my Jeep hates me... (still starting when she wants to)

[BigOrangeXJ]

I swear I give up on life, lol. I posted a couple weeks ago when I went out to the parking garage to find my jeep not starting (http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=407732). Well after being towed to the shop where the alarm was installed (I thought it was alarm related at the time) she started right up. I thought maybe there was a loose connection that jiggled back into place while on the flatbed. I thought all was well again until same crap happened last night. I shook around some wires under the dash, opened the hood and shook some wires a little and repeatedly moved the jeep violently side to side and someone a minute later she started again. No such luck tonight. Same crap and after about 1/2 hour of trying I gave up. You turn the key but there is just nothing. No click, no idiot lights or radio turns on or anything. I was wondering if it could be NSS related at first, but don't know why this would have to do w/ the lights on the dash and radio not coming on. Maybe ignition switch? Any ideas at all? I was just planning on ordering a stroker for her, but not sure if this is a good idea or not now. On one hand, maybe pulling out the old motor will expose the problem, but I know I really need to get this fixed once and for all so I don't find myself stranded on a camping trip or something.

[mecompco]

The NSS does not affect the rest of the electronics--the starter simply will not do anything. Perhaps you have multiple problems? Man, intermittent electrical gremlins really suck.

[bee guz]

If its the NSS you still get some idiot lights, if you have nothing at all, it could bethe starter selonoid, that controls the power, to the vehicle, thats the place to start, after that you could check the ignition switch, and dont' forget to see if the fuesable links are OK, by useing a test light you can see if the links have power on both sides of the link.

An intermittant problem is the worst to find, you have to become a detective, and search for stupid things, like the wires on your ignition switch, sometimes the get a heat buildup, on the connector if there is a poor connection, and they fry, and get power sometimes, check to see if any wire ends on the ignition switch, (where the plug go's into the switch) are discolered, from heat, poor grounds are just as bad you can have power all over and if you have a bad ground nothing will work, check the engine grounds,or add one it always helps, my old yj had problems like that, so I ran another ground cable from the block to the frame.

You have a tough task there, but you will find it, look at thngs that were added to your jeep make sure they are connected well, and grounded, Good Luck...B

[BigOrangeXJ]

how do I actually get to the ignition switch? do I have to open up the panels to the steering column? I tried messing w/ the tilt steering today and shaking crap around and still nothing. very frustrating.

[iwishihad1]

my NSS acts up and i get no dummy lights going off. just clean the NSS and see what happens..you got reverse lights??

[XJK]

i know this may be a dumb suggestion, but as dumb as i am it has happened to me. But did you check your negative battery cable for being loose? It would cause everything your describing. Just thought i would throw it out there for ***** and giggles.

-Kyle

[JeepFreak91]

Originally Posted by Kyle_99'XJ

i know this may be a dumb suggestion, but as dumb as i am it has happened to me. But did you check your negative battery cable for being loose? It would cause everything your describing. Just thought i would throw it out there for ***** and giggles.

-Kyle

x2 I had the same symptons for a couple days and when you would move the negative battery cable around, it would start right up.

[Flammable]

x3 lol, I described the same exact thing to my neighbor and he came over wiggled the negative cable and then tightened it up. He said he had the same thing happen on his Grand Wagoneer so he knew the problem very well lol.

[BigOrangeXJ]

i really don't think it's an issue with the negative battery terminal being that i just put a blue top battery in and the terminals were tightened down pretty good. i can't help but think it is related to the ignition itself

[ChemeXJ]

The fact you just tightened the terminals is that much more reason to go back and check them. Its very quick and the worsed it could do is wast a minute of your time.

[BigOrangeXJ]

if it was a loose battery connection wouldn't I have no power at all though?

[XJK]

Originally Posted by BigOrangeXJ

if it was a loose battery connection wouldn't I have no power at all though?

correct, you state that when this happens nothing is on, no idiot lights no nothing. This would be the cause of a loose connection. Also the fact that it turns on sometimes leads me to believe its a batt connection because of the connector going back into place.

its not that hard to check, just walk outside and mess around with it for a bit. Maybe take it off and tighten it again.

-Kyle

[BigOrangeXJ]

well of course after work today I return to the Jeep (5 am) after sitting for 14 hours w/ out touching her and I notice the blue light is flashing indicating the alarm is getting power again. sure enough I press than alarm and it disarms. then proceeds to turn right over and drive off like nothing ever happened. very frustrating. I don't need this to happen while off-road one day or on a long camping trip. I really need to find the source of the problem. I am ordering my stroker soon, and it would seem dumb to do a motor swap w/ this problem I am having, but maybe while taking the motor out, any and all connections can be checked and upgraded if necessary, as well as replace any sensors while at it.