89 xj No start

[Heepofajeep]

Alright, I have a 1989 4.0 aw4 cherokee that will not start. It has sat for about 2 years...

The engine runs great, but I cannot get the starter to work with the ignition key. (the starter will engage if I remotely bridge the solenoid wires). The reverse lights work, so I don't think it is the nss. Any ideas?

From reading on here, I suspect it has to do with the starter relay, but I do not know how to diagnose that, so any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[hizroyalty]

if u can jump the solenoid and get it to start its the solenoid...replace the starter

 

[Heepofajeep]

No, I don't think you understand what I was saying. All I was saying is that if I give poower to the starter (Just like an ignition would if it were working), the starter cranks just fine... I am 100% sure it is NOT the starter. Thanks though.

 

[89Wagoneer]

Check the ballast resistor on the driver side fender. It's the first place I look when I have problems with my 89.

 

[Heepofajeep]

Will that affect the starter from turning over (For some reason I was thinking that allows the engine to turn over, but wouldn't allow it to run)

 

[AJPulley]

So, if I understand you correctly, the starter itself, including the solenoid mounted thereto, works fine from underhood or bench testing. Then I can deduce you do not have power to the solenoid when you turn the key, but you do have battery power to the starter, correct? And, you indicated the engine will run once you remotely energize the starter?

If this is the case, have you checked for voltage at the starter relay? When working properly, it has two functions that coincide with each other to run the engine. The relay sends remote power to the solenoid to engage it, and sends a signal to the Renix ECU to look for a couple sensor inputs for the purposes of determining start timing and which cylinder will get injected with fuel first.

Check for voltage at the following terminals on the starter relay next: ignition start, supply and solenoid. On an automatic tranny model, the P/N switch supplies a ground for the starter relay. However, as part of the gear selection switch, the Drive-1st/2nd-Reverse part of the switch are not interconnected. They require a supply voltage in order to make the backup lights work and send signals to the TCU. So, just because the B/U lights work, don't dismiss the switch or its respective grounding point. Therefore, check for a ground at the starter relay when in Park or Neutral.

 

[pm1]

I have to put mine in neutral and push the brake pedal to get mine to start sometimes.

 

[langer1]

Alright, I have a 1989 4.0 aw4 cherokee that will not start. It has sat for about 2 years...

The engine runs great, but I cannot get the starter to work with the ignition key. (the starter will engage if I remotely bridge the solenoid wires). The reverse lights work, so I don't think it is the nss. Any ideas?

From reading on here, I suspect it has to do with the starter relay, but I do not know how to diagnose that, so any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

The NSS has many contact in it Backup, Netural/Park, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Drive.
The fact that the Backup lights work means nothing.

 

[Heepofajeep]

So, if I understand you correctly, the starter itself, including the solenoid mounted thereto, works fine from underhood or bench testing. Then I can deduce you do not have power to the solenoid when you turn the key, but you do have battery power to the starter, correct? And, you indicated the engine will run once you remotely energize the starter?

If this is the case, have you checked for voltage at the starter relay? When working properly, it has two functions that coincide with each other to run the engine. The relay sends remote power to the solenoid to engage it, and sends a signal to the Renix ECU to look for a couple sensor inputs for the purposes of determining start timing and which cylinder will get injected with fuel first.

Check for voltage at the following terminals on the starter relay next: ignition start, supply and solenoid. On an automatic tranny model, the P/N switch supplies a ground for the starter relay. However, as part of the gear selection switch, the Drive-1st/2nd-Reverse part of the switch are not interconnected. They require a supply voltage in order to make the backup lights work and send signals to the TCU. So, just because the B/U lights work, don't dismiss the switch or its respective grounding point. Therefore, check for a ground at the starter relay when in Park or Neutral.

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks!

 

[AJPulley]

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks!

You're welcome. Send in your membership dues when you can and get your name in red.