97' Not Cranking

Specs: 1997 XJ 4.0L AW4

Long story short I developed a non cranking issue this weekend, and am having trouble tracking down the culprit. Here's the symptoms...

-Starter works fine when terminals are jumped, engine runs normal
-Cleaned NSS, adjusted to where the relay clicks both in park and neutral
-Bypassed NSS, still no cranking
-Jumped green wire to starter at connection and starter cranks normal
-Swapped in spare starter, no change
-Swapped ignition switches, no change
-All fuses have continuity
-Relay under passenger kick panel (top most of the three) clicks when key is turned
-Starter relay in the PDC under the hood does not click, but shows 12V to it
-Swapped relays in PDC, no change

Advice on where to start looking in the wiring? It seems like there's a disruption in power between the relay in the kick panel, and relay in the PDC.

Thanks in advance.

Have you tried a different battery? Also, check the ground(s). Good luck!

Low voltage can cause a plethora of probs in chrysler because they were cheap with the wiring sizes (thickness)

Charging system seems to be fine. It starts like normal when the terminals are jumped at the starter.

Grounds at the battery and block are solid. Any others in particular to check?

swap the starter relay in the PDC?

edit.. never mind... i see you did.

The ignition switch send 12v to the starter relay coil in the start position

The NSS provides a ground for the starter relay coil in the PDC when in park or neutral.

your problem is either the relay is not getting a ground from the NSS or, 12v from the ignition switch.

The starter relay is in the PDC, correct?

If so, then what is the relay in the kick panel for?

3 relays there Horn, cigar lighter, and rear defrost relay.

Probably the cigar lighter relay clicking on/off as you turn to start position as it is only powered in the run or acc position.

Fixed.

Came home tonight to investigate the starter relay connections. Jumped the switched power to starter connection and it cranked normal. Then I took a look at the ground connection...



That's when I realized the connector had dropped down into the PDC case. Popped the PDC apart, reconnected the connector, and she cranks like a champ.

Thanks for the help guys.

Nice find! :thumbup: