Engine completely died and now it doesn't crank

Omega81

Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2019
Messages
52
Location
Ohio
I have a 2004 Jeep Wrangler TJ. 5 speed manual transmission. Not sure of the model. For the last couple of days it's been harder to shift into gears. Somtimes a little grinding. (Yes clutch all they way down.) More so when the vehicle is at operating temperature. I went on a drive today about 10 minutes and then way back home I come to a stop sign.. clutch in, hard to get in the first but it did snap in. Started to let off the clutch with some gas and there is a noticeable pop. Sounded like it came from underneath me. Engine completely died. And now there's no crank. All electrical and power seems fine. Something to note after the pop I can easily and smoothly go into every gear now. I just recently put a new engine in new clutch new flywheel new bearings. Clutch pedal is still stiff. Thoughts?
 
Put a 20 amp fuse in the clutch interlock bypass slot (position 20), put the transfer case in neutral and see if it will start. If it does, try again with the transfer case in gear and the transmission in neutral. If it starts again, the problem is likely within the clutch/flywheel assembly.

Otherwise something may have come loose and seized. The only way to check would be to remove the transmission
 
Put a 20 amp fuse in the clutch interlock bypass slot (position 20), put the transfer case in neutral and see if it will start. If it does, try again with the transfer case in gear and the transmission in neutral. If it starts again, the problem is likely within the clutch/flywheel assembly.

Otherwise something may have come loose and seized. The only way to check would be to remove the transmission
Thank you for your response. I did as you suggested and there's still no crank. No click at the solenoid. Anything else anyone can think of before I tear this down this week?
 
If the starter solenoid isn't even clicking when the key is turned, that's likely a starting issue, not a transmission issue.
Try the following:
1. Clean the battery terminals and make everything clean and shiny using steel wool or another abrasive. Particularly the battery posts, the inside of the clamps, and any contact surfaces on the ring terminals.
2. Tap on the starter at the solenoid with a hammer or another piece of metal in between attempts to turn it over. This could jog a bad solenoid and get it to start, although it cannot be relied upon. Don't tap hard enough to dent it unless you plan to replace it anyways.
3. Test that the starter is receiving 12 volts at the positive and negative terminals. Clean them like the battery terminals if they're corroded.
4. Swap the starter relay with another non-important relay such as the fog light relay to see if the relay has gone bad. Also check the fuse for that circuit. Attempt to start.
5. Use a small piece of wire or metal to jump the 3rd pin on the starter directly to the positive pin. If it starts here there's an issue with the starter circuit. Keep your hands clear of any moving parts. The jeep must NOT be in gear as it WILL start if it can regardless of whether the clutch interlock is disabled or the vehicle is in gear or neutral. (Don't get run over by your own car.)
 
If the starter solenoid isn't even clicking when the key is turned, that's likely a starting issue, not a transmission issue.
Try the following:
1. Clean the battery terminals and make everything clean and shiny using steel wool or another abrasive. Particularly the battery posts, the inside of the clamps, and any contact surfaces on the ring terminals.
2. Tap on the starter at the solenoid with a hammer or another piece of metal in between attempts to turn it over. This could jog a bad solenoid and get it to start, although it cannot be relied upon. Don't tap hard enough to dent it unless you plan to replace it anyways.
3. Test that the starter is receiving 12 volts at the positive and negative terminals. Clean them like the battery terminals if they're corroded.
4. Swap the starter relay with another non-important relay such as the fog light relay to see if the relay has gone bad. Also check the fuse for that circuit. Attempt to start.
5. Use a small piece of wire or metal to jump the 3rd pin on the starter directly to the positive pin. If it starts here there's an issue with the starter circuit. Keep your hands clear of any moving parts. The jeep must NOT be in gear as it WILL start if it can regardless of whether the clutch interlock is disabled or the vehicle is in gear or neutral. (Don't get run over by your own car.)
Thank you. I will do all of what you have suggested this week. I'll post updates as I come across them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Steel City 06
If it went pop underneath you and now shifts easy then something may have let go in the transmission, locking it up. This should not cause the engine to not even engage the solenoid though. After fuse and starter try rocking the Jeep forward and back a foot or so. If it let's you roll it then there is hope the pop was not terminal. But the now easy shifter movement sounds like the forks may have dislodged. But that still won't prevent it starting up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Steel City 06
If it went pop underneath you and now shifts easy then something may have let go in the transmission, locking it up. This should not cause the engine to not even engage the solenoid though. After fuse and starter try rocking the Jeep forward and back a foot or so. If it let's you roll it then there is hope the pop was not terminal. But the now easy shifter movement sounds like the forks may have dislodged. But that still won't prevent it starting up.
got some free time today so I did what you suggested. Neutral parking brake off rolled forward and back. 1st and reverse does not roll. 5th gear can make it roll a little bit.
 
If the starter solenoid isn't even clicking when the key is turned, that's likely a starting issue, not a transmission issue.
Try the following:
1. Clean the battery terminals and make everything clean and shiny using steel wool or another abrasive. Particularly the battery posts, the inside of the clamps, and any contact surfaces on the ring terminals.
2. Tap on the starter at the solenoid with a hammer or another piece of metal in between attempts to turn it over. This could jog a bad solenoid and get it to start, although it cannot be relied upon. Don't tap hard enough to dent it unless you plan to replace it anyways.
3. Test that the starter is receiving 12 volts at the positive and negative terminals. Clean them like the battery terminals if they're corroded.
4. Swap the starter relay with another non-important relay such as the fog light relay to see if the relay has gone bad. Also check the fuse for that circuit. Attempt to start.
5. Use a small piece of wire or metal to jump the 3rd pin on the starter directly to the positive pin. If it starts here there's an issue with the starter circuit. Keep your hands clear of any moving parts. The jeep must NOT be in gear as it WILL start if it can regardless of whether the clutch interlock is disabled or the vehicle is in gear or neutral. (Don't get run over by your own car.)
I was able to check all fuses, switch out relays. Clean battery terminals. I smacked the solenoid on the starter a few times. Nothing so far I want to go out and get a voltmeter and do some more this week. Keep you updated.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Steel City 06
got some free time today so I did what you suggested. Neutral parking brake off rolled forward and back. 1st and reverse does not roll. 5th gear can make it roll a little bit.
Sounds like the trans should be fine.👍 without a multimeter trying to find an electrical demon👿 is nearly impossible. Keep us posted. Good luck. The "pop" could be a fuseable link or just a connector shorting out.
 
Update. Did a lot of testing and it seemed to me that it was the ignition switch. The ignition switch was $30. After installing it still wouldn't crank over so I tested the starter one more time. For some reason it was fried. So I ended up buying a new starter for$130 installing it. Could a failing ignition switch or a failing starter compromise the other component? Also, the shifting has been really smooth and it's kind of worrisome. And used to shift really hard. But now it's a dream. What could pop underneath me and make the tranny shift really smooth?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chris
You've got me puzzled. I'd take that smooth shifting transmission though and run with it.

As for the failing ignition switch compromising another component, I don't think that's possible unless there was an electrical short or something.