Chrysler Repair: 96 Cherokee: wont start. May be security?, transition year, security light

Question
it HAS 207k MILES & it will power on with the key, but won't crank over-the security light remains on, altho' the horn doesn't beep or lights flash. the gauges don't move either. Is there something we can do to get it started again (we also put an additional 5 gallons of gas in it-but it still thinks it's empty...)

Answer
Hi Sharry,
It could be many causes, the best way to fins out is a fault code readout.
'96 was a 'transition year' when a new code system was being adopted so you may or may not be able to get the codes using the ignition key: turn it "on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the check engine light, which remains 'on', to see it begin to flash, pause, flash, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause. Then repeat to be sure that you have an accurate set of counts. Then tell me the counts in the order of appearance. The last two sets of flashes should be 5 in each, which means 'end of readout'. The counts that appear before that will be helpful to know.
The theft alarm might be the cause, but if that were the case it would start, but then die after a couple of seconds, rather than not starting at all.
Roland