Stalled after starting on hill, now clicks but no crank

Gernsback

Gernsback

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Sep 21, 2020
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Pittsburgh
I came to a stop at a light on a hill. I stalled it after trying to get going again, and now my TJ just clicks but won't crank or start. I've stalled on a hill before and this wasn't an issue... what can I do?! I tried everything I can think of....
 
Check the battery terminals for oxidation, the connections to ensure they are tight and verify what the voltage is.
The voltage should be 12.5+ when the engine is off and at least 13.3+ when the engine is running, but preferably closer to 14.0.
 
is it not throwing it's CCA? have you tried to jump it?
i've had batteries that show voltage but won't throw enough juice to crank.
 
When you try to crank over the engine and the solenoid clicks; check to see what the voltage drops to.
IF the voltage drops below 12.0V when the solenoid clicks; the battery has a bad cell and needs to be replaced.
 
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Tried jumping it, no dice. Not throwing a code with the 3 clicks, and nothing shows up on my code reader. I just drove it an hour ago, started up just fine. Not sure what the hell could have happen after just a stall
 
if a jump didn't crank it, i'd be looking for a faulty connection. 1 might think sufficient juice is not getting to that solenoid. or is it possible the starter just got hung up 1x.
 
Gernsback said:
Tried jumping it, no dice. Not throwing a code with the 3 clicks, and nothing shows up on my code reader. I just drove it an hour ago, started up just fine. Not sure what the hell could have happen after just a stall
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Take a look at the positive lead going to the starter solenoid and verify that it's not oxidized or loose.
Get a rubber mallet and smack the side of the starter a few times and then try cranking the starter.
 
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ahhh the good ol days of having to smack a starter to get it going......................haven't had to do that in 20yrs. back in the day them bastards could get real hot and just click too................wouldn't do anything until it cooled down. my moms old Cordoba was like that.
 
I've let it sit since I posted,and I tried smacking the starter as well with a wrench (all I had). It's already on a tow truck to the shop down the road 😅
 
Guy at the shop suspects it's the starter, even though I did the "smack test." Could be right, but I'll know tomorrow.
 
cpwolf said:
My first car was a Cordoba, lots of seating, but Ugh.

If you stalled it at a light, let the clutch out slower, or give more gas, ha.

Kind of curious, would it not push start?
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it was an auto trans. that prick would leave us stranded all over the place waiting for it to cool down enough to work again.
and there were a few nights i didn't know if i could get it home b4 she woke up. but ya you could carry 6 easily.............in comfort too with that "fine Corinthian leather".
 
CharlesHS said:
I am guessing the Jeep has a AT; otherwise he should have been able to push start assuming there were no other problems.
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I hear you out the OP opening line was

“I came to a stop at a light on a hill. I stalled it after trying to get going again”

Sounded like a stick situation.
 
Update!

First, I do drive a manual. Haven't stalled on a hill in a long time, but it happens lol.

The report from my mechanic is that he tested everything from the battery and starter up to the ignition cylinder. He was able to jump from the starter and got the jeep to turn over, so everything checked out. He told me he suspects it's something in the ignition cylinder or the ignition actuator pin is broken. Something like that. Which after thinking about what I did sort of makes sense. As soon as I stalled I panic clutched in and turned the key hard (since I was second in line of traffic). Maybe I broke something in there by doing that? 🤷‍♂️

Either way, I'm still pretty new to TJ's and probably wouldn't have been able to diagnose that myself quickly.
 
Gernsback said:
Update!

First, I do drive a manual. Haven't stalled on a hill in a long time, but it happens lol.

The report from my mechanic is that he tested everything from the battery and starter up to the ignition cylinder. He was able to jump from the starter and got the jeep to turn over, so everything checked out. He told me he suspects it's something in the ignition cylinder or the ignition actuator pin is broken. Something like that. Which after thinking about what I did sort of makes sense. As soon as I stalled I panic clutched in and turned the key hard (since I was second in line of traffic). Maybe I broke something in there by doing that? 🤷‍♂️

Either way, I'm still pretty new to TJ's and probably wouldn't have been able to diagnose that myself quickly.
Click to expand...

Problems with the ignition switch and pin are known problems with the age of our TJs.
Hope the mechanic gets your problem resolved.
 
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