Jeep Wrangler TJ won't start? Read this!
- Thread starter Chris
- Start date
gulf coast TJ
New Member
How do I test the solenoid? This is a dumb question, but a new starter comes with a new solenoid attached, no? How would that be a problem?
Typically when you buy a starter the solenoid comes with it.... The solenoid pushes the starter gear out to engage the flywheel. After you release the key that gear retracts so the starter is not turning while the engine is running.
So if your starter is spinning but the motor is not turning over typically the solenoid is the problem.
Back in the day you used to be able to take the solenoid apart and flip the contacts and gain more life out of it. ( i have not done that in many years) also you used to be able to buy just the solenoid.
gulf coast TJ
New Member
I have another brand new solenoid. I'll see if I can take the current one apart and flip the contacts.
It has been sitting for awhile. I plugged jumper cables to it and it will spin, but if I take the cables off, I get nothing. At this point I may have battery issues as well.
SOMD-JeepFan
Member
Pull the starter out of the jeep and hook up a set of jumper cables from the battery to the starter. Check to see if the gear pushes out as if it is trying to engage the flywheel.
I have a question about my sons 97, he just called and said when he turns the key on he got nothing (no gauges,dash lights or radio) then while talking to him he said it started rite up any ideas would be really helpful as I'm new to these. Thanks
OP
So it starts fine now and all the gauges and everything work?
I'd say it's likely an electrical gremlin (these things are known for them), or an ignition pin actuator starting to go bad possibly (another common issue).
Yes all gauges are working but just talked to him and he said light came on for check gauges but they all were working.....electrical issue i suppose.
rrschott
New Member
Need help. Parked my 97 tj (4 cyl 5 speed if it matters) for a couple weeks after troubleshooting a lack of power on the IOD circuit (corroded wire inside the PDC under the hood). Came back to it to take advantage of the beautiful weather, and Jeep is dead as a doornail. No power on the key on circuits.
Battery measures 12.30v, grounds to the block and frame confirmed good, engine turns over if I jump the starter solinoid, all fuses I can find are visually good and check out with a meter, lights all work as expected, hazards work, and the heater blower comes on with the key and cuts out with the key in the start position.
Odometer won't come on, not the radio or any guages.
I've tried replacing the ignition switch to no effect. Wiring diagrams in my Chilton's manual are next to useless to tell me where to look; it's like the circuits coming out of the key just magically appear at the fuse box.
Where do I start with this thing?
Battery measures 12.30v, grounds to the block and frame confirmed good, engine turns over if I jump the starter solinoid, all fuses I can find are visually good and check out with a meter, lights all work as expected, hazards work, and the heater blower comes on with the key and cuts out with the key in the start position.
Odometer won't come on, not the radio or any guages.
I've tried replacing the ignition switch to no effect. Wiring diagrams in my Chilton's manual are next to useless to tell me where to look; it's like the circuits coming out of the key just magically appear at the fuse box.
Where do I start with this thing?
rrschott
New Member
I did find the service manuals, and started looking through some of the circuits. I'm still a little befuddled, because all of the circuits that aren't behaving share a feed to the fuse box with the blower circuit that is working fine. I'll still check out the black/orange output of the key switch, but I was hoping someone might have some experiences to share that could point me in the right direction.
Shenry
New Member
Hello all, I have a 2002 TJ 4x4 with the 4.0 manual transmission. I just got my Jeep back from the body shop ( hood flew up while on the freeway
). Anyway and now my Jeep won’t start. The battery reads 12.4 volt and drops to 11.9 when I try to start it. All dash lights interior lights headlights and radio come in and work fine.
When I try to start it I only get a single click and that is it.
So after reading the very helpful write up and the beginning of this thread I edited to go check my readings with a volt meter to narrow down my problem before running out and buying g parts that I potentially may not need.
My mechanical knowledge is not quite beginner but it’s not the greatest either especially when it comes to anything electrical. So after I tested the battery terminals and got my 12.4 reading I decided to test the starter. With the red lead from my volt meter on the positive battery post and my black lead I touched to a metal part on the starter solenoid. I had 0 volt reading with the key in the off position, in the on position or when I tried to start it.
Now here is where I goofed cause I didn’t have my phone near me to keep reading the next steps from this forum.
I then moved my red lead and put it on the negative battery terminal (probably my first mistake, but as I said electrical stuff not my strong suit). Then I used my black lead and ran it down to the starter and still 0volts reading.
Next with my red lead still on the negative battery terminal I touched the black lead to the area on the starter that the red battery cable attaches to. Much to my surprise when the key was turned to start the Jeep it started instead of the single click I was expecting.i don’t know what it was that allowed my Jeep to start that time, if it was something I did or if it was random that it started.
