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1997 jeep cherokee?

My jeep Cherokee 1997 will not start with the key one in 1000 turns it might crank but if you turn it off it wont crank any more but you can always start it from underneath if you jump connect the starter and the solenoid how do I fix it fast and cheap I am stuck in Florida with my wife and newborn baby and need to go to North Carolina

9 Answers

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  • paul h
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Sounds like a bad neutral safety switch or ignition switch....both should be on the lower end of the steering column under the dash.

    Check out autozone.com for parts and replacement methods. If it's a bad neutral safety switch, you can temporarily jump the wires to each other but you MUST be careful not to start the car in gear until it's fixed properly.

    Paul in Raleigh

  • 1 decade ago

    If it was a crankshaft position sensor, the vehicle would still crank, just wouldn't fire. Try starting the vehicle in neutral, if it starts, then it's definately the neutral safety switch. It's either that, or the ign. switch. if it was me and not much money, i'd connect a piece of speaker wire to the small wire going to the starter solenoid and then tie it off by the battery. when i would need to start it, i'd turn the key on, touch the wire to the positive post of the battery and start the vehicle, remove the wire, tie it off AWAY from the battery or any 12volt source and get my wife and my newborn home. Hope this helps. drive safe.

    Mike in da U.P.

  • ?
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    SUV's in general don't have the best gas mileage but some do better then most others. I am taking a guess based on my old 97 Cherokee is any where from 15 to 20. give or take a few depending on what you have done to the engine, up grade? or rough ridding on the engine? mileage on the engine?. Hills or stop and go traffic kill the fuel too.

  • 1 decade ago

    I had the exact same thing happen to me and I have a 1997 Jeep Cherokee as well! It is the battery. Once I changed the battery, that problem stopped.

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  • 1 decade ago

    Crankshaft positioning sensor! AKA: CPS. It is located on the transmission bell housing on the driver's side. It can be accessed from the engine compartment. It is held on with 2 screws and an electrical connector. It will cost between $50 and $60 to replace yourself.

    Source(s): Jeeper
  • 1 decade ago

    If you try to crank and nothing happens except 1:1000, it's probably the ignition switch.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Check battery and terminals/cables - apparently you can only jump start it when connecting directrly to the starter. Obvioulsy, the problem is BEFORE the starter.

  • replace the starter its easy and fast any questions on how you can e mail me

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    If you can jump start it, I don't understand how you are stuck?

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