Starter turns but no engine crank

[Keith]

I am new to this forum so I'll keep it simple. Started my 2009 4dr Sahara yesterday and no problem. Tried to start a second time with only a single click. Today it started, no problem. Started it a second time and it sounded as though the starter was spinning; no crank. Tried again and starter kept spinning even with the key turned off. I suspect the starter is probably gone. Battery is reading at 12.56 with a Mar 2016 sticker date. Any suggestions or confirmations are welcome.

 

[Chris]

12.56 is good voltage. From what you describe, I'm almost certain it's the starter. Those are symptoms of a starter going out.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Cranking is not the same as starting. The starter motor cranks the engine until it starts. The starter stops cranking the engine when it starts and you release the key.

Is the starter cranking the engine without it starting or is the starter spinning by itself without it also cranking the engine?

 

[Chris]

@Keith, you there?

 

[Keith]

Thanks, Chris and Jerry for your responses. I really think its the starter. The starter spins when I try to crank the engine then it eventually stops. I'm mulling over trying to do the replacement job myself. Looks like a stubby ratchet would be useful for this job.

 

[Chris]

It's an easy job to do yourself, if you're mechanically inclined.

 

[Keith]

Thanks, Chris.

 

[Chris]

No problem!

 

[Keith]

I've never used jack stands before and I will be using some for the starter replacement. I assume using two decent quality 6 ton capacity jack stands be sufficient to the task. Am I correct?

 

[Stockli]

Can't you just climb under the jeep? No jackstands are needed here.

 

[Keith]

I don't have any after market lifts on my jeep so its pretty low. I won't be able to maneuver at all without jacking it up on the front end (tried that already). I wish it were high enough. I figure since I'll be learning to do some jobs DIY, a good set of jack stands in the garage would probably be a good investment, even for tire work like rotation.

 

[NCJeeper]

2009 TJ Sahara?

 

[Chris]

I don't have any after market lifts on my jeep so its pretty low. I won't be able to maneuver at all without jacking it up on the front end (tried that already). I wish it were high enough. I figure since I'll be learning to do some jobs DIY, a good set of jack stands in the garage would probably be a good investment, even for tire work like rotation.

Jack stands are always helpful to have, definitely!

 

[Keith]

Thanks to all for your help and advice. It was the starter. I had it replaced by a small shop with which I am familiar. Total cost of labor and parts was $167.00. The "Breeze", as I've named it, is back on the road. As an aside, we picked up the JK mainly because of the popularity as a very good dinghy for our MH. But, I must confess she handles beautifully and I find myself driving her more than my 4runner. Could be just the newness of it all.

 

[Chris]

Glad you got it all figured it out. I figured it was the starter!