My Jeep stayed running without any problems and drove fine. The gage inside showed my battery voltage was right where it was suppose to be. As soon as I parked it and shut it down I was back to the no starting issue with just a single click soubdcwhen I try to start it.
Any advice anyone can provide to me for this is greatly appreciated. I’m not sure if I need to replace the starter, the starter relay or possibly the ignition switch actuator. Thank you in advance for any advice anyone can give me.
). Anyway and now my Jeep won’t start. The battery reads 12.4 volt and drops to 11.9 when I try to start it. All dash lights interior lights headlights and radio come in and work fine. When I try to start it I only get a single click and that is it.
So after reading the very helpful write up and the beginning of this thread I edited to go check my readings with a volt meter to narrow down my problem before running out and buying g parts that I potentially may not need.
My mechanical knowledge is not quite beginner but it’s not the greatest either especially when it comes to anything electrical. So after I tested the battery terminals and got my 12.4 reading I decided to test the starter. With the red lead from my volt meter on the positive battery post and my black lead I touched to a metal part on the starter solenoid. I had 0 volt reading with the key in the off position, in the on position or when I tried to start it.
Now here is where I goofed cause I didn’t have my phone near me to keep reading the next steps from this forum.
I then moved my red lead and put it on the negative battery terminal (probably my first mistake, but as I said electrical stuff not my strong suit). Then I used my black lead and ran it down to the starter and still 0volts reading.
Next with my red lead still on the negative battery terminal I touched the black lead to the area on the starter that the red battery cable attaches to. Much to my surprise when the key was turned to start the Jeep it started instead of the single click I was expecting.i don’t know what it was that allowed my Jeep to start that time, if it was something I did or if it was random that it started.
My Jeep stayed running without any problems and drove fine. The gage inside showed my battery voltage was right where it was suppose to be. As soon as I parked it and shut it down I was back to the no starting issue with just a single click soubdcwhen I try to start it.
Any advice anyone can provide to me for this is greatly appreciated. I’m not sure if I need to replace the starter, the starter relay or possibly the ignition switch actuator. Thank you in advance for any advice anyone can give me.
Hello all, I have a 2002 TJ 4x4 with the 4.0 manual transmission. I just got my Jeep back from the body shop ( hood flew up while on the freeway
When I try to start it I only get a single click and that is it.
So after reading the very helpful write up and the beginning of this thread I edited to go check my readings with a volt meter to narrow down my problem before running out and buying g parts that I potentially may not need.
My mechanical knowledge is not quite beginner but it’s not the greatest either especially when it comes to anything electrical. So after I tested the battery terminals and got my 12.4 reading I decided to test the starter. With the red lead from my volt meter on the positive battery post and my black lead I touched to a metal part on the starter solenoid. I had 0 volt reading with the key in the off position, in the on position or when I tried to start it.
Now here is where I goofed cause I didn’t have my phone near me to keep reading the next steps from this forum.
I then moved my red lead and put it on the negative battery terminal (probably my first mistake, but as I said electrical stuff not my strong suit). Then I used my black lead and ran it down to the starter and still 0volts reading.
Next with my red lead still on the negative battery terminal I touched the black lead to the area on the starter that the red battery cable attaches to. Much to my surprise when the key was turned to start the Jeep it started instead of the single click I was expecting.i don’t know what it was that allowed my Jeep to start that time, if it was something I did or if it was random that it started.
My Jeep stayed running without any problems and drove fine. The gage inside showed my battery voltage was right where it was suppose to be. As soon as I parked it and shut it down I was back to the no starting issue with just a single click soubdcwhen I try to start it.
Any advice anyone can provide to me for this is greatly appreciated. I’m not sure if I need to replace the starter, the starter relay or possibly the ignition switch actuator. Thank you in advance for any advice anyone can give me.
Try disconnecting the battery terminals and cleaning them really well with a terminal cleaner or some sand paper. It sounds like a grounding issue.
badmatty
New Member
Great thread.
I'll toss my hat in the ring. Pretty knowledgeable about diagnostics, but the scenario is tough.
Intermittent No Crank - This has happened 5 or 6 times over the last year. Sometimes it will start after a few minute, other times the next day. Then it will work perfectly for months. It has happened twice in the last ~week
* Battery tests great
* Starter is recent.
* Jumping power to the solenoid always cranks the starter when problem is happening
* Swapped starter relay with known good (from the panel)
* Automatic Trans - tried neutral and part...back and forth, etc.
