Jeep randomly won't start, starter issue?

J

Justin S.

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Aug 15, 2018
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Kansas City
I tried to search around for this but couldn't find anyone with the exact same issue as mine. Last year at some point I was out driving around with the family and after going in a store I came back out and couldn't get the jeep started. It sounded like I would just get one click from the starter every time I turned the key. Someone stopped and helped my try and jump it. After sitting there for 10 minutes I still couldn't get the car started, it seemed like I was just getting the exact same results, one click from the starter. then all the sudden it fired right up. Haven't had the problem for probably 300-400 miles. I did take it to get tested at Auto Zone thinking I would need a new battery. The test for the alternator and the battery came back fine. Well this weekend it happened again sitting in the garage. Tried to turn it over and just one click from what sounds like the starter. I hooked up my trickle charger and charged it over the weekend. Last night I went to start it, first time the same thing, one click from the starter. Second time it started up. So I took everything off and closed up the hood. Backed it out of the garage and turned it off. When I went to start it again it started fine, but it sounded like a strange double click at the beginning from the starter. Not the way it usually sounds. After driving around for awhile I got home, turned it off and started again. Started just fine but same double click sound. Wife even commented that it sounded strange.

May be a side issue, but a few weeks ago I turned off the jeep and removed the key and everything stayed on, lights and stereo. I had to insert the key, turn it to the first position, then remove it again to get everything turned off. Might be a separate issue and I'm wondering if I need a new ignition module or whatever thats called.

Anyway, with the first issue does that sound like I could benefit from a new starter?
 
Justin S. said:
I tried to search around for this but couldn't find anyone with the exact same issue as mine. Last year at some point I was out driving around with the family and after going in a store I came back out and couldn't get the jeep started. It sounded like I would just get one click from the starter every time I turned the key. Someone stopped and helped my try and jump it. After sitting there for 10 minutes I still couldn't get the car started, it seemed like I was just getting the exact same results, one click from the starter. then all the sudden it fired right up. Haven't had the problem for probably 300-400 miles. I did take it to get tested at Auto Zone thinking I would need a new battery. The test for the alternator and the battery came back fine. Well this weekend it happened again sitting in the garage. Tried to turn it over and just one click from what sounds like the starter. I hooked up my trickle charger and charged it over the weekend. Last night I went to start it, first time the same thing, one click from the starter. Second time it started up. So I took everything off and closed up the hood. Backed it out of the garage and turned it off. When I went to start it again it started fine, but it sounded like a strange double click at the beginning from the starter. Not the way it usually sounds. After driving around for awhile I got home, turned it off and started again. Started just fine but same double click sound. Wife even commented that it sounded strange.

May be a side issue, but a few weeks ago I turned off the jeep and removed the key and everything stayed on, lights and stereo. I had to insert the key, turn it to the first position, then remove it again to get everything turned off. Might be a separate issue and I'm wondering if I need a new ignition module or whatever thats called.

Anyway, with the first issue does that sound like I could benefit from a new starter?
Click to expand...
Could be your ignition switch, or your park switch, or your starter solenoid. Need to do some testing to find out which.
 
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AMS417 said:
Could be your ignition switch, or your park switch, or your starter solenoid. Need to do some testing to find out which.
Click to expand...
IF the problem were the neutral safety switch the starter will not even provide a CLICK.
YES.... most Auto Parts stores have a Jig they can put the starter into so they can verify the starter will engage and crank over....
 
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Justin S. said:
I didn't realize auto parts stores could test the starter, I'll go that route first. It's a manual so it shouldn't have a park switch correct? I have wondered about the ignition switch.
Click to expand...
Correct, it will have a switch on the clutch instead.
 
Start by getting under the Jeep and checking the wire connections at the starter.
Then, if there are no problems with the connections(loose/corroded), you can start dismantling your Jeep.
 
Remove (!!!) both battery connectors. Then use a wire battery brush to get the battery posts and inside of the connectors bright and shiny clean. Reconnect them and tighten the nut tightly enough so the connectors cannot be moved around on the battery post with even significant hand pressure.

