Will Not Start

[Aaron]

Hello all,

I was doing some suspension work to my jeep today (removed a few leafs from springs and new shocks) and when I was all finished up I wanted to take her for a spin and see how the changes I made worked out. It started right up and I drove forward a few feet and realized I was still in 4 low. So I turned her off ( I don't have a parking brake yet) and got out to unlock the hubs and put it in 2. Then it didn't want to start.

Solenoid just clicks.

I checked the battery with a meeter and it was good, I even pulled the one from my truck and it just clicked.

I jumped the solenoid from the battery to the s terminal and it started clicking. I then jumped the battery directly to the starter and nothing happened. I figured its the starter so I went and bought a new starter and new solenoid. I installed these and it still just clicks.

I have all new wiring as of last winter but I checked all of the connections and grounds anyway. It was starting fine for as long as I have owned it.

I must be missing something obvious but I am stumped. Everything about the starting system is brand new except the switch. I am not sure if this could be the problem or not.

Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks,
Aaron

 

[Torxhead]

I am thinking you are not sending full power to the starter from the battery. Like there is a weak connection somewhere.

 

[Aaron]

Thanks for the advise but I did check all connections and grounds and they all looked excellent. The p.o. installed a Painless wiring harness so everything looks brand new. I even took a wire brush to all the ground contact points just to be safe.

 

[ThisGuyUKnow]

Hmm that is odd. You are sure all the positive cables are hooked tight and have good connection?

 

[mtnwhlr]

Have you tried turning the motor over by hand or even push starting it? All most sounds like something is locked up.

 

[gr8dain]

Have you tried turning the motor over by hand or even push starting it? All most sounds like something is locked up.

Agreed. It does sound like the starter is hung up. Try to roll start it or use the hammer to the starter trick.


Dain

 

[Aaron]

Good call on something being locked up. I didn't think of that.

I just checked if the motor is locked up and with it in third gear I can push it and watch the belts move. But after the solenoid still just clicks. It is hard to push as I didn't remove the plugs. I will try hitting the starter when I have someone here to crank on it for me. Until then I will recheck all of the connections.

Thanks,
Aaron

 

[mtnwhlr]

Take some jumper cables and try going from the batt right to the starter just be sure you have it in neutral.

 

[gr8dain]

Take some jumper cables and try going from the batt right to the starter just be sure you have it in neutral.

I was getting scared at first while reading until you said to have it in neutral. Whew. I thought I would read about someone running over them self.


Dain

 

[Aaron]

I was getting scared at first while reading until you said to have it in neutral. Whew. I thought I would read about someone running over them self.


Dain

I already did this. I discussed it in the first post. It didn't do anything then and doesn't do anything now. Does this mean I purchased a bad starter or is there something wrong with how it is mounted?

I am no master mechanic but it is two bolts and a wire. I don't see any variables in how to mount it. It didn't come with shims and the old one didn't have any. They measured the same when comparing the two.

I guess this means I should pull the starter off and bench test it. I will let you all know if it is faulty.

Thanks,
Aaron

 

[gr8dain]

With my old GTO, it is very easy to mount it and have the teeth not align. Not sure if that is the case with a CJ. I have not had to replace mine yet.


Dain

 

[mtnwhlr]

I already did this. I discussed it in the first post. It didn't do anything then and doesn't do anything now. Does this mean I purchased a bad starter or is there something wrong with how it is mounted?

I am no master mechanic but it is two bolts and a wire. I don't see any variables in how to mount it. It didn't come with shims and the old one didn't have any. They measured the same when comparing the two.

I guess this means I should pull the starter off and bench test it. I will let you all know if it is faulty.

Thanks,
Aaron

If you hit it with jumper cables and it didn't turn over you have a bad starter.

 

[Aaron]

So I had my starter bench tested at a local parts store and they said it was bad and gave me a new one. I went home, bolted it up, and she started like a champ. I had my meter out so I started checking a few things and noticed that I was only getting 11.8 volts at the battery so I checked the alternator and got the same. I noticed that there was a two pronged electrical connector just dangling by the alternator waiting to be plugged into something so I went ahead and plugged them into the alternator. Instantly she started idling better and I was getting 14.2 volts. I thought I was in business so I took her for a spin and when I got back I went to turn her off and she kept running . Not dieseling but running. I had to remove the two wires that I plugged into the alternator to kill the engine.

This thread just went from "It won't start" to It won't stop"

From what I have read I can put a diode on the alternator exciter wire to fix this. Has anyone ever seen this problem before? If so how did you fix it? I know that the delco remmy alternator that I have can be wired up to have the three wires that I was using or just a single wire. How could I tell what way mine is supposed to be?

Everyone has been great help so far and as always any help is appreciated.

thanks,
Aaron

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Unplug that plug you just plugged in. It's feed'n the coil. You need to install a diode to stop the reverse ele. feed.
How old is the battery?
That 11.8 VDC read'n could be the battery--
You may have the wrong alt installed.
LG