Hey all,
I've searched and read numerous threads but can't find an answer to my problem.
Jeep sat for 3 days last weekend, I got home and Tuesday morning it wouldn't turn over, no crank, no nothing. Didn't have a chance to chase it till today.

Battery is fine, checked fuse 10 in the pdc and it was blown, so swapped it out for a new one, still didn't start. I was able to start it by jumping the starter (connecting the posts with a screwdriver) but the starter continued to whirr. Turned it off and it started on it's own (with the key turned to off) because the starter was still getting power. So I pulled fuse #10 again to cut power to the starter and stop the whirring, and that fuse is once again blown.

So from what I understand is I'm getting constant power to the starter, what would cause that? and I'm assuming that is why the fuse is blowing

Electrical is not my strong suit. Thanks for any assistance

 

Bad ignition switch.


If your vehicle was actually running even though you turned it to OFF at the ignition switch. Then the ignition switch is likely the culprit. Having the engine running requires more than just the starter spinning.

 

Would a bad ignition switch lead to that fuse blowing? I was leaning towards ignitions switch but how would I test it so see if it's bad? or should I just replace it to rule it out

 

You can unplug the ignition switch and see if the power at the starter is off ,

 

Fuse 10 on your year is the starter relay fuse. So yes, it is quite possible. Because normally it would only be on momentarily, but it sounds like from your description that the circuit is remaining closed. That might eventually pull enough amperage through the fuse to blow it. I'm not saying this is certain, but I am saying there is a definite link between fuse 10 and the ignition switch.

 

Could happen. When starters do a 'run on' like that a sudden disconnection can produce some interesting results.

I'm with tech - unplug it as a diagnostic.

 

Thanks for the guidance all, after some chasing, it's not the ignition switch, removed it and bypassed the ignition (hotwired) and I'm now the relay clicks (in the pdc), plugged the ignition back in and it also gets the relay click. so that leads me to think the issue is beyond the relay.

 

I think I'm going to replace the battery cables as they look a bit corroded, I'm also thinking that the starter solenoid could be toast, would that make sense?

 

It's never a bad idea to replace corroded cables.

Yes, this problem could be the starter solenoid. They can get stuck sometimes.

It would be better to do some troubleshooting rather than just firing the parts cannon. Disconnect the starter completely and see if you get the correct voltage readings at the solenoid when you operate the ignition switch.

 

My thoughts exactly in regards to the cables, won't hurt to replace them. I'm trying to avoid the parts cannon, hence why I haven't bought anything but replacement fuses yet. I will test the voltage of the solenoid and go from there

 

Just incase anyone runs into the same issue, it was the starter, she's up and running again.