Changing a starter

[Powerline1972]

Hello WranglerTJ members. I’m new to this forum but have been a Jeep tj owner since 2006. I’ve found the tj to be an easy vehicle to work on but lately I’ve been running into challenges as I put on more miles such as changing a timing belt, new fuel pump, a new radiator but now I’m dealing with a dark hole. The starter motor. I’ve been dealing with a crank, no start situation for several months but now it’s become a no crank no start. The no crank has me at wits end. I’m looking at the ignition, the pcm, ecu, the starter. When I turn the key there’s power but no click, nothing. So I’m contemplating the direction to go but the starter fills me with dread. The location is near inaccessible. Today I did a practice run, checking what fittings to use. There’s two bolts , one low the other high up almost covered by the firewall. Help, there’s no way to get any leverage on the bolts I can see. Any advice? Thanks.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

When you have "power but no click, nothing" is that power at the smaller wire connected to the starter or just power in general on the dashboard?

 

[JKP]

What engine? Transmission? On my 06, 4.0, 6M changing the starter is a 10 min job.

The no click, no crank would lead me to believe it's the ignition actuator pin in the column. Check out the youtube vids on it. There's instructions on how to start it with a screwdriver if that is the issue.

 

[Powerline1972]

When you have "power but no click, nothing" is that power at the smaller wire connected to the starter or just power in general on the dashboard?

Hey, first off thanks for the reply. I’m going by power at the dash and pcm.

 

[Powerline1972]

What engine? Transmission? On my 06, 4.0, 6M changing the starter is a 10 min job.

The no click, no crank would lead me to believe it's the ignition actuator pin in the column. Check out the youtube vids on it. There's instructions on how to start it with a screwdriver if that is the issue.

Hey, thanks for the reply. It’s a 2004 2.4L TJ FLAME RED. 2 door. Auto trans no a/c

 

[Powerline1972]

Hey, thanks for the reply. It’s a 2004 2.4L TJ FLAME RED. 2 door. Auto trans no a/c

Yeah, I found an excellent tube showing that but the ignition is in pretty good condition

 

[Powerline1972]

Hey, thanks for the reply. It’s a 2004 2.4L TJ FLAME RED. 2 door. Auto trans no a/c

About 15 mins ago I actually got the bottom bolt out (from the starter motor, I’m going to bench test it or take it to autozone to test) using a iron pipe that I cut to a short length and found just enough space for leverage to break it then used a impact to finish it but man it is so dam cramp under there that I bet they raise that engine out the bay to get at it.. I’ll take a photo and post it later.

 

[hear]

I don't think I've ever worked on a non-lifted TJ, so I think we sometimes forget how much easier it is to be underneath ours than a stock height jeep.

 

[JKP]

About 15 mins ago I actually got the bottom bolt out (from the starter motor, I’m going to bench test it or take it to autozone to test) using a iron pipe that I cut to a short length and found just enough space for leverage to break it then used a impact to finish it but man it is so dam cramp under there that I bet they raise that engine out the bay to get at it.. I’ll take a photo and post it later.

Wow, never dealt with the 4 cyl, AT. It must be a completely different setup.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Wow, never dealt with the 4 cyl, AT. It must be a completely different setup.

They are BEASTS!

 

[Powerline1972]

I don't think I've ever worked on a non-lifted TJ, so I think we sometimes forget how much easier it is to be underneath ours than a stock height jeep.

Yes, it's a trip man, claustrophobic even. If I had "known" it would break down and not start I would had had it in a garage, lol

 

[Powerline1972]

They are BEASTS!
View attachment 444363

Almost indestructible, but they rust like crazy

 

[Rickyd]

Almost indestructible, but they rust like crazy

My brother had one he beat the snot out of. He could never break any ujoints diffs or shafts with that fire breathing 2.5l/auto! Had a rear driveshaft ujoint bind up one time and it just slowed him to a crawl,lol

 

[macleanflood]

I can have that flame red Jeep stripped to the frame in two days. In a gravel driveway. =)

Good work and keep going...you can fix it!

-Mac

 

[Powerline1972]

I can have that flame red Jeep stripped to the frame in two days. In a gravel driveway. =)

Good work and keep going...you can fix it!

-Mac

Wish I had those skills, thanks, I’m close to pulling the starter, I just put a small breaker bar and it cracked a couple of time. Everything I’m doing is one handed, broke my wrist a month ago but getting there.

 

[Powerline1972]

My brother had one he beat the snot out of. He could never break any ujoints diffs or shafts with that fire breathing 2.5l/auto! Had a rear driveshaft ujoint bind up one time and it just slowed him to a crawl,lol

Awesome

 

[SSTJ]

So I’m contemplating the direction to go but the starter fills me with dread. The location is near inaccessible. Today I did a practice run, checking what fittings to use. There’s two bolts , one low the other high up almost covered by the firewall. Help, there’s no way to get any leverage on the bolts I can see. Any advice? Thanks.

I replaced my starter recently and it was no trouble. I don't know what changed with the 2.4 though. Mine is the 2.5.

Everything I’m doing is one handed, broke my wrist a month ago but getting there.

Ok sure, that's going to make any job hard. Hope it works out.

 

[Powerline1972]

About 15 mins ago I actually got the bottom bolt out (from the starter motor, I’m going to bench test it or take it to autozone to test) using a iron pipe that I cut to a short length and found just enough space for leverage to break it then used a impact to finish it but man it is so dam cramp under there that I bet they raise that engine out the bay to get at it.. I’ll take a photo and post it later.

Wish I had those skills, thanks, I’m close to pulling the starter, I just put a small breaker bar and it cracked a couple of time. Everything I’m doing is one handed, broke my wrist a month ago but getting there.

I can have that flame red Jeep stripped to the frame in two days. In a gravel driveway. =)

Good work and keep going...you can fix it!

-Mac

Awesome

Its was 12:03 pm, 100 degrees in sun, no shade, swollen wrist, feeling great, after a week, I got that DAMN top bolt out, took a hammer and iron rod and tapped on the bolt and the starter mount then finished off with a 12 volt Bosch pocket impact drill. Now I can get this thing bench tested and continue with my summer project, a running Jeep, feeling accomplished, thanks for all advices.

 

[Powerline1972]

Its was 12:03 pm, 100 degrees in sun, no shade, swollen wrist, feeling great, after a week, I got that DAMN top bolt out, took a hammer and iron rod and tapped on the bolt and the starter mount then finished off with a 12 volt Bosch pocket impact drill. Came pretty close to rounding it off. Now I can get this thing bench tested and continue with my summer project, a running Jeep, feeling accomplished, thanks for all advices.