Short in ignition harness shutdown jeep cherokee sport

ignition switch most likely. new ones come with a pin insalled to keep it locked. put new stitch on with pin installed key off. tighten screws then remove pin

try looking for a short in the wiring harness and do they run to the same fuse

Your solution is simple,1998 Jeep Cherokee. The ASD relay gives power to the fuel pump the injectors and distributor also the Oxygen sensor heater circuit. 1st check the fuel pump fuse make sure its not open. If it is open you are dealing with a short to power located at the Oxygen heater circuit,these wire are prone to short together you may have to open the wiring harness and make the inspection if power steering fluid or transmission fluid has degraded the wires you will have to solve for the fluid leaking to protect the harness(wires) from shorting

In a 96 Jeep not many sensors are involved. Basically Fuel and spark delivery at right time should start car if your Starter is able to crank the Engine.
If engine is cranking then the battery is Okay. Check Spark directly at the spark plugs and fuel pressure at the fuel rail. You may pull out one spark plug and check spark out of engine.
Try spraying Starting fluid in Air Intake while cranking. If Jeep starts then not enough fuel is being delivered by fuel pump. If you find no spark at plugs then check circuit for starter relay, Crank sensor/cam sensor problems.
A kill switch or bad Alarm system can also cause this problem.
Here is the Elec Diagram:
http://www.alldatapro.com/alldata/PRO~V451756054~C28087~R0~OB0~P4R0H~N/0/41746574/56418469/56418476/56418477/34853741/34864081/56251052/56251070/55276088/76721401/58958330/57479434

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/uttamjeet_2f3adc18600f8ede

it is located under the hood in the main fuse box on the left hand side by the battery small black rectangular box

Hope this helps:
Cavity/Fuse Diagram (1996 Grand Cherokee, passenger side kick plate to find, Owner's Manual pgs 205-206): 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Row 1: 1-6 (left to right) Row 2: 7-12 Row 3: 13-18 Row 4: 19-22
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Fuse Panel (Passenger Side kick panel) Reply

CAVITY FUSE DESCRIPTION 1 -10 amp (RED) Radio 2 -15 amp (Lt Blue) Cigarette Lighter 3 -10 amp (RED) Rear Washer Switch, Body Controller 4 -10 amp (RED) Airbag 5 -10 amp (RED) Lamp Out Module, Overdrive Switch, OBD II 6 -15 amp (Lt Blue) Vehicle Information Center/Graphic Display Module Park & Side Lamps, Overhead Console Lighted Visor, Automatic Dimming Mirror 7 -20 amp (Yellow) Body Amp, Cluster, Body Controller 8 -20 amp (Yellow) Rear Wiper Motor, Flipper Glass Solenoid, Cargo Lamp, Trailer Tow 9 -15 amp (Lt Blue) Brake Switch 10- 10 amp (RED) Rear Window Defroster 11 -10 amp (RED) ABS Module 12 -10 amp (RED) Heater-Ventilation-A/C Control & Recirculation Motor 13 -15 amp (Lt Blue) Hazard Switch, Turn Signal Switch 14 -15 amp (Lt Blue) Spare 15 -15 amp (Lt Blue) Spare 16 -10 amp (RED) Right & Left Courtesy Lamp, Glove Box Lamp, Halo Lamp Cargo Lamp, Underhood Lamp, Dome/Read Lamp Right & Left Visor, Automatic Dimming Mirror 17 -15 amp (Lt Blue) Radio Illumination, Tail Lamp, Graphic Display Module, Park & Side Lamps, Headlamp Switch, Body Controller 18 -20 amp (Yellow) Spare 19 -15 amp (Lt Blue) Passing Light 20 -15 amp (Lt Blue) Radio, Heater-Ventilation-A/C, Vehicle Information Center 21 -15 amp (Lt Blue) Power Outlet 22 -10 amp (Blue) Airbag Module -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Alarm, Remote Starter, Keyless Entry Wiring Information Constant 12V+ Pink/Black Ignition Switch Harness Starter Yellow Ignition Switch Harness Ignition Dark Blue/Gray Ignition Switch Harness Ignition 2 Red/Black Ignition Switch Harness (for AC) Accessory Black/Orange Ignition Switch Harness Tach Gray/White Coil Brake Switch White/Tan Brake Switch Trunk Pin n/a Works with Dome Light Parking Lights Blue/Red (+) Left of Steering Column or Light Switch Head Lamp Tan/Black Light Switch Factory Disarm Purple/Yellow (-) Driver's Kick Panel Black Connector at ECM Door Trigger Yellow (-) Driver's Kick Panel see notes Door Lock 5/Wire in Driver's Inside Driver's Door Orange/Purple Lock Pink/Black Unlock Door Unlock and Passenger's Doors Inside Passenger's Door Black/White L Pink/Black Unlock Horn Wire Gray/Orange (-) Steering Column Windows Up LF=Light Blue, RF=Brown/White, LR=Blue/White, RR=Gray/Black Doors Windows Down LF=White, RF=Purple/White, LR=Red/Black, RR=Green/White
• Cruise Control Information • Stereo Information • View all Jeep Vehicles

Your on the right track, I would also verify battery voltage from the ignition switch.

I think I have found the problem. When I wiggle the ignition switch the turn signals and radio go on and off so I feel the issue is in the ignition switch. From what I understand the actual electronics for the switch are at the base of the sterring column behind the lower dash panel and is connected by a rod that may need adjusting.

if the fuse keeps blowing chances are that there is a short in the circuit. check the harness related to fuel system.

The 30 amp fuse is most likely for your starter. Check that the red thick wire (could be black as well) leading to the starter and starter solenoid is properly attached and is not touching anything that would short it out and therefore blow the 30 amp fuse. The short may even be inside the starter in which case it will need to be replaced or repaired. Hope this helps.
Alex