Sinking Creek 4WD Association

Yesterday, I could not start my 2004 Jeep Wrangler. However, I replaced the starter, but it is still not starting. It started just fine yesterday, but at one point I shut the vehicle off, and when I tried to turn it back on, nothing.

I have already tested/checked the battery, the starter relay, fuses, and obviously, the starter itself. I have even used the Clutch Interlock Bypass, but still nothing.

One thing I will mention is that while driving the vehicle, at one point me and my passenger both heard a sort of "buzzing" noise coming from the passenger side underneath the glove box. Now when I turn the key to "Start," I hear a "click" coming from what seems to be the same direction as the buzzing noise mentioned earlier. Is there some sort of switch/relay in this area that could be causing issues?

So no power to the starter like a dead battery or the engine turns over but will not fire?

If the former, you need to isolate if it is a power side issue or an ignition side issue. Do you have voltage at the starter? Can you jump the leads on the bendix solenoid and start the engine? Can you jump the fender starter relay and start the engine etc.

I have not tested to see if the starter is getting voltage since I am working alone. I don't think it is though because I got a new starter and still nothing. I definitely have power to the relay, BUT I just tested the terminal that is supposed to be hot when you depress the clutch pedal and turn the key to "start" and I got no voltage.

This could mean there is something wrong the the ignition switch or the clutch pedal position switch. I am going to do some more tests to see what I can find out. It is behaving like it would if you tried to start the vehicle without depressing the clutch, so I am kinda leaning towards the clutch position switch. Also, considering the clicking noise is coming from near the fuse panel, which contains a fuse slot for the Clutch Interlock Bypass, I am thinking maybe the switch is near there too.

I am going to look into it some more. One thing I realized is that when I first tried the Clutch Interlock Bypass, I used a 10A fuse, but it is supposed to be 20A. However, the fuse did not blow, which could mean that the bypass was not working, which could be caused by the position switch I am thinking. If I can find the switch, I will try to jump the terminals and see if I can start it.

Well it's not the clutch position switch...

You have power to everything else? i.e. radio lights etc? Have you tried jumping the starter with a jumper wire or a screwdriver? (please make sure its in neutral before doing this)

No I haven't, but I don't think the starter is getting power anyway because the new starter did not work either. Today I am gunna take a look at the actuator pin and ignition switch.

If you haven't even eliminated the fender solenoid being bad stop messing with other shit.

You need to check if you have voltage to the starter. If you don't go upstream and check the fender solenoid. You just said it's not hot when the ignition switch is in the start position. Sounds like the solenoid is bad. Just try to start it with a screwdriver like Will and I said and you will know.

I might be confused, but you are talking about the starter solenoid that sends power to the starter motor right?

turnbull wrote:I might be confused, but you are talking about the starter solenoid that sends power to the starter motor right?

Yes, it is activated by a voltage signal from the ignition switch. You can eliminate the solenoid from the system (in order to help determine if it is bad) by providing current to the starter motor by jumping the leads with a screwdriver and closing the circuit.

BadAssEddie wrote:Yes, it is activated by a voltage signal from the ignition switch. You can eliminate the solenoid from the system (in order to help determine if it is bad) by providing current to the starter motor by jumping the leads with a screwdriver and closing the circuit.

The new starter came with a new solenoid (I'm not sure if that is normal or not). So would that eliminate the starter solenoid and starter motor as a possibility? I am trying to figure out as much as I can now, so when I get out of class I am not wasting my time.

turnbull wrote:

BadAssEddie wrote:Yes, it is activated by a voltage signal from the ignition switch. You can eliminate the solenoid from the system (in order to help determine if it is bad) by providing current to the starter motor by jumping the leads with a screwdriver and closing the circuit.

The new starter came with a new solenoid (I'm not sure if that is normal or not). So would that eliminate the starter solenoid and starter motor as a possibility? I am trying to figure out as much as I can now, so when I get out of class I am not wasting my time.

No the one on the fender, not the one on the starter.

Edit: I am assuming that TJ's have a traditional setup. If you are confused it might not. I'll have to look into it.

I was not aware of a solenoid on the fender. I know there is a relay. I'll have to take a look when I get home today.

turnbull wrote:I was not aware of a solenoid on the fender. I know there is a relay. I'll have to take a look when I get home today.

Whether it does or not, you can put the Jeep in N and do the same thing on the solenoid that is on top of the starter. You can also use a DMM to check voltage at the starter and work your way upstream.

You should have one large post on the solenoid attached to the starter that is always hot 12v+ whether your key switch or anything else is good. This is connected directly to the battery. If you jump from that post to the signal wire on the starter solenoid (the small wire) the starter should turn the engine over and start (if you have your key on-fuel pump, ASD, etc)

If this does not happen, then you have a problem with your battery cables, ground, starter, etc. That means you do not have any high amperage power available to the starter.

If the jeep starts fine when you jump the solenoid, it means you have a problem getting signal to the starter solenoid to engage (safety switch, ignition switch, starter relay, etc.)

This is the first place I always go to when having starter problems because is tells you which "side" of the starter your problem is on - high or low amperage.

willhf1011 wrote:You should have one large post on the solenoid attached to the starter that is always hot 12v+ whether your key switch or anything else is good. This is connected directly to the battery. If you jump from that post to the signal wire on the starter solenoid (the small wire) the starter should turn the engine over and start (if you have your key on-fuel pump, ASD, etc)

If this does not happen, then you have a problem with your battery cables, ground, starter, etc. That means you do not have any high amperage power available to the starter.

If the jeep starts fine when you jump the solenoid, it means you have a problem getting signal to the starter solenoid to engage (safety switch, ignition switch, starter relay, etc.)

This is the first place I always go to when having starter problems because is tells you which "side" of the starter your problem is on - high or low amperage.

Oh ok, I wasn't understanding you before. I thought you were trying to isolate the solenoid, but that was already accomplished by replacing it.

I ended up measuring the voltage where you said to, and it was fine, so I moved on to the ignition switch. It turns out the actuator pin was broken.