So, today I went to drive the jeep and it wouldn't turn over. It is a 98 XJ 4.0 5spd. The last few times I went to start it, it would give me a little grief before it would turn over (had to push the clutch in a lot of times or wiggle the clutch safety switch wires). Now, whatever I try it wont turn over. I have unplugged the clutch safety switch and put in a wire to complete the circuit and still nothing. The last few times when it gave me grief, it turned over and started quickly. I am not sure what to check next. The starter does not sound like it is clicking, but there are some relays clicking in the fuse box.

Thanks for any help,
David

 

push start it let it get to operating temp then shut off see if it starts

 

How is are the battery terminals looking?

I noticed that mine went berserk when I had a little corrosion between the post and the terminal. Not enough to see without removing the cable, but cleaning things up made her run like she used to run.

 

freegdr,

Thanks for the tip. I went and had some friends push start it, ran it until it was warm, turned it off and it started right back up. Could the starter gear have been frozen to the flywheel? The voltage was kinda low before we push started it. Not sure why it worked, but it did.

Thanks,
David

 

Be absolutely sure your battery terminals and battery posts are shiny clean.

Any corrosion equals resistance equals problems.