Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: phnguyen on April 10, 2012, 05:16:41 AM

Title: 2003 TJ Won't Start (Again)
Post by: phnguyen on April 10, 2012, 05:16:41 AM
The jeep gods have been using me as a punching bag recently. I went to pick up some groceries at Superstore. Came back out and couldn't get it to start. Had to get it towed back to my house. Battery and electrical systems seem to be functional. All the lights act normally when I put the key into the ignition but when I turn it, nothing happens. I did a google search and it seemed like the problem might have been the actuator pin being broken so I replaced that but the results are the same. Jeep died a couple of months ago and the starter was the culprit at the time so that's been replaced as well. Now the check engine light is on and blinks 11 times when I put the key into the ignition. If anyone has any idea what the problem could be, I'd love to hear from you. Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: 2003 TJ Won't Start (Again)
Post by: phnguyen on April 10, 2012, 05:19:55 AM
Oh I forgot to mention, I tried getting a code by turning the key on and off 3 times but the only thing that pops up on my dash is "done".
Title: Re: 2003 TJ Won't Start (Again)
Post by: phnguyen on April 10, 2012, 05:31:46 AM
One last thing. About a week before it happened, I drove down to the  Talisman Centre downtown. Came out after a few hours and the jeep did the same thing. After trying to boost it, I called for a tow. While waiting for them to come down, I turned the key in the ignition and voila, started without any issues. No other incidents the rest of the week until I landed in the situation I'm in now.
Title: Re: 2003 TJ Won't Start (Again)
Post by: specialk on April 10, 2012, 07:02:26 AM
neutral safety switch?  standard or auto?
Title: Re: 2003 TJ Won't Start (Again)
Post by: WhiteOut on April 10, 2012, 08:24:55 AM
X2 on the NSS. Put it in Neutral if it is an auto and see if it will start.
Title: Re: 2003 TJ Won't Start (Again)
Post by: cLAY on April 10, 2012, 10:01:40 AM
Stick or auto?  Stick-clutch safety switch.   Auto-NSS..
Title: Re: 2003 TJ Won't Start (Again)
Post by: AV.NINE on April 10, 2012, 10:44:00 AM
Could also be your battery shorting out on the inside. That causes all kinds of funky behaviour.
Title: Re: 2003 TJ Won't Start (Again)
Post by: phnguyen on April 10, 2012, 01:01:36 PM
It's a stick shift. I tried putting a 20 amp fuse in the fuse location #20 behind the glove box to bypass the interlock switch with no results.
Title: Re: 2003 TJ Won't Start (Again)
Post by: specialk on April 10, 2012, 01:20:47 PM
I had a wire in my fusebox of the Libby that was causing a similar issue.  It was partially broken and got worse with time...  You may have to start rooting around in there with a test light.

All the fuses and relays in working order? Do you hear the starter click at all when you turn the ignition? Check to see if you have power at the starter solenoid.  Work your way back to the fuse block.    Have you made any electrical changes (lights, winch) recently?   And I think it's funny that I'm giving advice on electrical issues.   A month ago I knew nothing about diagnosing this crap!  And for the record...  wiring issues SUCK.    
Title: Re: 2003 TJ Won't Start (Again)
Post by: BUKI on April 10, 2012, 03:06:33 PM
Can you push start it. If you can might be cheaper than tow truck.
Title: Re: 2003 TJ Won't Start (Again)
Post by: phnguyen on April 12, 2012, 11:16:26 PM
So the issue ended up being the solenoid. Replaced it and all is well now. Well, almost. When I put the key into the ignition and turn it to the on position, the check engine light is still there and blinking 11 times. Once the car is running though it goes away. Any thoughts?
Title: Re: 2003 TJ Won't Start (Again)
Post by: frenchy on April 12, 2012, 11:39:43 PM
Stop calling it a car!

Any pauses between the 11 blinks?
Eg: 5/ pause / 5 would simply mean end of test.
Title: Re: 2003 TJ Won't Start (Again)
Post by: phnguyen on April 13, 2012, 07:07:02 PM
My bad my bad. Her name is Brandi and I'll refer to her as such from now on. No pauses. Just blinks 11 times then the light stays on until I turn her on. See what I did there? Sexual innuendo about a car. Probably the first time that's ever happened.
Title: Re: Re: Re: 2003 TJ Won't Start (Again)
Post by: binare on April 13, 2012, 07:16:43 PM
My bad my bad. Her name is Brandi and I'll refer to her as such from now on. No pauses. Just blinks 11 times then the light stays on until I turn her on. See what I did there? Sexual innuendo about a car. Probably the first time that's ever happened.

Eh? whats that?
Title: Re: 2003 TJ Won't Start (Again)
Post by: Spinalguy on April 13, 2012, 08:14:45 PM
My bad my bad. Her name is Brandi and I'll refer to her as such from now on. No pauses. Just blinks 11 times then the light stays on until I turn her on. See what I did there? Sexual innuendo about a car. Probably the first time that's ever happened.
Actually, after that, i prefer you go back to calling it a car :flipoff2: