1997 Jeep Cherokee Problem Starting

Hello. Thanks for the donation. Much appreciated

As you have not supplied the exact model (ie. Grand cherokee laredo etc.) I'm shooting in the wind really, the immoboliser description below is basically standard ! Also check fuses #16 in underhood fuse box and #9 in underdash fuse box. Hope this helps. If you need more help. Let me know

Vehicles equipped with Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS) are protected from vehicle theft and unauthorized entry. VTSS system monitors vehicle doors, hood, liftgate and ignition. If an attempt is made to enter or operate vehicle without proper disarming of system, vehicle horn will sound, headlights, taillights and parking lights will flash, and engine will be prevented from running.
VTSS system arms when ignition is off, vehicle is exited, door is locked using power door locks and door is closed. Alternatively a remote keyless entry transmitter can be used to arm system. A security light on panel will flash for 15 seconds to indicate system is arming. At the end of 15 seconds, if no door, hood or tailgate is opened, system is armed.
If alarm is triggered, horn will sound for 3 minutes, and lights will flash for an additional 15 minutes. If horn sounds 3 times when either front door is unlocked, vehicle has been tampered with (tamper alert). If doors are locked manually or with key, system will not arm (manual override). If an unauthorized entry does occur, VTSS system signals Powertrain Control Module (PCM) to prevent vehicle from being driven. PCM reduces injector pulse width to zero, causing a start and stall condition.
System can be disarmed with the keyless entry transmitter, or by using key to enter vehicle. In both instances, if alarm was activated, vehicle alarm will be terminated. If battery is disconnected and reconnected, alarm will be activated and it will be necessary to disarm system as indicated.

Did you retrieve the code using the MIL ? (flashing).. i'm not showing a code 12 on my DTC list ?? also is it an aftermarket immobolizer you have fitted ? let me know

1.If indicator lights operate, but all gauges are inoperative, go to next step. If all gauges and indicator lights are inoperative, go to step 5).
2.Remove and inspect fuse No. 16 (15-amp) in Power Distribution Center (PDC). PDC is located in engine compartment, near battery. If fuse is okay, go to next step. If fuse is blown, locate and repair cause of blown fuse. Install new fuse and recheck system operation.
3.Measure voltage between ground and power side of fuse No. 16 fuse holder. If battery voltage is present, go to next step. If battery voltage is not present, locate and repair open circuit.
4.Remove instrument cluster. See REMOVAL & INSTALLATION . Reconnect negative battery cable. Measure voltage between ground and terminal No. 9 (Pink wire) at instrument cluster 10-pin Black connector. If battery voltage is present, reinstall instrument cluster and go to ACTUATOR TEST . If battery voltage is not present, repair open circuit between fuse No. 16 in PDC and instrument cluster 10-pin Black connector.
5.Remove and inspect fuse No. 9 (10-amp) in junction block. Junction block is located behind right side kick panel. If fuse is okay, go to next step. If fuse is blown, locate and repair cause of blown fuse. Install new fuse and recheck system operation.
6.Turn ignition on. Measure voltage between ground and power side of fuse No. 9 fuse holder. If battery voltage is present, go to next step. If battery voltage is not present, locate and repair open circuit between ignition switch and junction block.
7.Turn ignition on. Set parking brake and observe instrument cluster brake warning light. If brake warning light is on, go to next step. If brake warning light is off, go to step 9).
8.Turn parking lights on and adjust instrument panel lights dimmer rheostat to full bright position. If instrument panel lights are on, go to ACTUATOR TEST . If instrument panel lights are off, go to step 10).
9.Remove instrument cluster. See REMOVAL & INSTALLATION . Reconnect negative batter cable. Turn ignition on. Measure voltage between ground and terminal No. 8 (White/Black wire) at instrument cluster 10-pin Black connector. If battery voltage is present, go to ACTUATOR TEST . If battery voltage is not present, locate and repair open circuit.
10.Remove instrument cluster. See REMOVAL & INSTALLATION . Using an ohmmeter, check for continuity between ground and terminal No. 1 (Black/Light Green wire) at instrument cluster 10-pin Black connector. If continuity exists, go to ACTUATOR TEST . If continuity does not exist, locate and repair open in ground circuit.

