Starter Problem

[gnich]

I have a 78 CJ5 and I am having problems with it starting. Sometimes when I turn the key, the starter makes a whining sound and then clicks. If I do it a couple of times it will start. It seems to me like the starter is not engaging. Before I replace the starter should I check anything else?

Thanks in advance for your advise.

 

[Darren9975]

May be your flywheel

 

[cerrajero]

That happened to mine just last week
first i check all the connections on the solenoid
then crawled underneath to check starter
when i check the connection on the starter i noticed it was loose and dirty
cleaned it up with a wire brush and tightened and it started right up

when you say sometimes that leads me to start looking for loose connections

but metering the solenoid might be a good idea as well

 

[jeffgtoman]

Mine did that a couple of weeks ago. The bolts that hold the starter on were loose and backed out enough that the starter was not matching up with the flywheel. All I had to do was tighten the bolts.

 

[1986cj7]

If all your connections are good, have your battery checked a low battery can cause this. This happened to me once and had the battery and alt checked at auto zone and the battery was going bad. Put in a new battery and all was good.

 

[gnich]

The problem was getting progressively worse so I replaced the starter today. It seems to have fixed the problem. The teeth on the starter were worn off and it was not engaging. Thanks!

 

[Darren9975]

The problem was getting progressively worse so I replaced the starter today. It seems to have fixed the problem. The teeth on the starter were worn off and it was not engaging. Thanks!

Did you check for damage on your flywheel?

 

[gnich]

I looked at it when replaced the starter and it appeared to be fine. I could only see a small part of it so I guess time will tell.