Chrysler Repair: 1994 Jeep Cherokee Laredo: engine cuts off, after seconds, jeep cherokee laredo, jeep manuals

Question
QUESTION: Can you help me and my son. He has a 1994 Jeep Cherokee Laredo.  The interior lights are flickering off and on constantly, without the key in the ignition. And the car would not start. The battery was replaced. The lights are still flickering & the jeep still will not start. Any suggestions?

ANSWER: Hi Marigrace,
I suspect that one of the doors is not securely closed and so the interior lights are on the edge of going 'on' all the time. Try pushing in from the outside or out from the inside on all the doors to find out which one is the source of the problem. Then move the latch striker mounted in the that door's frame in-board a small amount to make it more tightly closed. Then recharge the battery and and see if it will start.
Roland

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Roland,
Thank you so much for your prompt attention to this matter. I failed to mention that the exterior lights and headlights are also flickering. The car starts for 3 seconds and then shuts off. Apparently there is a major electrical short somewhere.  I can not find a solution on these forums. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Answer
Hi Marigrace,
That shut down promptly and repeatedly after 3 seconds is symptomatic of the anti-theft system not being disarmed*. The exterior light flashing is also part of the alarm. While I don't have Jeep manuals, the way Chrysler disarming is done is by the door locks. Try to lock, then unlock the passenger-side door using the key. If the wire between the lock and the body control module is good that action should disrarm the system and allow the engine to keep running. Probable the wire on the driver side door is 'open'.
To avoid the problem you can never set the alarm. To do that simply use the mechanical lock buttons on the inside of the doors as you leave the vehicle in order to secure it. Don't use the power door lock switches, or the door key, or a key fob if there is one.
Roland
*There is probably a system status light on the top of the dash. It should be 'out' when the system is disarmed.