Also be warned that with nss bypassed it enables it to start in gear

 

I'd see if socket 85 was grounding while it was not starting it it were me, after whacking the starter as Freedgr suggests. (sometimes you need to whack it while someone holds the key over on start)

 

On the dot 2 hours later it started and I could drive it home. Just parked it and tried to start it again and nothing. I am going to try the NSS bypass now to see if it is the culprit.

Will report back soon!

 

When I got it home, I shut it off and it would not start again. Popped the hood, went inside to look at how to bypass the NSS for a minute, came back out and it started. I guess I have to wait for it to happen again before I can test the NSS bypass.

On a side note, I just found that the new power steering pump my mechanic installed is leaking. Oh what fun!!!

 

By chance is your starter and selinoid all covered with oil?

 

Not that I can tell. There is a tiny drop forming on the oil filter on the bottom center, but from what I can see, it is not dripping (or has not dripped) on the starter. If it was oil on the starter or solenoid, wouldn't the starter at least click or make a sound when I try and start it? When it won't start it's almost like the battery is dead, but the dash lights light up normally, just no click or sound when I hit the key. I wish the darn thing would just not work so I could troubleshoot it further. This sometimes not starting crap sucks! I almost wish I had become a mechanic instead of a IT guy so I could have a better grasp on the issues that pop up on this sucker.

I did also notice the bottom bolt of the bell housing (I think that is what it is) and the rear of the oil pan looks a little wet (oily). Is that most likely the oil pan gasket? I have not noticed any spots on the ground through.

Anyone in Orange County want to trade some computer work for some diagnostic work on my Jeep?

 

As has been pointed out on here, that point of the engine is the lowest, so any oil is going to run down there. It could be filter adapter or rear of valve cover.

Have seen oil in starters (not necessarily XJs) do all kinds of things. Was just throwing it out there. Usually takes a fair amount.

 

I had the valve cover gasket replaced a month ago and I checked all around it and it is dry. I will try to figure it out today.

 

Not properly a reply, but maybe you can help anyway, even by putting the question properly so if necessary I can start a new thread.

'99 XJ. Battery was drained totally by son withdrawing key from switch while in AUX position. He left for ten days, clock kept running. Tried to jump it, it cranked properly, got chatter from a relay (ASD?), and no start. Had it towed to mechanic, car started immediately. And it's been behaving that way for a couple of days now -- unpredictably. Car starts fine, runs for a while, cranks but won't restart -- relay chatters. Let it sit ten minutes, or two hours, and it starts....maybe. Eventually does start; no relay chatter then. Mechanic swapped out relay, defective relay is not the cause. Has fuel pressure. He has now discovered that wire heats up, then voltage to ASD relay drops, I guess enough so it fails to latch. Why only sometimes is not yet figured out.

Ideas? Start a new thread? If so, please suggest a brief title!

 

Wire to ASD Heats Up 99

 

Thanks. Will try it.

 

Update...

Today it started and I drove around the block, turned it off and it would not start. This time I worked the shifter back and forth really fast (and with force) with the key in the start position and it turned over when I hit neutral. Hurray, it is the NSS!!! I ordered a new one for $45 on Ebay and will be replacing it when it gets here. I don't feel like messing with it to clean it and in case it is broken or gets broken removing it.

I will report back after it is replaced.

Thanks for the guidance!

 

Supper! Glad you got it. (in post #2 I posted a link in how to clean the one you have)