Starting Issue: ECM, Starter, or Fuel Pump? (1997 4.0)

[Hank891]

Would you suspect ECM, Starter, or Fuel Pump for the following symptoms:

1. Have to cycle the key several times to get the starter to engage. Has gotten progressively worse lately. When you turn the key over, there is no click or nothing. After multiple times the starter will engage and it starts right up.
2. When I turn the key to the first notch...all of the gauges are lighting up like it's ready to start.
3. Battery is less than a year old. Cleaned all the cables/connections and made sure everything was tight.
4. The ECM is one I found on Ebay and replaced about 2 years ago. Symptoms seem similar to what happened previously with the original ECM.
5. Starter is Original.
6. Fuel pump is Original.
7. 1997 4.0 Sport Manual.

I have to say how impressed I am with the reliability of this 1997 vehicle. How many 27 year old vehicles have the original starter and fuel pump! This has been one of the most reliable vehicles I have ever owned. I also had a 2004 Jeep TJ 4.0....In my opinion the 1997 is a much more reliable vehicle than the 2004.
Thanks,
Hank.

 

[cmoore]

Can you jump the starter directly? If so, I wonder if you've bent/broken the fork on your

Ignition Switch Actuator Pin. When that goes, the key turns on but you can't kick the ig switch to start position. There will be no codes.​

 

[macleanflood]

Smack the starter while someone holds the key in the cranking position. Guessing you have a bad solenoid on the starter.

You can replace just that part or the whole thing.

-Mac

 

[Hank891]

Smack the starter while someone holds the key in the cranking position. Guessing you have a bad solenoid on the starter.

You can replace just that part or the whole thing.

-Mac

Awesome...will give that a try...thank you!

 

[Hank891]

Tried hitting the starter w/hammer while turning ignition and no luck....I'm guessing its the ECM again....very similar symptoms when I replaced my ECM previously....previous ECM had some burned transitors on the board....will need to find someone who can fix the board

 

[macleanflood]

Wranglerfix.com @Wranglerfix

 

[Hank891]

Will check them out...Thanks!