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Won't Start

Won't Start
S

SwimCoachAndy

Jeeper
Posts
18
Thanks
0
Location
Omaha, NE
Vehicle(s)
1985 CJ7
Automatic transmission
258 I6
My Jeep hasn't started for the past few days. It won't even attempt to turn over. There was a single click and that is all that happens. The starter and solenoid are in good shape. They were replaced several months ago. I charged the battery and that did nothing. Thinking the ignition switch might be worn out I replaced that, but it did not change anything.

Ideas???

Thank you.
 
Getting a click from the relay usually means a low battery not having enough juice to send to the starter to turn it over, so you might have a weak battery connection if the battery is good. When you turn the ignition switch to the start position it sends 12v through the blue wire at the "S" terminal on the starter relay. You could test the ignition switch by using a jumper wire from the battery positive to that "S" terminal to turn the starter over. You also can test the relay by jumping the battery terminal on the relay across to the terminal that goes to the starter. I like to use one of those hand held push button thingys purchased at an auto parts store for testing relays and starters. If you have a bad starter, nothing is going to happen.
 
Last edited:
Along with everything mentioned by Torxhead, clean your battery cable ends and their attachment locations. This may be a condition of not enough ground or power contact to activate anything enough to turn it over.
Cables could also be corroded inside the insulating covering preventing juice flow.
Clean ground connection surfaces: Solenoid grounds to the fender, cable ground to block, battery posts, etc...
 
Just a clicking sound. That means you aren't getting enough power to the starter. At first I would say a bad battery. You say it's fully charged. That sill doesn't mean under load it can start your engine. But first lets check the connections. Remove both battery cables. Clean the battery posts and cable ends with one of these:
image_14907.webp
otc-4612-400.webp
Also clean and re-tighten the cable on the starter. That end doesn't cause your problem as often as the battery end.
Take a look at the cable connections on the relay on your fender. If you have a bad connection that is the least likely cause but still worth checking out.
Ok, now if you are sure you have good connections remove your battery an take it to a auto parts store. They can test it under load. Even though it is charged it still may not be able to turn your engine over.
 
Try a different battery.
LG
 
Please dont tear apart the ignition system. Heres how I diagnose some thing that wont start
1) turn on your headlights and have some one try to turn the jeep over while you watch em. If they go out or dim really bad you have a dead batery Replace it. If they stay the same brightness you have a problem in your starting circuit Move on to 2

2) Use a short piece of wire to jump the solenoid. If you dont know how to do that google it. IF the relay clicks but no crank, it is good. Move on to 3

3) Hook a jumper cable end to the big terminal on the starter. make sure it is only toughing the terminal. Touch the other end to positive on the battery positive and see if it will crank. If it cranks with just the positive hooked upo your positive battery cable is bad.

4) If it does not crank hook up the negative side from the battery to the block. If its cranks you have a bad ground wire. replace it

Honestly if you havent changed the battery cables in a few years it might be time for a new set either way. Alot of cable will break and have bad connections on the inside of the jacket even though the ends look ok.
 
If you have a running vehicle, try jump starting it. If it starts, you have verified that the connection is good, but the battery isn't putting out enough voltage under load.
 
UPDATE - Still won't start!

I finally had time to mess with it this past weekend. I bought a new battery and that did nothing. I have replaced the starter solenoid, ignition switch, and battery. The starter was replaced 2 months before it died. It will turn over if I take jumper cables from the battery to the starter directly.

So the problem lies somewhere between the key and the starter. At this point nothing is getting power. The lights will not turn on and the gauges won't move. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
 
SwimCoachAndy said:
UPDATE - Still won't start!

I finally had time to mess with it this past weekend. I bought a new battery and that did nothing. I have replaced the starter solenoid, ignition switch, and battery. The starter was replaced 2 months before it died. It will turn over if I take jumper cables from the battery to the starter directly.

So the problem lies somewhere between the key and the starter. At this point nothing is getting power. The lights will not turn on and the gauges won't move. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Referring back to Jimbos suggestions: Use the jumper cable and connect one end to the battery positive and the other end to the solenoid B+ connection (basically bypassing the positive battery cable). Give the key a turn. If you crank, replace the positive battery cable.

If nothing is powering on, doesn't all power originate from that positive cable (unless you have added wiring at the battery post)?
 
Torxhead said:
So my next guess would be the neutral safety switch, since an auto tranny is indicated.
Click to expand...
Thats not the problem because he said nothing is getting power. If it was a neutral safety switch the headlights would still work.
 
Make double sure you are in 'Park'.
The neutral safety switch(NSS)has been a known issue.
Is the auto, OEM ?
NOW-since you have 'no-juice'. I would start ck'n your battery connections to be sure they are solid and clean.
Also-ck your fuse panel--
LG
 
This is one of "them" you wish you could get your eyes and hands on. :o

Come on! It don't hurt. Give it a shot: VOTE!:D
 
Sounds like you need to just start tracing from the pos on the batt untill you lose the power.
 
Lots of great suggestions already made! But if you've tried jumping the battery (+) directly to the starter cable and got nothing, I would think the starter is the issue. One more suggestion though, If your engine is really greasy and oily, that gunk can prevent the starter from grounding into the bellhousing. If you suspect this, pull the starter and clean mounting surfaces, or at least hose the area down with a can of brake clean.
 
To add to Bent-'Chase' the battery gnd to the engine.
I relocated mine to a starter mount bolt.
OP-PLEASE, can you post pictures of the starter, battery area?
LG
 
I always post these links when someone says they're Jeep wont start. Might give you some context when people say "trace" this or "do that"...and it has those nice photo things for people like me who need a visual! ...I know Dave is already in the mix, but sometimes having something to read through can help.

Good luck with it.

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f99/engine-wont-start-troubleshooting-guide-19494/

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f99/engine-wont-start-troubleshooting-guide-19494/#post158735
 
Thanks for all the help. I will run down the list of ideas and post the outcomes once I try them. Thank you again.
 
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