Jeep won't start.

XbajajeepX

XbajajeepX

NAXJA Forum User
Location
So. Lake Tahoe
98 XJ 4.0 AW4. Everything was fine last night when I last drive the jeep. Went out to start it this morning and nothing. Battery isn't dead, stereo, lights ect all work fine. There's just no crank whatsoever. I'm thinking starter?
 
You are 100% the battery is ok? use a battery tester and/or at least the voltage on a multimeter ?

Just because stereo and lights work doesn't mean the battery is good FYI. Put a good charge on the battery before you start down a slippery slope
 
I had my girlfriend bring her 4runner over and we left the cables on there for a good while. Still no crank, nothing.
 
Try giving the starter a little tappy.
Double check all of your connections and the fuses and relays for the starter as well.
If that doesn't work....
Do this at your own risk! Have someone hold the key in the start position while you tap on the starter.
If that fails to get er started, take the starter off and have it tested at your local friendly auto parts store.
 
Did you try to start it in neutral and not just park? Sometimes the neutral safety switch sticks, moving it to neutral may allow it to crank if the NSS is the problem.
 
91to99 said:
Try giving the starter a little tappy.
Double check all of your connections and the fuses and relays for the starter as well.
If that doesn't work....
Do this at your own risk! Have someone hold the key in the start position while you tap on the starter.
If that fails to get er started, take the starter off and have it tested at your local friendly auto parts store.
Click to expand...

This.
If you don't even hear the starter solenoid click when you turn the key, then hit the solenoid on the side of the starter with the butt of a screwdriver or something and then try it again. Or as said above, if you like to live dangerously have someone hold the key in the start position while you hit it.
 
Try in N like Bryan said.
Tap the starter if you suspect the solenoid in the starter sticking.

Otherwise Start with the 2 basics:

do you have spark?
do you have fuel pressure?

and picture a decision tree in your head for each node and what you should test next after you can rule out the above.


"I had my girlfriend bring her 4runner over and we left the cables on there for a good while. Still no crank, nothing."

Also, if the battery is totally drained you better leave the cables on there along time.

Does the battery test OK with a battery tester ? Multimeter reading 12.5V+ ?
 
I definitely gave the solenoid a little tap, but not with someone turning the ignition on. I did try to start it in neutral. I haven't tested anything yet, due to lack of tools right now. I have to work all day tomorrow but I should have some time Saturday to try and narrow things down a bit. If anyone is local to south lake that has a battery tester or anything that could help, I can provide a few beers. Thanks!
 
So it's come down to the jeep only not starting int he mornings when it's freezing out. As soon as the temp starts rising the jeep starts fine... Starter? or a sensor?
 
could still be the NSS. Mine is gummed up I guess and it wont start in park or neutral, wont even kick a little bit even if I hold the key on and move the shifter back and forth. But when I jumper the connection it cranks and starts right away every time.
 
Not meaning to Hijack, but I've got the same issue. We've changed the starter, brand new bendix. Read over a wealth of info here and did the clutch sensor bypass using the OEM plug kindly provided by Jeep. Still no crank. Can bump start it and it runs like a top.
Can the crank position sensor cause it to not turn over but allow it to run normally once started.

Logic tells me not, but logic and me are no longer friends. LOL

Thx
 
If the crank sensor goes out, typically you can still crank the motor over, but you won't have a spark. That was my experience at least.
 
yeah, crank position sensor wont stop cranking. You check out the ignition switch? Unless you have an aftermarket alarm there really isnt a lot of wiring/sensors involved in whether it cranks or not. Maybe double check to make sure you bypassed the sensor correctly. If you tried back probing the connector its a lot harder to get it in my experience than most connectors.
 
XbajajeepX said:
So it's come down to the jeep only not starting int he mornings when it's freezing out. As soon as the temp starts rising the jeep starts fine... Starter? or a sensor?
Click to expand...

Not cranking over in cold weather usually points to a bad battery. I would pull it out and have it load tested.
 
jeepme said:
Not cranking over in cold weather usually points to a bad battery. I would pull it out and have it load tested.
Click to expand...

if he tried to jump it from a running engine and nothing happened its not likely the battery.


if you put it in reverse do the reverse lights come on? With the key on, of course
 
(Given that this is so old, I don't think this is a hijack...but anyway)...this sounds just like mine. I'm worried it's NSS...it refused to start, no crank, no click, nada...but then once on the freakin flatbed when it was angled all the way down to the ground (yes I had to have it towed...I was in a public lot that I couldn't leave it overnight at)...IT STARTS. Then...once on solid ground...NOTHING.

Well, I'll fool with it in the morning I guess. Appreciate the info. Read the FAQ...mine is a 1.4 problem...I think. Spark plugs and coil rail replaced in January. No issues....until now.
 
Well I took the starter into orileys and had it tested. They said it failed so I bought a new one. I just put it in and the jeep still won't start. No click, nothing. I'm thinking they lied to me about my starter failing too. What else could be causing the jeep not to start? I have to get this fixed by Monday for work. Any help is very much appreciated.
 
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