2000 TJ. Manual 4.0.Jeep has been running like a top. Over the winter I upgraded Alternator, Charging system, swapped transmission, replaced fan clutch. Yesterday I run an errand, come back to the jeep, turn the key, No start. Dash lights up. I mention the upgrades in case it gives a clue on what I might have screwed up, however, I've driven it hundreds of miles with no changes recently. I
Things that I know
- Jumpering spade connector and hot wire on starter, it starts right up.
- Clutch switch is bypassed with fuse in position 20. Checked fuse, fuse is good. Switched fuse to be sure.
- Battery is fairly new Odyssey and shows around 12.88 Volts. When I put it to run, there is no drain on the battery according to the volt meter.
- I jumpered a wire from the spade connector on the starter to the positive lead on a voltmeter and ran the negative lead from the voltmeter to the battery. When I tried turning it over, I see 0 volts on the spade connector. My understanding is that it should go to 12 volts. Since the negative lead is going directly to the battery it seems like that would rule out a ground problem at the starter itself.
- I swapped the starter relay for the horn relay. I tested the horn with both relays and the horn worked. Car did not start with either relay.
- I replaced the ignition switch and ignition actuator since it seemed like maybe that was broken. It wasn't. Tried turning car over with screwdriver turning ignition switch, thinking maybe the tumbler was broken. It did not start, so its not the tumbler. Tested the starter fuse for continuity. Fuse is good.
- One of the starter bolts worked its way loose recently and the starter may have been jostled around some. My first thought was replace the starter except that there is no 12 volts coming from the spade connector that goes to the starter when I turn the key so it seems like it isn't. I even removed the spade connector and tested for 12V independent of the started and got 0 volts. Well, I have .01 volts at rest and it changes to 0 when I turn the key.
- I removed and retightened battery post connectors. Everything is clean.
My conclusion from these facts is that something is preventing 12 volts to getting to the start terminal when I turn the key.
What I don't know:
- How to test anything in the relay box under the hood besides swapping relays.
- How to test a wire coming from the ignition either for volts or continuity when I turn the key. I've seen a pink wire mentioned but not sure the testing process.
- How to test backward for continuity from the spade connector
- I saw someone mention a process to jumper two posts in the relay box, or jump 12 volts directly to a pin on the relay which would basically narrow it down to either before or after the relay, but it was for an 05 and the relay numbers didn't correspond.
I am decently mechanically inclined but practically have dyslexia when it comes to reading wiring diagrams but if someone as one I'll take it gratefully.
Thanks in advance. In the meantime I'm just traveling with a screwdriver to start it.
Things that I know
- Jumpering spade connector and hot wire on starter, it starts right up.
- Clutch switch is bypassed with fuse in position 20. Checked fuse, fuse is good. Switched fuse to be sure.
- Battery is fairly new Odyssey and shows around 12.88 Volts. When I put it to run, there is no drain on the battery according to the volt meter.
- I jumpered a wire from the spade connector on the starter to the positive lead on a voltmeter and ran the negative lead from the voltmeter to the battery. When I tried turning it over, I see 0 volts on the spade connector. My understanding is that it should go to 12 volts. Since the negative lead is going directly to the battery it seems like that would rule out a ground problem at the starter itself.
- I swapped the starter relay for the horn relay. I tested the horn with both relays and the horn worked. Car did not start with either relay.
- I replaced the ignition switch and ignition actuator since it seemed like maybe that was broken. It wasn't. Tried turning car over with screwdriver turning ignition switch, thinking maybe the tumbler was broken. It did not start, so its not the tumbler. Tested the starter fuse for continuity. Fuse is good.
- One of the starter bolts worked its way loose recently and the starter may have been jostled around some. My first thought was replace the starter except that there is no 12 volts coming from the spade connector that goes to the starter when I turn the key so it seems like it isn't. I even removed the spade connector and tested for 12V independent of the started and got 0 volts. Well, I have .01 volts at rest and it changes to 0 when I turn the key.
- I removed and retightened battery post connectors. Everything is clean.
My conclusion from these facts is that something is preventing 12 volts to getting to the start terminal when I turn the key.
What I don't know:
- How to test anything in the relay box under the hood besides swapping relays.
- How to test a wire coming from the ignition either for volts or continuity when I turn the key. I've seen a pink wire mentioned but not sure the testing process.
- How to test backward for continuity from the spade connector
- I saw someone mention a process to jumper two posts in the relay box, or jump 12 volts directly to a pin on the relay which would basically narrow it down to either before or after the relay, but it was for an 05 and the relay numbers didn't correspond.
I am decently mechanically inclined but practically have dyslexia when it comes to reading wiring diagrams but if someone as one I'll take it gratefully.
Thanks in advance. In the meantime I'm just traveling with a screwdriver to start it.
