'99 sport electrical problem, starter not working

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Aug 8, 2016 | 08:28 AM

irmachinist

Thread Starter

Newbie

Joined: Jan 2015

Posts: 6

Likes: 0

Model: Cherokee

'99 sport electrical problem, starter not working

My son's 99 sport died this weekend. We can disconnect the battery for a moment, reconnect it, and the dash lights and instrumentation come on when the key is turned on. When we try to start it we get a "click" and all the lights and instrumentation go dead and will not come back up until we disconnect the battery again.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance
i_r_

Aug 8, 2016 | 08:55 AM

Bustedback

CF Veteran

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 12,367

Likes: 23

From: Oroville, CA

Year: 1995

Model: Grand Cherokee

Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter

Start by having the battery load tested.

Aug 9, 2016 | 06:55 AM

BlueRidgeMark

CF Veteran

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 7,965

Likes: 964

From: Lost in the wilds of Virginia

Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand

Model: Cherokee (XJ)

Engine: 4.0

Yep.

If it tests good, you can be about 85-90% sure that it's good. (Your local auto store will test it for free, but they aren't exactly top notch mechanics, so....)

Next thing to check would be the condition of the battery cables, and make sure to check where they connect to the battery and where they connect to the vehicle. Problems can show up at both ends (and anywhere in between).