Jeep Cherokee- Neutral Safety Switch?

Before I set this thing on fire intentionally: About once a month I’d turn the key and all the lights would go on, but no attempt to start. Sometimes I’d turn the key and start it on the second try, sometimes a few tries. Recently it’s gotten really bad- some days it won’t start at all after dozens of tries. I’ve had it start after punching the column repeatedly, after moving the shifter back and forth a few times, and after hitting the starter. So basically, I’m going on “coincidence” since I have no idea what is actually doing the trick. No difference if it’s hot or cold, or warm or cold outside. Today it almost started, then died and refused to start- only playing with the shifter fixed it. The guy parked next to me said he “heard a pop like it was in gear”. Cherokee Forum is slow so maybe someone here has advice. NSS? How to you fix/replace that? Or does it sound like something else? I’m no mechanic but can replace basic stuff. It’s my only vehicle and I live in the middle of nowhere, so I can’t deal with this anymore.

It’s a 2000 Cherokee, automatic.

I had to replace the NSS on my cherokee, common problem. You can adjust the position of the NSS on the transmission, might be something to try first. Does it start in Neutral? do your reverse lights work?

You can rebuild them but they are hard to get off the shaft. In the attempt to get mine off I broke it in half, so I ended up getting a new one (not Cheap btw). There are a ton of write-ups on Naxja.org

Thanks. I didn’t try starting it in neutral until today- it started right up. I don’t know about the reverse lights, although they have always seemed to work. If it keeps starting in N, than screw it, I have no urge to fix it now or throw any more money at this thing this winter.

How hard was it just to replace it and how much? I’ll check Naxja too.

yeah my parts jeep has a bad nss, the po destroyed the center consoul trying to fuck with the shifter lol

i just gotta wrench teh shifter around in nuetral to get it to start. common problem.

^LOL. As long as it keeps starting in neutral I’m leaving it, this POS develops new issues weekly, I’m driving in into the ground.