Jeep won't start, not even click

ObedaTJ

TJ Enthusiast
Original poster
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Joined
Nov 1, 2018
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Location
New York
Alright so I’m on the highway this morning and my RPM and MPH gushes drop a few times and then rise. I’m like what the hell? but nothing happened so I keep driving and pull into a Walgreens to grab something. Come back out and it won’t start. At first it would try to but after two or three tries, i’m getting nothing. Lights radio and gauges are good but the engine won’t crank or start.

Another significant thing that happened was on Friday I was driving it and the battery gauge rose all the way up to 19. I immediately pulled to the shoulder and went back down to normal. It hasn’t happened since.

Any ideas?
 
My first course of action would be to pull the terminals off and clean them with a wire brush.
If that doesn't work I would take the battery to "insert your local auto parts store here" and have the battery tested.
 
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My first course of action would be to pull the terminals off and clean them with a wire brush.
If that doesn't work I would take the battery to "insert your local auto parts store here" and have the battery tested.
Not a battery issue. Battery is new and the terminals were changed a month ago.
 
Not a battery issue. Battery is new and the terminals were changed a month ago.
Have you inspected/cleaned all the wires going to the battery/alternator/grounds?

If the alternator was the cause then it could have brought the battery down with it (assumption from it trying to start 3 times then nothing). You may want to have the battery/alternator tested. (if cleaning all the wires doesn't help)
 
Okay so I tapped on the starter. It started right up. I’m guessing it’s the starter. I am going to replace it
 
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Seems like if it's the starter it would have to involve a short or bad connection or something to affect you while driving. While you've got it running, I'd drive to your local AZ/PB/OR/Generic Auto Shop and have them test the batter and alternator. Just because the battery's new doesn't necessarily mean it's not the problem. Also inspect your cables and terminals closely, and maybe consider replacing. People tend to disregard the wires when things act up, but wires go bad too and will drive you nuts making it seem like everything else is failing (especially grounds).
 
Okay so it was the starter. I replaced it and it started just fine

However there is still a problem.
As I was driving on the highway to work, the speedometer and RPM gauge dropped to 0, the check guages and airbag light came on, about 10-15 secs and I kept driving and they went back to normal.
 
I'm no expert, but that sounds like a loose or frayed wire, or a bad ground. Did the Jeep continue to run fine during that 10-15 seconds? No loss of power or anything?
 
I'm no expert, but that sounds like a loose or frayed wire, or a bad ground. Did the Jeep continue to run fine during that 10-15 seconds? No loss of power or anything?
No loss of power or anything
 
Get a volt meter and measure at your battery to see if your alternator is charging properly when jeep is running. If your running on battery only and it’s not charging fast enough it’ll do some wonky things. With jeep on, cables should read 13.X volts coming to the battery. 12ish if off.