Starter problems part two (Did my ignition switch go bad?)
- Thread starter Joseph
- Start date
Well, I forgot Geico offers one free tow per breakdown as part of my coverage, so instead of messing with it more myself at home then having to pay a tow to the mechanic, I just had it dropped off at the mechanic instead. The one guy that works there is cool with me so maybe I can just get a diagnosis and take it from there.
In the mean time, I got a sweet 2 door cherokee 4 banger 5 speed 2wd sitting in the driveway waiting for me.
If the starter is spinning but not engaging it looks like the solenoid OR perhaps the starter is not allowed to lock into the ring gear on the flywheel. Look at the starter nose closely. Some damage is ok, too much might not engage. Bench test the starter. Is the gear comming out strong? Or not at all? Could the starter been installed a bit crooked? Or if you try to move the Jeep by starter power then you can jam the starter to ring gear and now wont work without remove and reinstall. Is the starter in the picture the starter we are talking about? That looks soaked in oil and debris. 1 too many water crossings can get dirt and oil and water all gummed up in the windings. With out a proper bench test there is no way to know for sure.
The starter wont engage if the two big terminals are shorted, it will just spin as described. That's how it's supposed to work.
Edit: just go out and do it on yours, that's what you will find along with a few big sparks
If your starter does not engage the ring gear on the flywheel then it is NOT a starter. The solenoid makes the starter gear move into engagement whith the ring gear. Go out and try yours.
I did try mine. I'm just trying to help. You might consider trying yours. This isn't a Bendix drive starter.
Shorting the big terminals does not put power to the solenoid, it gets power from the small terminal.
Really, the solenoid is not getting power if you bridge the big terminals.
Pagrey... you are right. I am wrong on this one. I was going on experiences with my CJ's. Apologies if I caused OP any problems. 
John Scoggins
TJ Enthusiast
OP, do you have power to the small wire (in the red circle) in Pagray's picture when the key is turned to "START"? If you do not then you have a problem between the ignition switch and starter. I would start with the Starter RELAY in the Power distribution Box....
That is not the same starter you had, and it looks like it was pulled from a swamp. What year is your jeep again? I would have to go look at the wiring diagram to see if there is a relay...I would be more inclined to a neutral safety/clutch switch. If it is a standard, there is a switch on the clutch pedal under the dash, bypass it with a jumper wire, if its has an auto, there is a switch by where the linkage goes into the transmission, it is typically 3 wires, you just bypass 2 of the 3. I would have to look at the wiring to know what ones. Tim
Hi All.
Messing with my starter now and led me to here. I was just looking for opinions on the carquest brand as I was going to go pick one up. I just wanted to say, is it me, or is the power cable from the solenoid to the starter motor not connected in the OP pictures?
As for my issue. Started, drove for 2 hours in the rain, stopped for beer, wouldn't start. Had to bump start it all weekend. Ran a line straight from battery to solenoid today and it turned briefly then quit. After that, nothing but sparks when connecting to battery. I didn't try hotwiring with a screwdriver. Done it before, but convinced it's the starter, or at least the solenoid. Hoping my replacement works and it isn't an ignition switch issue (I just replaced that a couple years ago). But I do seem to be getting some mice living in my jeep. Just wish they'd pay some rent or put down a security deposit for damages.
GL...oh snap, I just realized this thread is from 2019, not 2020. Oops!
Messing with my starter now and led me to here. I was just looking for opinions on the carquest brand as I was going to go pick one up. I just wanted to say, is it me, or is the power cable from the solenoid to the starter motor not connected in the OP pictures?
As for my issue. Started, drove for 2 hours in the rain, stopped for beer, wouldn't start. Had to bump start it all weekend. Ran a line straight from battery to solenoid today and it turned briefly then quit. After that, nothing but sparks when connecting to battery. I didn't try hotwiring with a screwdriver. Done it before, but convinced it's the starter, or at least the solenoid. Hoping my replacement works and it isn't an ignition switch issue (I just replaced that a couple years ago). But I do seem to be getting some mice living in my jeep. Just wish they'd pay some rent or put down a security deposit for damages.
GL...oh snap, I just realized this thread is from 2019, not 2020. Oops!
Fitzpatrick
TJ Enthusiast
Possibly a problem with the remote start wiring if you hear it try to turn over using that but not when you try to start it with the key
Don't make the same mistake I did. Sorry, I revived a year old thread. The conversation seems to have died without an update to what happened.
I saw the date of May 27th and assumed that was just a couple days ago only to then realize this was last year....
Fitzpatrick
TJ Enthusiast
I thought the same thingSimilar threads
