Suedehead

I'm currently scratching my head about my Jeep. I'm not the most savvy when it comes to mechanics, but i've replaced my own Starter, Alternator, Taillights & Battery before, lol.
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• I've replaced my Alternator and Starter about 3-4 years ago.
• Battery was charged and tested at O'Reilly this morning and came back GOOD.
• Could it be my Alternator?
• Not sure if it could be the ground connected to my battery that needs replacement? It kind of looks flimsy and bent.
• Tried my friends Battery and it didn't start either. Also tried jumping it, no crank and then trying their Starter & Relay fuses to no crank.
• I did notice as I went underneath the Jeep that it looks like oil is leaking from somewhere and looks as if it's been dripping. I just got an oil change last week.

Any thoughts please? Throw them my way to diagnose...

agreen

On the starter there are 2 connections. A big one and a small one. The big one is battery power. 12v, all the time. The small one is switched power. 12v only when the key is placed to crank. There are also a few ground connections, and those are on the engine. Just forward of the distributor is a bundle of ground wires/cables. You need all 3 of those connections to make the starter spin. Clean connections are an absolute must.

Also, if the starter is soaked in oil, it could definitely be done for. It's most likely your oil filter adapter leaking if that's the case.

A simple test:
-Key on (in the run position)
-Vehicle in park or neutral, parking brake set.
-Use a short screwdriver to touch the large and small terminals on the starter together.
-If the engine starts, you're not getting the start signal from the ignition switch. Could be the ignition switch or the wiring.
-If it doesn't start, it's either the starter or the wiring.


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lawsoncl

Does it click or make any noise? Does it crank if you jiggle the shifter or try with it in neutral? On a 24-year old vehicle, rotten battery cables are almost a given.

Suedehead

@agreen Yes, this is what I was noticing. The Starter does look drenched. I tried cleaning the connections from the little wiggle room I had but nothing. I'll more than likely get under there hopefully soon and try cleaning it the best that I can and see about trying that test out, but if nothing will try getting it tested.

I will try looking at where all these grounds are located as well and see if anything looks odd there first. Either way, good idea to clean and check Starter and look at the Oil filter.

Thanks so much for your input, it helped!

Suedehead

@lawsoncl Hey! Yes, I hear a click as I try turning the ignition on. It was doing a crank click (hard click), but then now I only hear a click from the relays under the hood. Nothing cranks at all, but I will try it in Neutral and see if that does anything different. Everything comes on, just won't start.

But yes, I was thinking it could be the battery cables. Or the fact that the other ends like @agreen mentioned are drenched in oil and doesn't have a good connection or it could be toast. But I do want to get them replaced as they are looking pretty rough, so I may end up doing that after diagnosing the Starter.

I appreciate your input! @lawsoncl

Roler

Classic problem
Diagnostic process will give you your answer.
Assuming your battery is good here.


Simple test first:
-remove starter relay
- turn key to On position
- jump pin terminal/socket 30 and 87 (see my pic)

Tell me what happens

Suedehead

It was the Starter guys, lol. Thanks @agreen @lawsoncl and @Roler for your time and inputs!

lawsoncl

Make sure you resolve that oil leak so you don't kill another starter. The oil filter adapter or valve cover are the most common leaks that get the starter wet.

Skorch

This is a great test and great workaround. My 94 ZJ 5.2 went into a no crank status 2 days after having a transmission shop replace my O.D. solenoid. Now O.D. works but 2 days later no crank from key. Tested batt, starter, all fuses, and inspected wires. Tested NSS by moving gear selector, trying start in all other positions. No crank. Jumped starter relay pin #85 to ground, no crank. This terminal is normally ground through the NSS and indicates shifter is in park or neutral. If NSS is bad, grounding pin 85 keeps continuity and should crank. But again, no crank. I've read in other posts that there is a sensor which looks at oil level and prevents crank in a no oil level situation. Seems my last hope, but I see nothing in the Chilton's about it. Where can I look for it? I just changed the oil and was using a generic dipstick. But even with the old one back in, no crank. Any suggestions are welcome. The jeep starts and drives using this relay jump trick but... would be nice to get it to start from the key. BTW I replaced igntion switch and key cylinder a week ago. No crank. I do have reverse lights.. This jump trick is great, now to find what inhibits crank besides faulty NSS. Suggestions welcome and thanks to all who have replied above here already.

cpttuna

Take and cut the side out of an old Prestone antifreeze jug and zip tie it above the starter

agreen

While you're at it, tie plastic bags to your feet instead of using shoes!