SPARKS FLEW EVERYWHERE, AND THEN. . . .

[Woodstock-Waggy]

It was a day much like any other. The sun was out, there was a nice breeze and I snuck out to the garage for a little wrench'n. I had installed the TFI up grade a couple of weeks ago and was just getting to changing the gaps in the spark plugs.

As I finished tightening the last plug, the socket sliped from my hand and. . . . shorted the ever living crap out of something. I thought that it was the circuit breaker on the inner fender next to the ignition mod, but that's been replaced and still no go.

Here are the symptoms:

Ran great before.
Much sparkage.
Juice to radio, lights etc,
starter does not even try to engage.

HELP!!!!!! Ineed my jeep back and Sitting Bull is getting tired of driving me to work!!!!

[ April 15, 2003, 10:29 AM: Message edited by: Woodstick Waggy ]

[talntar]

starter solinoid be my first check cheap and you have a spare for next time if that aint it.

[Woodstock-Waggy]

That was my thought for tonights episode. I happen to already have one on the shelf in my garage. . .If that's not it, is it possible that I shorted out teh Ignition mod?????

[talntar]

not sure about that, but i am sure others more knowing then i will help you out

[bvibert]

Is the starter not turning? If so then I don't think it would be the ignition module. It may be the solenoid, if that doesn't work then you'll need to use a voltage meter or test light to check for voltage at the solenoid.

[okidoc]

There is a small wire on the bottom of the solenoid if that slips off you get the symptoms you are talking about. If it is still connected check the wire for conductivity. Good luck

[Lindel]

Ok, first, what plug were you at when the wrench jumped out of your hand?

Second, have you looked that area over, very well? I mean the area that let the sparks out of your battery.

If everything else works, and the starter doesn't turn, then it's either a bad solenoid (aka starter relay), a bad starter, or bad wiring. My bet is on bad wiring, either at the alternator, or at the starter.

Since you have an 88, then you shouldn't have the Ford type starter relay, but the Mitsubishi starter with the integrated relay. Look around on the connections at the relay, you might need to pull the starter to see them all. If you were at/near the alternator, then the wire you want to check is the big wire. If that has burned in two, then you'll probably see the problem that you have.

Remember, the more details you give us, the easier it is to diagnose.

[Blackjack]

Yeah what side are we talking? The ignition module should be on the drivers side and the sarter solenoid on the passenger side?

[Woodstock-Waggy]

It was the drivers side plug closest to the fire wall. The sparks were from the circuit breaker / ignition mod area. I thought that I had shorted across the posts on the circuit breaker, but I may have shorted the circuit breaker to the ignition mod. I am not sure exactly what touched what as I was busy jumping out of the way;~)

I am changing the solinoid tonight as i have a spare and it was suspect any way, but I am trying to determine what the next step is when that does not work.. . .

[TaylorB]

Not that I'm trying to be a jerk, I swear I've done the same thing a million times...

Step 1, disconnect battery... ;)

Good luck bro', hope it's the cheap fix.

[J20 project]

I think I'd be looking for fusible links. Don't know where they might be on a newer wag though.
J20

[Chrome]

I looked on my 88 and the only thing I could come up with is a fusible link (maybe) or exposed wire of some sort. My guess would be the solenoid to.

[Woodstock-Waggy]

Ok guys,

I poked, prodded and probed. I put an indicater light on every connection I could find. I snugged up all connections and most of them I seperated, cleaned and re-connected with a healthy dose of dielectric grease.

I'm not sure what finally fixed it, but it runs like a champ. (new TFI + properly gaped plugs =great throtle response)

Thanks for your help

[billyrb]

Bill, I have done similar things many times.....and the one thing it has taught me is to disconnect the battery whenever I work on any part of the rig. Just makes things that much easier. Not to mention, after running a whole lot of volts through my body, I have decided that my brain produces enough sparks to keep me going, and I don't need the jeep to help!

[Wag Rookie]

Used to have two guys in my old shop we called arky and sparky need I say more.

[Joe Guilbeau]

When you extracted your extremity from the fire hazard area, you inadvertantly knocked a termination loose.

Now that you have fixed it, repeat after me...

Disconnect Negative-terminal from battery post before working on electrical thigies on Jeeps.

FJS's are mean spirited about this...it's their nature...