RockyMtn96XJ

With the NSS being an idea, is that something that only a manual will have, or is it on the AW-4 also?

Red1992XJ

A NSS will only be on the automatic.

You can rebuild your NSS for next to nothing (some dielectric grease and elbow grease). I am going to do the same on mine when the weather warms up.

Cleaning your grounds is also a good thing to do to.

RockyMtn96XJ

Yeah.............................................

RocketMouse

I would start by checking and/or swapping out your ignition switch. They are fairly cheap and honestly are not uncommon to go out with that kind of age. I replaced the one in my 99 couple years ago and no more issues. I never bothered to have the cylinder re-keyed due to the cost. I'm old enough to remember having a separate key for the doors and ignition so I just saved myself the 60-70 dollar locksmith fee to do it.

Matt C

I’m on the south shore in Weymouth, thank you all for the replies, I’m going to take a good look at the NSS make sure my terminals are all 100% and possibly look at the ignition switch, I experience a real rough idle at times as well would that be something the NSS could do as well?

RockyMtn96XJ

Hmmmm, well, MAYBE... IF.... the NSS is going in and out of operation, it could POSSIBLY be telling the motor to shut off many many times a second causing a rough idle.... But I dont even know if thats how that thing works, or if it just tells the ignition system you're in the proper gear so the engine will start when you get in... I would have to go with the latter, and that the NSS is not causing the rough idle

Dave51

Might not be a bad idea to spray that area with PB, ATF, something to try to free it up a little before then.

BigNuge

Another vote for NSS here. I’m in southern NH, so I know the weather you are seeing. My NSS has acted up from time to time with very similar symptoms as you.

Simple test. Try jiggling the shifter during one of those “no crank” episodes. If it immediately starts cranking then you found it!

RockyMtn96XJ

Good idea...!!!!

RockyMtn96XJ

Wouldn't you know it..... 3 times in the last 2 or 3 days, my XJ hasn't cranked over when I turn the key. It'll start on 3rd or fourth key turn. I wiggled the shifter when it was started to see if it died, it didn't. All the ACC and lights come on, and radio, but no crank. What are the odds........ My battery is good and the connections are great. I suppose I'll check the NSS and then the ignition in the steering column.... Denver isnt known for its humidity, but we have had a lot of snow lately and its been melting. Roads are dry today...
I'm gonna do the "wiggle" test on the shifter during a "no crank" episode. I will turn the key and hold in "ON/CRANK" as if I'm trying to crank the engine over, then have the wife wiggle the shifter and see if it starts while I'm holding the key to "crank"

Matt C

Getting to be an older thread now but I figured I’d give you an update and now that it’s fixed share what it was for anyone having similar issues in the future, maybe this thread could help. So my battery was good I put a brand new Duralast gold series in a couple months ago, but I figured it was my NSS due to not having reverse lights occasionally. I ordered the part after I.T took me nearly 2 hours to get the thing started about a week ago. I.T had got to the point where I.T was taking me about 5 min to get the Jeep started but it never failed to start. So the NSS plugs in next to where your tranny meets the motor and snakes up by your tans oil dip stick. The plug is up there and once opened up you can toss a paper clip in the plug on the bottom two slots to trick the computer in the motor and bypass the NSS, so when that didn’t work I was thinking maybe it’s something els. I already ordered the part and installation was easy, taking out would have been easy if the bolt with the retaining clip when trying to pry the unit out didn’t strip all the threads off of the units housing and make it nearly impossible to get leverage on the NSS. Once installed I had the same problem, didn’t cure my issue. So I knew my starter was getting power and thought possibly it was gummed up and needed to be in a very certain position for it to start because it would move a hair every time I tried to start it but would take forever to get it to crank. So once I replaced the starter we were good to go. Problem solved.

Dave51

Thanks for the follow-up!!

Santiago Rebollo

Good day every one. I’m new to the Jeep community and am in need of some help. I have a 1991 XJ that I picked up fairly cheap. When I bought it the young man stated that it would start but immediately shut off which made me think something wrong with the ignition but when the jeep arrived at my house I learned that it had a broken steering column. I began by replacing the steering column and key and then could get the vehicle to crank but it would backfire. And then proceeded to check the timing and put the Jeep in timing (4.0). The vehicle would just crank and not start. Make sure all the grounds we’re taking off and cleaned and still no start. I then verified that I had spark and as it appeared week I replaced the ignition coil, the crank position sensor, spark plugs spark plug wires, rotor, distributor, cap just to be safe. When replacing the CPS I did learn that he had recently been replaced along with the throttle position sensor. Still the jeep will not start only cranks. With the ignition is turned on you can hear the fuel pump and with ignition on we’re getting 45 psi at the rail and went cranking 55 psi. We’ve tried starter fluid, we also checked the neutral safety switch and still nothing. I took the computer in to be tested I was advised that the computer is good as well as previous repairs done to it have held up well. I was told to test pin six at the computer for 5 V and pin seven for 8 V and they both checked out, was also asked to check pin 24 And I get anywhere between 7 to 8 V while cranking. I was told the pen 19 should have the same amount of voltage as the battery one not cranking however I’m getting .24 V there. I will be tracing this wire to see if there’s damage however wanted to see if there’s anything else anyone can think of that may help us get this jeep to start. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you all in advance!