PDA

View Full Version : Starter Problem - Help!


FrankenJeep
03-26-2002, 04:19 AM
Howdy Gang.

I drove the 83 Cherokee to work today for the first time after a test run last night. Everything was fine until I went to lunch. I went to start it and *click*, then nothing (no fan, no clock, etc)

I can disconnect the battery and get the accessories back when I reconnect. However, when I try to start everthing cuts out. A friend took me up to the store for parts, and I'm going to start replacing cables. I also bought a starter solenoid and a fusible link. I figure I'll return whatever I don't use.

What sucks is that I got overconfident and left my manuals and major tools at home, so I'm flying a little blind. :mad:

My thoughts are:

I have a bad connection somewhere, bought wires to cover both pos (+) and neg (-) connections off the battery.

Could the fusible link be a problem? I thought that if that was blown, I wouldn't get anything, and it wouldn't reset after I disconnected/reconnected the battery. Where does the other end of the link go? I can see it attached to the solenoid.

A friend listened and the solenoid is pulling in. Could this be like GM starters that need a good *whack* every now and then. I wouldn't expect everything to quit if this were the problem.

Are there any circuit breakers that would be causing this? I don't have any diagrams to reference due to my own stupidity. :mad:

Any advise is appreciated.

Frank

Dan
03-26-2002, 04:49 AM
I'm no mechanic, so be forewarned...

I had *exactly* the same situation that you described about 6 months ago. I cleaned up the terminals on the battery and cables and I was able to jump-start it. Ended up being an alternator that wasn't charging the battery properly. I replaced the alternator and haven't had any problems.

The solenoids go out frequently. I don't think giving it a whack with a hammer is going to help you. They are just a cheap design. Seems to me that last time it went out on me, it gave a rapid clicking sound, but I don't remember for sure.

My best guess is the alternator or battery.

FrankenJeep
03-26-2002, 05:50 AM
Problem Solved! Bad Ground Wire off the battery. If that wasn't enough, the Neutral Safety Switch acted up after that. That'll teach me to leave home without the proper documentation! :rolleyes:

Thanks for the reply, and to anyone who would've assed their $0.02 if I hadn't come across a solution. Happy FSJeepin'

Frank