* Working with Mrs. while readying to try to test solenoid feed, asked her to put it in Run, as I do, I use my probe to apply power, it cranks but wont start...again and again. Got interrupted at this point and then don't have time to test again till today.
* Go out today to try to test again, it starts, first try, and repeatedly.
* A grain of salt on whether or not Mrs had it in run, but I asked and explained and she confirmed
* When I bought this '03 TJ, it had a very sloppy key. If I pulled it outward while running, the radio would cut out. I had one cut from the VIN and that's been perfect since (1.5 yr).
I found this thread and read through it. I was about to pull the ignition apart to examine the piece between the tumbler and the switch. I figured I'd would post regardless.
Back story, I totaled my other car yesterday, so normally this would be an issue, but now I'm in a bind. It's also raining like a sonofagun today. I need it for work tomorrow, but of course, a bit nervous.
The intermittency leads me to think it may be the ignition switch itself, just haven't had a chance to test wile failed.
Ever run across this? Suggestions welcome.
I'll toss my hat in the ring. Pretty knowledgeable about diagnostics, but the scenario is tough.
Intermittent No Crank - This has happened 5 or 6 times over the last year. Sometimes it will start after a few minute, other times the next day. Then it will work perfectly for months. It has happened twice in the last ~week
* Battery tests great
* Starter is recent.
* Jumping power to the solenoid always cranks the starter when problem is happening
* Swapped starter relay with known good (from the panel)
* Automatic Trans - tried neutral and part...back and forth, etc.
* Working with Mrs. while readying to try to test solenoid feed, asked her to put it in Run, as I do, I use my probe to apply power, it cranks but wont start...again and again. Got interrupted at this point and then don't have time to test again till today.
* Go out today to try to test again, it starts, first try, and repeatedly.
* A grain of salt on whether or not Mrs had it in run, but I asked and explained and she confirmed
* When I bought this '03 TJ, it had a very sloppy key. If I pulled it outward while running, the radio would cut out. I had one cut from the VIN and that's been perfect since (1.5 yr).
I found this thread and read through it. I was about to pull the ignition apart to examine the piece between the tumbler and the switch. I figured I'd would post regardless.
Back story, I totaled my other car yesterday, so normally this would be an issue, but now I'm in a bind. It's also raining like a sonofagun today. I need it for work tomorrow, but of course, a bit nervous.
The intermittency leads me to think it may be the ignition switch itself, just haven't had a chance to test wile failed.
Ever run across this? Suggestions welcome.
OP
badmatty
New Member
badmatty
New Member
Everything went pretty well. I replaced the actuator and the switch. About $60 for the two. A remarkable difference in the feel as I crank it. The intermittency of the issue makes it tough to say it's resolved. I'll try to remember to check back with an update.
OP
badmatty
New Member
This morning it did not start again.
Strange though. It cranked hard a fast for a few revolutions, I let off, and didn't go again.
Battery looks good...keep in mind, I have never had to put a charge on this TJ since I noticed the problem. It will just start some time soon.
Same thing as always: Key to Run - Everything lights up. Crank...nothing.
This may be part of it though - New Observation: (seems important)
Regardless of key position (including my pocket) . Regardless of my foot on brake (including standing next to the Jeep) I can take the shift lever (auto) into ANY position from any position.
*Edit to add*
It snowed out and it's unlikely that I can get underneath it soon as I also have a camping trip this weekend. Crap timing
Strange though. It cranked hard a fast for a few revolutions, I let off, and didn't go again.
Battery looks good...keep in mind, I have never had to put a charge on this TJ since I noticed the problem. It will just start some time soon.
Same thing as always: Key to Run - Everything lights up. Crank...nothing.
This may be part of it though - New Observation: (seems important)
Regardless of key position (including my pocket) . Regardless of my foot on brake (including standing next to the Jeep) I can take the shift lever (auto) into ANY position from any position.
*Edit to add*
It snowed out and it's unlikely that I can get underneath it soon as I also have a camping trip this weekend. Crap timing
badmatty
New Member
Could this have something to do with the temperature?
the only thing that I can think of that would fit in that is the battery. However, I’ve never had to charge the battery or mess with it at all to get it to start.
I ask because I was thinking, it almost always starts when I’m ready to take a look at it. When is that? When it’s a little nicer out. Possibly a coincidence.
the only thing that I can think of that would fit in that is the battery. However, I’ve never had to charge the battery or mess with it at all to get it to start.
I ask because I was thinking, it almost always starts when I’m ready to take a look at it. When is that? When it’s a little nicer out. Possibly a coincidence.