Hey Scotty! I have a 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited X, it’s got 133,000 miles and it’s an automatic. Every once in a while, when I go to crank it up, it doesn’t turn over as if the battery is dead. But when I wiggle the shifter around it starts right up. We tried to take it to the dealership but we cant ever replicate it for them, so they don’t know what they’re working with. It’s not very much of a problem but it’s weird.
Ah, FCA & electronic nightmares are at it again.
That is indeed a good one, it sounds like the shift mechanism is detecting the vehicle is still in D or R and isn’t allowing the starter to fire.
Just to eliminate the obvious, is the wiring to your starter still good? And has anybody ever spilled a beverage on/near your gear shifter?
@inthrustwetrust
Well it’s a 2008 (before fiat took over) so it’s just a Chrysler thing (as if it’s any better). I have no idea if the wiring is good or not. I wouldn’t know where to check and if anything’s been spilled on it or not. Would that be the issue? And it’s pretty fun to prank my friends when it doesn’t start. I get a pretty good kick out of that.
Hahaha, I can see why that would be a fun prank!
You’re right, it was just Chrysler in 2008.
The problem may lie in your Neutral Safety Switch or in your TIPM.
Either way, it’ll need a thorough diagnosis first, before you start randomly replacing parts and throwing away your money.