have you tried pulling the codes?

 

No codes. I can do the "three-turn" key trick and the codes will display in the odometer, but nothing out of the ordinary. Thanks for the responses, keep them coming!

 

Is all your connections clean and free of any corrosion? All grounds in the engine bay clean and tight? Battery connection Tight?

 

All connections are good and tight. Here's an update on the starting issue:

After class, I had a couple friends take a look at my Jeep and we were able to narrow the problem down to one (possibly both) of the following two things: starter relay in fuse box is going bad and/or ignition switch needs replacement. The relay is no problem. I can pick one of those up at AutoZone for 6 bucks. But is replacement of the ignition switch very common, especially for older Jeeps (mine's a '97)? Just wondering if anyone else out there has also replaced this switch.

Thanks!

 

When it doesn't want to start, try putting it in neutral(if automatic) If it starts in neutral, its either an ignition switch issue or neutral saftey switch.

Teal-J owner as well.

 

Thanks for the replies. Hey, I'm not the only Teal-J owner out there!

Once I got to school today and sat through my morning classes, I replaced my ignition switch with a new one from NAPA. After making sure it was plugged in and all screws were tight, I turned the key and it fired right up. So, I'll keep my fingers crossed that the ignition switch was the real problem (I tested my clutch starter safety switch and it didn't seem to be the issue) and we'll see if she starts first thing tomorrow morning.

 

Have a friend who also had his XJ ignition switch take a shit on him, apparently they aren't that good. I'd bet it was your actual problem.

 

FYI: the iginition switch can be bought with the optional wiring as well. In my experience it about 75% switch and 25% wiring failure. I recommend buying the switch but if that does not work and you are sure its ignition/coumn related-go back and shell out for the wiring.

Also-if you jeep is going to get wet or left out in the rain-throw a garabage bag over the steering column at least-it will save you the grief of fighting with potential ignition and turn signal problems from corrosion....the rest of your jeep is fairly resitant to water

 

Another update: I don't want to jinx it, but so far my Jeep starts up without problems. I did have one issue when attempting to start it for the first time yesterday: it wouldn't fire up on the first or second try, but it finally did on the third. I'm guessing that by the third try I had given the fuel enough time to reach the injectors (leaky anti-drainback valve combined with Jeep sitting overnight). Today, I let the system prime itself thoroughly (turned key to 'ON' for about 20 seconds) and it fired right up. So, it looks like the new ignition switch is working and sending the right signals to the right places. Guess I'll be replacing that valve (and fuel filter, while I've got the tank down) in the near future.

I guess it also didn't hurt to have cleaned out the throttle body yesterday afternoon. That thing was pretty dirty