battery would be dead. Intended on replacing all of the major starting components anyway. Replaced battery (optima redtop) starter, and alternator first. Jeep ran fine for two months. Then I noticed a drag when starting. Was going to take it into the shop where I could get it on a lift to replace exhaust system and it would not start at all. No click from the relay nothing. Attempted to jump start it...nothing...deader than a hammer. Replaced relay and now I get a click and that is it. Of course the accessories work (clock, lights, blinkers. etc). I have not lost my mind or composure yet however, the hair is almost all gone. Any thoughts or ideas would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

[xj4x]

Strait drive or auto? My clutch switch is touchy sometimes and if you dont have that baby to the floor it wont crank. If its an auto might be a problem with the neutral safty switch.

[cumorglas]

because of a combintion of the wirig ecisions that wee made by jeep and what we do to them afterwards, xj of our vintage(i also have an 89) are exceptionally prone to corrosion of the battery leads and and grounds. I replaced mine some years back with fancy ones made from Ancor marine grade tinned fine strand wire and tinned copper lugs. I chose it partly because i had acces to it and partly because i reasoned that my jeep in WNY spends more time in saltwater than any of the boats i was wiring. I keep the exposed bits covered in a dielectric saltwater resistant grease, but i am pretty sure there are cheaper alternatives. fixing that stuff stopped all of my noncrank issues and allowed me to focus on other things on the jeep.

the gis of this is that most of the time there are problems getting it to crank corrosin of the wires or grounds is the issue. check those first. even if it doesn't fix the problem it needed to be done anyway.

[cumorglas]

I really have to replace the batteries in the wireless kyboard. or at least proofread before hitting send. sorry for the typos.

i noticed the mention of the neutral safety switch above. If you have the auto these are ridculously prone to corrosion. if that is it a quick googling of the transmision positionn switch and jeep should lead you to very nice instructions on how to rebuild it. think very seriously about extending the vent line if you live in the rust belt. and do rebuild it the replacement switch availale is nowhere near as tough as the original and is very overpriced.

[Petros]

I apologize. It is an automatic

[Petros]

Thank you for the information. I will do that first. It is not yet my daily driver, so time is not an issue. I thought about replacing the entire wiring harness...I just was not sure I really wanted to undertake that challenge. I appreciate your time and the information. Thanks again.

[Petros]

Just making sure I provided all of the information...it will not crank at all now.

[cumorglas]

if you have power to the normal stuff when it is in the run position but nothing happens in start then it probaby is the neutral safety switch. at least that is the first thing i'd check.

I do't reccomend this but i will admit to having started mine before i fixed the switch by leaving the key in the run position and shorting the start terminal on the starter relay directly to the hot post on the relay. I did this for several weeks just because rebuilding the switch lookd much harder than it was. that switch is also your backup lights, so it is kind of important in parkinf lots at night. ;-)

[ladywolf]

that sounds almost like what mine is doing. if you turn the key on, the door open switch will buzz and everything else, but i wont even get a click. might have to have my brother look at the NSS. if you short from the relay to the hot terminal on the battery that works just fine. hmm.....

[Saudade]

Ladywolf. Check the NSS at the connector.

NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH CONTINUITY SPECIFICATIONS
Shift Lever Continuity
Position between Terminals
Park ........................................... "B" & "C"
Reverse ........................................ "A" & "E"
Neutral ........................................ "B" & "C"
Drive ................................................ (1)
3 .............................................. "A" & "G"
1-2 ............................................ "A" & "H"
(1) - No continuity should exist between any terminals.

http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/4479/nssconnzq6.jpg

[Saudade]

Petros.

Certainly the NSS could be the culprit but I'd check a few things out first. Have you "bypassed" the start circuit like Ladywolf above has done?

Check your engine grounds to the block and frame.

[ladywolf]

being as i'm half the world away from my jeep....with a vast number of parts adding up for it....i'm gonna haveta ask my brother or my dad to check it......but that does kinda sound like its the culprit.

[Petros]

Ladywolf and Saudade,

Thank you for the responses and information. I apologize for not replying sooner. The NSS will receive all of my attention. I will let you know what happens.

[Petros]

Wanted to let you know the outcome. It was the NSS. Jeep is running fine. Thank you all for your assistance, experience, and expertise. I am sure I will be posting again soon.

[Saudade]

Glad you got it fixed. :)