dpa

I have a 99 WJ. I know the cables are not the best, because I bought this Jeep new in 1999 and never replaced. I don't drive it often. Has a new battery in it. I drove it to Pizza shop, when I originally started it it would not start, wiggled the battery terminals and it started. Then at pizza shop, it would not start. I wiggled battery terminals again, no start, just a single "click". I had a battery pack in the car for jump start, put it on the battery, no go, one click. Pulled battery, wife picked me up and headed home, left jeep alone, in a parking lot for the night. Had battery tested at Advanced Auto, they said, "Its a new battery you just bought it 3 months ago, and it tests perfect, no issues w the battery". Called mobile tech next day he went to the Jeep. Said it was starter, and also a relay he replaced starter and relay or fuse, Said old starter had lot of oil on it. New starter, same issue, power, wont' crank one click.. He exchanged the new starter at a different auto parts store for another new starter, and installed 2nd new starter, same issue, on click. Therefore not starter. He replaced my original starter, tried again, said the engine began to crank then stopped, At this point, he said he checked the engine and that the top half turned but indicated bottom main was seized. I had the Jeep towed home with the impression it was seized.. Did my own testing, and the main engine is "not seized" moved just fine under a wrench. So not seized, called mechanic who had worked on it, he said the CAM could be in two pieces and would allow the main pullly to turn under wrench?? I love this Jeep, bought it brand new in 1999 and don't want to junk it. I feel like the issue could be more electrical but have no idea what to look for. Any thoughts appreciated.

Cherryokee

If you drove it to the pizza shop and the engine ran, but how well? Was it driving like a beaten dog and blowing all kinds of fog and fume? Did it ever make a scary sound (clunk, snap, pop) while trying to start?

dpa

Hello and thanks for your reply. The Jeep ran great all he way to the Pizza shop. It has never run bad since I bought it new in 1999. No smoke, its by no means a daily driver right now but has consistency been solid for short trips around town within 5 miles of the house for the past 15 years. When trying to start, just one "click" and then it stops. Like it can't turn the engine. The engine I do not believe is locked because I was able to turn it with a wrench .. moved fine.

Cherryokee

If you can perform compression testing then you will learn the overall status of cam, valves, rings and crank, and can then refute the diagnosis of a snapped cam. I don't want to "lead you down the path to the parts cannon". I'm trying to help you to avoid that by recommending performance of diagnostic steps. My suspicions include a faulty ignition switch and/or relays in the start/run circuit. Can you test for "Run" circuit completion and/or interruptions to the start/run sequence, get a couple relays for swapping to see if any changes to the sequence while testing...I'm reaching now! As long as you know that your battery is fresh and the circuits/sequences are robust then this should not be a difficult diagnosis and repair. Again, verify all connections and grounds are solid, rule-out the neutral safety switch too (try to start in neutral).

dpa

This is great information. I am going to do the electrical testing first, I am almost certain that we will find out that one of the things you have recommended is the real culprit. Oddly enough, the mobile mechanic who thought the engine was seized called me the other day at like 6AM... he had been thinking about it for a few weeks and came up with a similar idea that it's the battery cables that are bad and should are replaced. He agreed to come out and do that labor for free... given I had paid him originally to change the starter, which was not actually the issue. I will report back on this. thanks again.

Cherryokee

A week has passed. What's the verdict? C'mon, tell me the good news....