Even if a battery post and connector looks ok it can still not have a good-enough connection to the battery post. It can be dirty/loose/corroded which is not always discernable by just looking at it.

No guarantees but your issue is commonly caused by a bad battery connection.

This is a good type of wire battery brush, it has male and female pieces to clean both the posts and connectors.

battery brush.jpg
 
Justin S. said:
I didn't realize auto parts stores could test the starter, I'll go that route first. It's a manual so it shouldn't have a park switch correct? I have wondered about the ignition switch.
Click to expand...
Per what others have said, check and clean your battery connections, check and clean your starter connections, then, if that doesn't work, remove the starter and have it tested.
 
Thanks for all the feedback. Jerry I have those exact cleaners so I will get after that first. Then check the other connections to the starter after that.
 
So just to follow up a little on this issue. I cleaned the contacts on the battery, checked all the cables to the starter, everything was good. I have only had this problem occur two more times since then and each time I pulled the key out of the ignition, then went at it again and it started right up. I have been experiencing some other issues that upon searching I've found a few folks mentioning the ignition switch as a possible issue.

Issue #1 - I've seen this before but I've been paying more attention now. The airbag light will sometimes stay on after starting. Sometimes it will go off during the drive at a random point, sometimes it will stay on for the entire drive, sometimes it will shut off shortly after startup like normal.

Issue #2 - My radio does a really weird thing occasionally, it will basically restart as if the power or ground was temporarily disconnected. It's a really weird restart too. The screen will switch to the JVC logo like it's starting up, but the music will still be playing, then as the screen transitions to it's "home screen" the music will cut out for a split second. I've double checked the ground and all the wires, everything seems to be good. Next step is to cut out everything and rewire from scratch. I did solder all the connections on this and then wrap with heat shrink tubing. Also this happened a lot when I first got the radio, and since it was under warranty I sent it in and got a new one. This one has the same issue, so it's got to be the jeep.

Issue #3 - I have a backup camera installed on the license plate. It's connected to the power for the backup lights so those turn on, and a secondary wire tells the stereo I'm backing up so it automatically switches to the camera. Occasionally I'll start the car up, put it in reverse and nothing. The stereo will be on and playing music, but it doesn't switch. I'll press the "camera" button and it says "no signal". Once or twice it has started working again in the same drive.

Issue #4 - This has only happened one time, and I mentioned it above, but once I turned the jeep off in my garage and the stereo just kept playing. I had to put the key back in the ignition, turn it to first position, then back and out to get it to shut off.

Curious what you all think, do I have something really wonky going on with the wiring in this jeep? Could it be an ignition switch issue? My thought is the ignition switch is a fairly cheap and easy fix so I should start there but thought I would just check the collective knowledge of this group in case you all have experienced something similar. Thanks!
 
That problem sounds like either the ignition switch or the transfer bar between the key tumbler mechanism and the ignition switch.
The ignition switch has Run and Start contacts inside which power up numerous circuits in the Jeep.
The forum has a TJ Resources section that has PDFs of the FSM for your year TJ where you can search thru section 8W-13 for the ignition switch wiring harness.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...ice-manuals-fsm-technical-documentation.4618/
IMG_9848.jpg
 
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Pretty sure your ignition switch is going as mentioned above. I’d start there and report back.
 
I replaced the switch and the actuator pin, just figured why not while I'm in there. It's too soon to tell as I've only driven it a handful of times but the key cylinder definitely feels more snug in there and have had zero of the previous problems so far. Appreciate everyones advice.
 
Justin S. said:
I replaced the switch and the actuator pin, just figured why not while I'm in there. It's too soon to tell as I've only driven it a handful of times but the key cylinder definitely feels more snug in there and have had zero of the previous problems so far. Appreciate everyones advice.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the update...
 
I just had a very similar issue. Mine was a bad relay. I watch this video to walk me through the diagnosis.

 
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