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Baffled by Starter (HELP!!!)

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Baffled by Starter (HELP!!!)
CCKCJ785

CCKCJ785

Jeeper
Posts
27
Solutions
2
Thanks
3
Location
Efland, NC
Vehicle(s)
1985 CJ7, 4.2L 258
I am baffled and need direction. My Jeep has a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l with MSD ignition and kill switch. When I bought the Jeep all was fine and I figured out how not to kill the battery. Now I go to start the jeep and turn ignition switch and it clicks once then kills entire electrical system. If I disconnect the negative battery terminal and then reconnect it it will allow me to try again with same result. Battery tests fine so no issue there. Replaced the solenoid with same result. Cleaned grounds same result. Have not replaced the starter looks to be OEM with 103K on the Jeep. Open for suggestions. Thanks
 
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I might remove the kill switch and see how it goes, failing that new starter, checking main ground and possibly the ignition switch. I discovered that when I wired my solenoid exactly as the last one it never did a thing, total reverse of wiring and all'
is well.
 
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If you want to trouble shoot... Do have a test light (a bare minimum), multi meter or best yet a Power Probe? Are you versed in trouble shooting? There are many good guides out there (see link below). Do you have a wiring diagram?

Just arbitrarily changing parts gets expensive.

Since it resets after removing power it sounds like your kill system is triggering a latching relay that breaks a circuit.

Link to guides -->> https://www.google.com/search?q=12+...0l2j33i299.50784j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
 
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100% agree with what CJ said, it sounds like the kill switch could be the problem, and Easter egging for the problem is going to get expensive real quick.
 
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How old is this battery?
Try another battery.
Gary
 
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Good at trouble shooting not just a parts replacer. Electrical has never been my forte. Time to learn Battery is good.
Thanks for the advice and links. I'll let you know how it ends up.
 
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Just how did you test the battery?
Just testing voltage doesn't tell all.
Has to be load tested for amps.
 
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Took the battery to advance Auto. I cannot say they load tested it? Would that not be part of their normal testing procedure to hopefully sell me a new battery? Battery is less than 1 year old. I'll pull the battery from my boat and give it a shot as well.
 
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You can easily rule out the battery and the starter by “hot starting” your vehicle.
 
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Make sure it’s not in gear.
 
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You also need to be ready to immediately disconnect the negative battery post in case the starter gets stuck in start mode. Be careful doing this. Good luck.
 
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Have the starter load tested.
Also, move the battery GND from the block to the top mounting bolt of the starter motor.
 
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Patrick said:
You also need to be ready to immediately disconnect the negative battery post in case the starter gets stuck in start mode. Be careful doing this. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Explain procedure for hot start. I've seen jumping the solenoid I believe but have never done it. May be basic but step by step will be appreciated
 
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What does this mean?
"MSD ignition and kill switch. When I bought the Jeep all was fine and I figured out how not to kill the battery."
Did someone wire in a switch to prevent the battery from dying? If so sounds like the MSD, etc. was wired in wrong.
 
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BrockGrimes said:
What does this mean?
"MSD ignition and kill switch. When I bought the Jeep all was fine and I figured out how not to kill the battery."
Did someone wire in a switch to prevent the battery from dying? If so sounds like the MSD, etc. was wired in wrong.
Click to expand...
If I did not make sure kill switch was in off position and ignition key was not off it would kill the battery and I mean kill it. You could not jump it. Battery was less than 1 year old. Took it to Advance Auto and they charged it back up. Happened again after that. Battery tests good and holds a charge. That is one of my issues just not sure how everything is wired up. Everything in the Jeep works except the horn which is non existent. Lots of cut wires that lead to nowhere. As I stated earlier wiring has never been my strong suit. Time to learn. I have downloaded the MSD install guide for this ignition but yet to tackle it.
 
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CCKCJ785 said:
If I did not make sure kill switch was in off position and ignition key was not off it would kill the battery and I mean kill it. You could not jump it. Battery was less than 1 year old. Took it to Advance Auto and they charged it back up. Happened again after that. Battery tests good and holds a charge. That is one of my issues just not sure how everything is wired up. Everything in the Jeep works except the horn which is non existent. Lots of cut wires that lead to nowhere. As I stated earlier wiring has never been my strong suit. Time to learn. I have downloaded the MSD install guide for this ignition but yet to tackle it.
Click to expand...

What your describing is something draining your battery, that's probably why the PO installed the "kill switch"

Any chance you could post some pics of what your looking at? I think I understand the "kill switch", is it a battery disconnect switch?

Like this?
fla-fr1048_xl.webp


Do you have a Hanes or Chilton's manual? In the back of those there were fold out wiring diagrams.

Another tool that will help you is cheap and you can pick one up at any box parts store is an automotive circuit tester. It looks like a screwdriver with a light in it.

61Q5VCQ6IIL._SL1500_.webp


Attach the clip to the tub or known ground and start touching places with the tip. The battery cutoff switch will need to be on, leave the key out of the ignition. This should help you figure out the wires that have voltage and draining your battery.

OH, do you have a radio??? That could be a culprit of killing your battery too if it's wired incorretly.
 
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CCKCJ785 said:
I go to start the jeep and turn ignition switch and it clicks once then kills entire electrical system. If I disconnect the negative battery terminal and then reconnect it it will allow me to try again with same result.
Click to expand...

Ok, reread your initial post.

What you're describing sounds like you're grounding the ignition system out. Removing the negative terminal from the battery is resetting the MSD box and allowing you to try it again. The click is the something grounding itself and the MSD box then going in to a protection mode. The MSD box is not allowing voltage to flow through the system.

If you've tested the battery and replaced the solenoid, the next step, in my opinion is the starter. Pull it, take to the box parts store and have them test it. It very well could be shorted internally.
 
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The starter could in fact be bad, but pulling it and having it tested is free. That wiring is still sketchy though, you shouldn't need a battery disconnect.

A universal harness from several mfg are fairly cheap and rewiring a jeep is easy easy, especially with the wires being labeled, american auto wire, ron francis, painless, omix, etc. etc. You don't need a model specific harness as a universal has enough length, just make sure it has all the systems you have in the jeep. Also get good quality wire strippers and crimpers, don't cheap out.
 
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BrockGrimes said:
The starter could in fact be bad, but pulling it and having it tested is free. That wiring is still sketchy though, you shouldn't need a battery disconnect.

A universal harness from several mfg are fairly cheap and rewiring a jeep is easy easy, especially with the wires being labeled, american auto wire, ron francis, painless, omix, etc. etc. You don't need a model specific harness as a universal has enough length, just make sure it has all the systems you have in the jeep. Also get good quality wire strippers and crimpers, don't cheap out.
Click to expand...
Solenoid is new and replaced the starter just because. At 103K and original starter had nothing to loose. Used my jump box and everything fired up. Think the battery can't handle the load going to have Advance load test it. I have decided to replace entire harness in the future. planning on pulling the body to media blast and repaint. Will replace with all new wiring at that point. Got it running and appreciate everyone offering me valuable advice. Thanks!!! still hate the electrical aspect Grrrrr
 
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