ACTUATOR TEST
Diagnostic Aids
Instrument actuator test will put instrument cluster into self-diagnostic mode. In this mode, instrument cluster will position each of the gauge needles at various specified calibration points, and turn all Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus message-controlled indicator lights on and off at specified time intervals. See Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 . Successful completion of actuator test will confirm that instrument cluster circuitry, gauges and indicator lights are capable of operating properly. If test is successful, a problem may still exist with CCD data bus, Powertrain Control Module (PCM) or Air Bag Control Module (ACM).
If an individual gauge does not respond properly or at all during actuator test, remove instrument cluster. Check tightness of suspect gauge mounting screws on printed circuit board. If screws are loose, reinstall instrument cluster and retest. If screws are tight, replace instrument cluster.
If an individual indicator light does not illuminate during actuator test, remove instrument cluster. Check indicator light bulb and bulb holder. Repair as necessary and retest. If indicator bulb is okay and bulb holder is installed properly, replace instrument cluster.
Actuator Test
Turn ignition off. Depress and hold down trip odometer reset button. Turn ignition on. DO NOT start engine. Release trip odometer reset button. Compare operation of suspect gauge(s) and/or indicator light(s) with chart. See Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 .
Instrument cluster will exit self-diagnostics mode at completion of test, or if ignition switch is turned off. If instrument cluster gauge(s) and/or indictor light(s) do not respond properly during actuator test, see DIAGNOSTIC AIDS before replacing instrument cluster. Repeat actuator test if necessary.
Fig. 1:

Fig. 2:

AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT TEST
If AIR BAG warning light illuminates for 12 seconds or more, or stays on all the time, a system malfunction exists and trouble code will be stored. For air bag system testing procedures, see the AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM article.
If air bag indicator light does not illuminate when ignition is on, replace air bag indicator bulb and retest. If air bag indicator light still does not illuminate, perform PRELIMINARY DIAGNOSIS .
If after performing PRELIMINARY DIAGNOSIS and ACTUATOR TEST , air bag indicator light and instrument cluster circuitry is okay, diagnosis of air bag system and Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus should be performed.
For air bag system testing procedures, see the AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM article. For CCD data bus testing, check for opens and shorts in CCD data bus circuits.

Reomving the battery cables for 5 mins should reset the sytem. If you then lock and unlock the doors before attempting to start. This should work. Is the vehicle trying to start? Is it firing up then stalling out. Or is it just turnig over and not firing? Or is it doing nothing? Let me know

ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM
NOTE:Anti-theft system may also be referred to as Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS).

Anti-theft system monitors vehicle doors, ignition switch, power door locks, and door key cylinder switches to determine if alarm should be sounded and engine prevented from starting. When an unauthorized entry is detected, system responds by sounding horn, and by flashing headlights, taillights and park lights for 3 minutes. BCM also sends a message to PCM, preventing engine from starting.
System can be armed by using remote keyless entry transmitter or by pressing power door lock switch when exiting vehicle. Anti-theft system uses a security light located above instrument cluster to indicate when system is armed. System can be disarmed by unlocking a front door, liftgate or by remote keyless entry transmitter. If vehicle is tampered with, anti-theft indicator light will change from a slow steady flash to a quick double flash and horn chirp will not function when lock command is received from remote keyless entry transmitter.
Panic alert mode flashes headlight and taillights, pulses horn and disarms alarm. Driver can exit panic alert mode by either pushing panic button on remote keyless entry transmitter or by driving vehicle above 15 MPH.
**************Whenever BCM is replaced, anti-theft system must be enabled by unlocking doors with key one time or by using scan tool. This allows BCM to see that the vehicle is equipped with an anti-theft system.**************

I understand what you are saying. But . If it was the immoboliser. The car would fire up and then die again straight away. Because the immoboliser (factory fitted) to the vehicle kills the injector pulse. So you would get fuel from initial pump on @ key on. Which would let the car fire up. Then the immoboliser kills the fuel. It does not kill the starter motor. So you should be getting the car turning over. If it is an OEM factory(jeep)fit immoboliser. And not something fitted later which kills the starter. You need to check your getting power to the starter motor @ key on?