Electrical problem. Help please

[JanMast]

No worries bro. Those cables were old and beat up anyway. I also replaced the black cable that connects the solenoid to teh starter.

So today i did the following: Checked the red side of the solenoid and saw 12VDC there. Then i had the wife turn the ignition. I expected to see some voltage on the black side, connects to teh starter, but i saw nothing at all.

SO it seems to me that either the ignition switch or the solenoid is faulty. Is that logic correct? The solenoid looks pretty straight forward to replace. The ignition switch seems daunting because its in the steering column. Have any of you ever replaced either? Is there a way to isolate which one is faulty? Thanks for all the help, it feels like i am getting close to solving this problem!

 

[Torxhead]

You can by pass the starter relay by making a jumper wire from the blue wire or "S" terminal on the relay connection to the battery positive. This should cause the starter to turn over. If this causes the starter to turn over then the relay or starter switch is faulty, if you are not getting 12v to the blue wire on the relay when the starter switch is in the start position, then the starter switch is at fault.

 

[JanMast]

So i tried what you suggested. First i had the wife turn the ignition and i checked the voltage at the S connector on top of the solenoid. It read 10VDC. Im thinking that is probably a good reading.

Then i made a jumper and jumped from the S connector on top of the solenoid to the positive terminal of the battery. It sparked a little bit and i heard so clicking. I couldnt tell if that was from the solenoid or from the starter. But the engine definitely did not turn over.

So i am thinking that proves that the starter is bad. Do you agree? Thanks!

 

[Torxhead]

The clicking was probably the relay, from there the current goes to the starter. You should pull the starter and hook up some jumper cables to try and get it to spin, just to make sure, or send it to a local parts store or auto shop.

 

[JanMast]

Well smart me decides... screw it. They have a starter in stock. Ill just change it out. That didnt work.

I guess i will go ahead and change out the starter solenoid switch and ignition switch too. How difficult is it to change out the ignition switch? Will have to teap apart the steering column which doesnt seem like a lot of fun. firetruck.

 

[Torxhead]

Before changing out the starter switch why not check and see how your existing one is working. When the starter switch is in the on position it will send current to the red wire on the coil, the voltmeter, and the brake indicator on the instrument cluster plus backup light switch. When it is in the start position current goes to the blue wire or "S" terminal on the starter relay, the red wire at the coil, and the brake pressure warning switch. This is reading from my schematics for the '85-'86 CJ. An extra relay if your old one is good is nice to have. An extra starter is good to have also, but why not test the one you have?

 

[JanMast]

I would like to give thanks to everyone that chimed in on this thread. My Jeep is alive again, mostly due to the experience and advice that you all gave to me here.

I tested the starter solenoid and determined it was bad. So i changed it out and the Jeep fired up right away. It starts right away and runs strong like bull.

Thank you everyone!

 

[JanMast]

ANd..... then i take it for a drive and stop to put some gas in it. I feel something dripping on my foot. So i look at the under carriage to see that the filler hose and filler vent hose are cracked and leaking gas onto the deck. On to the next problem lol

 

[Torxhead]

Thanks for the update. I have some guys, including me who have used coolant hoses for gas fillers, doesn't last too long

 

[JanMast]

Appreciate the info on the cooling hoses. I bought some replacement filler hoses, they are on the way. Fortunately i dont have to drive the jeep everyday (3rd vehicle).