Heep just left me stranded
#1
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Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 99 4.0
Heep just left me stranded
Ive never had this happen before, but a jeep has actually left me stranded. I got in it and started up just fine, and drove it a block and a half. shut it off and went inside for a few, when I came out it wouldnt start. no clicking,no whining, no noise at all. first thought was to check the terminal connections, but nothing worked. so either the wiring is bad,the starter is toast or the battery crapped out. my question is which one?
I dont think its the starter cause it worked perfectly 10 mins earlier.
so could it be the battery? all my lights come on and everything, but is there a voltage level where the starter wont crank at all? normally you either get clicking or whining as it struggles, but i got nothing. so that makes me think wiring.
just trying to get an idea if a low/bad battery could do this in the jeep.
mine is a 97,4.0,auto
I dont think its the starter cause it worked perfectly 10 mins earlier.
so could it be the battery? all my lights come on and everything, but is there a voltage level where the starter wont crank at all? normally you either get clicking or whining as it struggles, but i got nothing. so that makes me think wiring.
just trying to get an idea if a low/bad battery could do this in the jeep.
mine is a 97,4.0,auto
#2
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Year: 88 limited
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
First take off both battery terminals and clean ,clean clean . My jeep did the same thing,had lights and everything ,wouldn't even click ,that did it for me.
#4
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 inline 6 (o yea!)
Try having someone start the jeep while you tap on the side of the starter/solenoid with a long screwdriver, or prybar. (just don't accidentally touch the two posts together) To my knowledge there is no low voltage shut off. If the battery is dead your lights would be dim and the jeep should still crank just super slow and without enough power to start. My guess is, if the lights are still on and everything else works/appears fine then its the starter.
Last edited by sgtskid; 11-08-2010 at 01:01 PM.
#7
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
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#9
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Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 99 4.0
im pretty sure my jeep wont start in nuetral, my nss was bad on the 90 and i had to wiggle it like that, but it doesnt seem like thats the issue. i just found someone to help so ill try some starter finesse. why touch the leads together with hammer? and then next post says do not touch leads together?
#10
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Year: 1994 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
From what you've mentioned I would also suggest the NSS. If it's only partly bad it will still start in nuetral however once it totally goes it won't start in anything and nothing happens. Since the NSS also acts as the reverse light switch turn it on and put it in reverse and see if the backup lights come on. If it is the NSS it's easy enough to bypass and get moving by looping the 2 black ground wires together. The old smacking the starter with a hammer trick sometimes gets them to work a bit longer if the get stuck.
#13
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Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 99 4.0
well i went back down to the jeep and it started on the first try. i got in it and drove it right to the parts store. and when I shut it off it wouldnt do anything again. then I tighten all the connections,tried tapping the starter,nothing worked. the nss doesnt seem to be the issue, the reverse lights work and no jiggling required.
I pulled the battery, it tested fine, I put it back in and used some of their battery grease tightened it up and it started again. I dont know what is going on.
I pulled the battery, it tested fine, I put it back in and used some of their battery grease tightened it up and it started again. I dont know what is going on.
#14
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Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6, 4.ol
Is your battery strapped down? If its not I have heard of stories of the batteries bouncing up, hitting the hood and shorting out. Could be a possibility...
#15
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Year: 1987
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starter is prob the issue, mine did the same thing, i had to hit it with a piece of wood to get it to start. One day it flat out quite. It had given impressions of a week battery before all this started.