Hello All. Most all the time we turn the key and nothing happens. It does start eventually…sometimes after 4-5 turns of the key. I don’t hear any sounds at all.
Any idea what this could be or what I can check? Thank you.
Try shifting the transmission into neutral and then see if it starts.
If it does, it points to a problem with the park/neutral safety switch.
Tester
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I greatly appreciate your help. I will try. Thank you.
How old is battery? Have you ever cleaned battery terminals?
Multiple attempts to turn key I’d say starter.
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About 4 years. Good battery too.
It does not shift into neutral before starting. Only stays in park.
I’ve had to replace my batteries after about 4 years in all my cars built this century except the ones with the battery in the trunk. If you haven’t had the battery tested lately, it might be worthwhile to do so. Chain auto parts stores will test it for free. The Advance store near me has told me a couple of times that the battery was OK, so don’t expect that they are out to sell you a battery when it isn’t needed.
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With the ignition switch on, step on the brake pedal and put it in neutral.
Tester
I can’t get it into neutral at all once I did but that’s it the shifter just won’t move no matter where I turn the key without turning it on
Thank you for that
Clean up your battery terminals really well, and check the cables for signs of corrosion.
You also said “good battery too” - do you mean by brand/reputation? Or you mean it was tested?
Are you following Testers instructions fully?? Are you depressing the brake pedal after turning the key forward a bit before moving the shifter handle??
When this happens (doesn’t come out of park), do the brake lights work???
+1 for cleaning the terminal ends and also check your grounds really good and not just your battery terminal one… Check for corrosion in and around the fuse box(s) and any loose wires…
When you have the no start, is everything else working??
You might be in over your head and need to take this to a repair shop for a pro to diagnose the issue…
Thank you very much for the advice so it’s only thing I noticed when I have no start is none of the dashboard lights work and then when I see them come on when I turn the key I know it’s going to start and it does
I just know it was a good brand and expensive when I bought it but I’m going to definitely get it tested thank you
It seems 2014-2015 Cherokees have braided battery ground cables which corrode pretty thoroughly and cause all sorts of problems.
I found this link that shows you about changing the braided strap. there are a few ground straps but one is the most important one to check out and change. pictures included. I would check all the ground straps and also look at the positive cables too. even going to the starter. On the first post click on the SEE MORE to open up the pictures and more info.
Ground Strap Replacement (Step by Step) | 2014+ Jeep Cherokee Forums
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there is a START relay that causes that problem on some models
Cleaned terminals today. Still not starting on first, second third etc. try. No lights come on dashboard when turning key before it’s gets to the turnover position. When I eventually see the lights come on I know it’s going to start. It’s been taking about 5-8 turns of the key before I see lights come on then turn it further and it starts.
This has the classic symptoms of a bad ground, as I mentioned before, have you checked your grounds, as well as weekend-warrior’s post about a known ground?? There is way more to the electrical system than just the battery pos/neg terminals… You need a battery to engine ground, a battery to chassis ground, a chassis to engine ground strap not to mention all the harness grounds and so forth…
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Start relay? How do I determine of that’s it? Where is it? Thanks
When no start…nothing works