Starting Trouble

[jamesrw30]

As of recently my TJ is having some trouble. Last week I got in it and it just clicked. I jumped it off figuring the battery was bad. Went to advanced to have them check everything. Everything came back better than normal so I thought maybe it was a random moment. It is getting progressively worse as time goes on. If I don't drive it every day it won't start. I am not leaving anything on so I know that is not draining the battery. If I jump it off, it canks no problem. The only odd thing I am noticing, it seems like the ignition switch has a point that, when it does crank, you can't go past or you get nothing. I am lost. Please help!:dontknow:

[jamesrw30]

On a side note, the clicking sounds like it is coming from the starter engaging. I didn't specify that before.

[Want2Wheel]

I would clean the bettery terminals off first, and make sure that you are getting a good connection there. If they are loose at all or if connection is not solid replace it. A loose battery terminal can drain the battery over time.

[jamesrw30]

I gave the positive a tug but I will take a good look at them both tomorrow afternoon.

[Gubni]

Next time you drive it check voltage after you get back home with a meter. Then the next day check before you leave. If the voltage is the same you may have a bad connection such as the starter.

High amperage such as two batteries can overcome a bad connection some times.

[jamesrw30]

Will do, thank you guys.

[jeepinmatt]

I thought this thread was going to be about Westboro Baptist or something...hehe.

The notorious click has been corroded battery terminals 9 times out of 10 for me. They may seem fine sometimes, and not work at all other times. They sell battery terminal cleaners at car parts stores that have a male and female wire brush that work great for getting the corrosion off. Get them good and shiny and you should be in good shape.

If it persists, you may want to check into the ignition switch issue you were describing, but the battery terminals is a quick, easy thing which should probably be done anyway.

[jamesrw30]

Thanks for the info Matt. I will look into all that.

[jeep cherokee sport]

Any luck so far?

[jamesrw30]

Won't be able to check anything until I get off this afternoon. Plan on making a trip to advanced and getting one of the brushes that matt spoke of and go from there. I will keep every one updated. *Fingers crossed it will work*

[Derrickalda]

I would clean the bettery terminals off first, and make sure that you are getting a good connection there. If they are loose at all or if connection is not solid replace it. A loose battery terminal can drain the battery over time.

x2

[jamesrw30]

When I got home I checked the voltage. was right around 12.6. It started after a few attempts but didn't have to jump it off, drove it to advanced to get a post brush. Got home, voltage was around 12.8. Nothing huge but a difference. Cleaned the posts and the cable ends. It is amazing how bad they were. Never would have guessed. See what happens tomorrow.

[Bdt00buckshot]

I worked for advance last year. If they used the computer looking batt tester then it is a connection or bad place in the starter. I would clean the batt cables. Clean the starter cables. If u go mudding these get wet and will corrode.

If u still have issues pull the starter off and use an electrical aerosol cleaner wash the starter out. U could have mud and junk in there. I had to do that on my ranger.

If u still have issues I would check the key circuit then replace the starter. Or have it bench tested. But if it has an solenoid that is remote mounted I would start there.

[jamesrw30]

It is amazing what a $4 brush can do. Went out today and it started like a champ. No problems at all. Thanks for all the help!

[Bowtielover]

You would be suprised at how a bad Ground,or positive conection can make one Run,Idle ,start, and charge, I had a car come in the shop today with a sparatic IDLE, and A/C not cooling very well when it showed good presures,, Turned out a bad ground on the Battery was the corprate of both problems.