Jeep won't start when hot

ALEXDEAN

MEMBER
JEEP CHEROKEE

2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, 120,000 mi, 4.7 V8 engine, 4x4. Will start fine when cold or cool, but intermittently won't start when engine is hot. Has been a problem for the past 25,000 mi. Turn the key and it is dead--no starter noise or click or anything. Mechanic has replaced starter and battery with no results. Only way to get it started is to do the following things simultaneously, after turning off the a/c: jiggle shift lever and shift lever release button, press on brake pedal, turn key. Sometimes takes half a dozen attempts before it will finally start right up. Battery does not appear fatigued. Seems like an electrical connection somewhere. Any ideas? Thank you.

4 Replies

2CARPRO JACK

MECHANIC
11,533 POSTS

There is a starter relay in the Power Dist Center. Have him test it for power in, and trigger when it wont crank.

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Thursday, June 21st, 2007 AT 8:07 AM

CRASH33

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4 POSTS

There is a Park position switch. If you are wiggling the shifter and it is having an effect, check this switch.

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Thursday, August 16th, 2007 AT 11:33 AM

GRICHARDS

MECHANIC
57 POSTS

Glanced at post, first part made me think "heat related", second part about jiggling xmission shifter caught my attention. I'm initially thinking about your Neutral start switch - allows vehicle to start in Park and Neutral only. Will it start in neutral? Just looking for more symptom info. If it will start in neutral, you might have simply a dirty/lousy connection where
the connector plugs into the wiring harness, or dirty contact at the shifter itself. Don't know exactly where your NSS connector is for that model, don't know if you have a 3 or 4 speed auto trans. On side of xmission? Anyone else out there have this year model? Worst case, call the local auto parts stor and ask "em! Will check back to see if you find out any more info, Good luck!

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Thursday, August 16th, 2007 AT 9:04 PM

CHRISGSCOTT

MEMBER
4 POSTS

I had this same *exact* problem last year. It's definitely the Neutral Start Switch. Wait long enough and all the jiggling in the world won't help it start, I'd get it checked out ASAP.

For curiosities' sake, do your reverse lights work right now? Mine wouldn't work while the NSS was bad. Random.

Hope this helps!
Chris.

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Thursday, August 16th, 2007 AT 11:40 PM