Jeep will not start

[01sahara]

I seem to have developed a new problem this morning.  I think the starter has now gone on the jeep.
 
It started this morning at home but was turning over poorly.
At work later it started but just barley, turning over very slowly.
The next time it would not turn over the engine at all.
No lights on for the charging system.
No solenoids making any sound now.
All the other components seem to be working fine.
I was able to push it to the top of the hill and bump start it no problem.
The jeep recently had a large mud bath, new clutch and wash under the hood to clean the mud off.

My first guess is the starter has gone. Are there any solenoids or in line fuses I should be checking first or just go buy a starter and put in a new one.

Any advise before I go looking for a parts store with a hill to park on?

Thanks,
Blair

[BlackYJ]

How is the charge on the battery.  The reason I am asking is because alternator DO NOT like mud.  I would give the alternator and starter another good wash and try to clean out all the crap.  If the solenoid is shot, I believe you would normally hear the fast clicking sound.

[01sahara]

Thanks Scott

I think the alternator is fine. No engine codes for bad charging system and the alternator gage on the dash is in its normal position. It could be the battery but I drove it for over an hour after it would not start using the key everything seems to be working properly. I will take your advice and re- wash the alternator gently with the hose at home tonight and check the fluids.

I need to think of what auto parts dealers are on a hill so I can get parts and then use the hill to start it again.

[Bnine]

Get home, pull the starter, tear it apart, clean it up.

Re install it, see how goes. May be whiney, but they last a while like that.

If its still crap, get an autovalue one, keep the receipt, and get new starters warrentied until you loose said receipt :wink:

All doable with basic hand tools. You will find a lot of junk in there.

[01sahara]

Thanks Bill I will give that a try

[unionjack]

my first thing to check is to see if battery is holding a charge(wal-mart used to do free battery test) in my past experience the starter gave me signs it was on its way out! ie:slow turn, i got a rebuilt starter from worldwide starters on 17th ave for the tune of $50 and it has been awesome

[gsxtacy]

c heck the main positive contact.... if it's bunk (ex/ dirty, corroded, oily or burnt) take it off and clean it and if that's not it, then try to rebuild the starter

that's what it was on my bud's chebby

[Vinman]

Maybe when the clutch was installed the tech didn't tighten the starter cable when the starter was re-installed.

[01sahara]

Well the jeep is bleeding money this week.

All the connections were tight and the jeep seemed to have no problems with the battery or charging system. I took the starter motor apart to clean it up. The brushes in side were very badly worn. One was no longer floating on a spring but had become jammed and worn completely down. I thought I would give it a try anyway after cleaning it up as best as I could.  Then I dropped the ball bearing that goes at the end of the shaft. Lots of bad words were said and 1 hour of looking for the stupid ball bearing on the driveway with no luck. Then I rolled the jeep down the hill to get it going and went and got a new starter. It’s installed and seems to be working fine.

JUST EMPTY EVERY POCKET.

Tomorrow nights project is to install the new rock rails. I hope this one goes off with no surprises. With my luck this week I will set my beer down tomorrow night in the driveway on top of that stupid ball bearing it will fall over and spill. Crap happens so I guess I should just make sure I have extra beer.

Thanks for all the advice.

Blair

[ornamental]

Tomorrow nights project is to install the new rock rails. I hope this one goes off with no surprises. With my luck this week I will set my beer down tomorrow night in the driveway on top of that stupid ball bearing it will fall over and spill. Crap happens so I guess I should just make sure I have extra beer.

Thanks for all the advice.

Blair

what rock rails are you installing?  maby you can rest the beer on one of the rails?  
.... hate mud yet?

[FiEND]

same problem here Blair, after that Saturday run, came home and went to take the jeep to the bubble bath and click click.  guess i'll take it apart, also have the spare starter I got with the jeep.

i'll do it inside and try not to drop anything small and round.  brrr glad this is a quick and easy teardown.

tried battery charger, nothing.  went and bought some new cables to boost and nothing.  glad its the starter and not the red top.

[FiEND]

no problems, the spare starter had a stud broken off the solenoid so i swapped with the other starter and vroom.  felt a little slow turning over at first but was ok later tonight.  i'll buy a rebuilt and use the old one as the core someday soon.

i'll check out "worldwide starters on 17th ave"

[Elsifer]

Where did you get this new starter Blair? The Dealership?

Inquiring minds want to more a few more details.

[01sahara]

Where did you get this new starter Blair? The Dealership?

Inquiring minds want to more a few more details.

Part Source had them in stock this summer. Sorry I can't remember the price. Did your starter go in the cold?

[SwampSinger]

Where did you get this new starter Blair? The Dealership?

Inquiring minds want to more a few more details.

Part Source had them in stock this summer. Sorry I can't remember the price. Did your starter go in the cold?

Ask Greg (Apex) .. he won one from ATI at the last S&S. I think (not sure) the one he has from ATI does not have a seleniod. It's new and improve... you can call Rich at ATI... he can explain better & he has lots of them.