I'm 98.2% positive my starter is fried, just wanted to describe what happened/was happening every once and a while to see what you all thought, and if there was something else wrong on top of this. When I'd turn my key, the starter motor would engage, but would be very, very slow, and sound like it was grinding and working really, really, hard to turn. Usually, it has one of these really hard cranks, (starts though) then the starts are back to normal and fast. But, finally, it had one of these really slow cranks, and upon trying again, the starter motor doesn't engage anymore. Battery, Alternator, all other electrical things are good. (Kudos to this starter though, it's stock and has a quarter of a million miles on it.)

Anyway, hard to change out a starter? Never done one before. Done water pumps, radiators, alternators and such, just never a starter motor, so any tips are greatly appreciated.

 

Assumeing it's still clicking, hold it for 10 secs then quick go under and feel where the wire connects to the starter. Bad connections will get hot, sometimes REALLY hot. I'm new here, but if you search and look around a bit, your problem has to be here. Good luck! Don

Also try hitting it!

 

Thanks Don, I've also heard tapping (Hitting it hard) can do something. I'll fool around with that and try in the morning, but probably end up just replacing the thing. And yes, when I turn the key, I hear the click.

 

Hey! Have hope! You may not need a starter. In my two Jeeps over lots of years I've had that connection go bad more than once. Also I saw on a post that the grounding, the whole works bolted on CAN, not connect! Hard for me to swallow, but someone said it happens. Another one, I guess you know is to smack it while someone is holding the key on. Use to think if that worked it was the solonoid, but now.....sticking/worn brushes, or even just a bad connection...are in the picture. On mine the top bolt, a 14mm or 9/16 comes from the back. A universal or squiggly and some long extensions help. Disconnect the battery!

 

take it out and have a lookie.... not hard to do....

just rebuilt mine after a wee swim i went on

follow this dude, and put his site in ya favorites..

http://jeep-xj.info/HowtoStarterClean.htm

 

Yeah, went out earlier this afternoon, had it off in ten minutes. I guess I shouldn't assume all the work on my Cherok will be terrible. Haha. WHole replacement took 30 minutes. Thanks guys.