Ok so im out here in Lowman Idaho, Im from Oregon and working out here, today is Sunday and I have today to figure out what is wrong cuz im away during the week. I think I have a good trail of evidence.

So. at first, about a week ago, i WAS AT THE GAS STATION, WENT TO LEAVE TURNED MY KEY AND GOT NO RESPONSE. (sorry about the caps) I had power to all of my instruments dome lights etc. I had no click from the selenoid (the starter is 5 months old and tested fine. Then after 5 minutes of trying and re trying it turned over and got it home.

once home I tried it again andnoting again so I quit till morning. in the morning it turned over but grinded in the starter like I wasnt getting much juice and the selenoid couldnt fully engage the starter.

itturned over one more time and nothing after that. I bought new Negative battery cables cuz I needed some and I also boutht a hot lead tester. I havent used the hotlead tester yet to see if I am getting power to my exciter wire at the starter.

the guy at napa expects its a ground wire problem, I am now starting to suspect that maybe egnition swith problem? I get power at the aux position for sure.

I also knwo that my positive cables aqre good, I am getting power to my main fuse box and starter no problem. (I accidently touched both treminals on th estarter and it sparked like a ****).

so I think I gave some good info, ill update on the exciter wire status soon, I get limited internet here.

thanks for helping an xj in need!

 

So I tested the exciter wire at the starter while my buddy held the key in the start position. Is it possible for the egnition switch to fail in one position?

 

In put my new negative battery cable on and it still didnt start, then I tried again and it turned over. I drove it to charge up the battery and get the fluids moving. then I came back parked it shut it off and tried again and nothing. then 15 minutes later I was checking the selenoid exciter wire for juice with the teater and it turned over but gave a bit of a grind like the selenoid wasnt getting full power

come on guys anything?

 

not sure this is your prob with the grinding but worth a try check the nss in the gear box

 

So i dont know what it could be as i personally have not had this issue...

But when i was having problems with battery cables and stuff. i would turn the key to the "on position" connect jumper cables to the battery, then attach the neg to the lower control arm bolt at the frame end then touch the positive to the starter wire until it fired up (make sure it is in park/neutral with the E-Brake engaged).

I know it is not a fix. But it is a sure way to make it start if you are having issues. and everyone has jumper cables in their cars.

I hope you get it figured out

 

my suspicion is in the ignition switch. Im getting power to my exciter wire sometimes so its making me think that the switch is failing. any info on that switch? does anyone know if the wire goes directly frim the ignition switch to starter?

 

Im heading out of town rite now for the week and will not have internet