You near JasonsAuto? He'll treat you right.

I'm betting it's the bold. I had a car with a manual that had the safety switch on the clutch go out and it did the same thing (wouldn't even try to turn over though electrical stuff worked).

For a shade tree mechanic it might be but not for a shop. They could have checked to see if the starter was -1st, getting power-2cnd, would crank when it did get power. Someone didn't take the time to diagnose it correctly.

Probably a dumb question (I know more about manuals than automatics), but if it is the NSS, would trying to start it in Neutral instead of Park make a difference?

Not sure, but I would take it back to the shop and tell them that it didn't solve the problem so they need to try again.

this.

and this is what i would try first...

It started last Thursday, got in it, first crank got nothing, 2nd time it turned over. Drove Friday and Saturday no problem. Would not start all day Sunday. After a few tries it started on Monday and I drove it straight to the shop. It obviously fired when I picked it up and it fired first thing this morning when I pulled it out to the street. Now it won't turn.

and i would wiggle the ground cable, if its not tight at the block it will do the same thing as described.

**** me this worked. Can I rely on this all the time?

Should work for quite awhile. I would recommend finding a friend that will help you recondition it.

You seem nice.

my 90s cherokee had a NSS problem. If you can start it by pushing the gear shifter forward it's the NSS. I can't remember if mine wouldn't turn over or if there was nothing happening at all when I turned the key.

Electrical will function. Purpose is to prevent ability to start when in gear. For safety reasons the NSS will only allow start in park or neutral.

I just had this happen to my 1999 XJ. It is an easy repair, took me about an hour and a few beers. Here is the write up I used.
www-
jeep-xj.info/HowtoNSSrebuild.htm -Sorry I can't Link.

My problem was that one of the contacts, with the springs behind it, had become lodged inside the slot. Remove the contacts slowly so the spring doesn't shoot out and get lost. The hardest part is getting the plug fed back up the firewall. Also use a flat head screw driver to pry the NSS of the transmission, by gently using the edge of the tranny for leverage.