Help me! This is WEIRD!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 523
Likes: 2
From: Manassas, VA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Alright, i replaced the starter today. Now when i go to connect the battery the engine tries to crank over! With the ignition off? WTF!!!!

CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
Double check that you connected the cable to the outer post on the starter solonoid, not the other that is nearer the starter.
Or hit it with a hammer. (seriously)
Or you got a faulty starter.
Or your Pos cable is touching the small green solonoid wire or it's terminal.
Or hit it with a hammer. (seriously)
Or you got a faulty starter.
Or your Pos cable is touching the small green solonoid wire or it's terminal.
Double check that you connected the cable to the outer post on the starter solonoid, not the other that is nearer the starter.
Or hit it with a hammer. (seriously)
Or you got a faulty starter.
Or your Pos cable is touching the small green solonoid wire or it's terminal.
Or hit it with a hammer. (seriously)
Or you got a faulty starter.
Or your Pos cable is touching the small green solonoid wire or it's terminal.
Hi Guys,
I was just out looking at this with OP_Rover.
All connections appear to be correct
There are only two wires.
One is a clip, and that clips into the female side of the clip.
The other one is an square eyelet that is connected to the outer most terminal.
The plastic tabs on the starter only allow it to be aligned and hooked one one way.
Both of these connections are on correctly.
When we hook up the battery, the Jeep tries to start with nothing in the ignition.
Any more insite?
Tks
Will
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Seasoned Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: Traverse City, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Make sure the connections are the way that the old one was setup. Disconnect the small wire with the plug and connect the battery. If it cranks still the starter solenoid is stuck closed (or its still hooked up wrong. Hard to say without seeing it) if it doesn't crank with the little wire not connected then the s terminal is getting power when it shouldn't. Such as a bad IGN switch or a short to power on that wire.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 523
Likes: 2
From: Manassas, VA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Thanks everyone. Zfranklin92, tried disconnecting the plug, it didn't crank. So I have an electrical short? Or something? Does anyone know how I move on from here? Electrical problems are not good for me or the people I wrench with to have. So y'all's help would be great
Seasoned Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: Traverse City, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Okay. Why was the starter replaced? Like how did it fail? The little wire is the control side of the starter. It controls that solenoid. When the small wire has power it closes the starter solenoid and power comes from the battery, through the solenoid, and drives the starter simply put. The little wire gets power from the battery to the IGN switch to the neutral safety switch to the starter solenoid.
A simple test to see if its a switch problem or short to power is find the IGN switch fuse and remove it. Connect the battery. If the starter still cranks then you have a short to power. Most likely from the big red cable at the starter to the little wire(rubbed through). If it doesn't then you have a switch failure. Let me know what happens when you do that test and we'll go from there
A simple test to see if its a switch problem or short to power is find the IGN switch fuse and remove it. Connect the battery. If the starter still cranks then you have a short to power. Most likely from the big red cable at the starter to the little wire(rubbed through). If it doesn't then you have a switch failure. Let me know what happens when you do that test and we'll go from there
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
Thanks everyone. Zfranklin92, tried disconnecting the plug, it didn't crank. So I have an electrical short? Or something? Does anyone know how I move on from here? Electrical problems are not good for me or the people I wrench with to have. So y'all's help would be great
Good catch Franklin. I thought of that but figured it wasn't very likely.
It failed like the battery was bad. It started turning over slower and slower
for the last few weeks and then it wouldn't turn over this morning.
We had the battery checked and it was fine. The alternator is fine as well.
Kind of like it gradually lost power until it died.
Will
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 523
Likes: 2
From: Manassas, VA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Okay. Why was the starter replaced? Like how did it fail? The little wire is the control side of the starter. It controls that solenoid. When the small wire has power it closes the starter solenoid and power comes from the battery, through the solenoid, and drives the starter simply put. The little wire gets power from the battery to the IGN switch to the neutral safety switch to the starter solenoid. A simple test to see if its a switch problem or short to power is find the IGN switch fuse and remove it. Connect the battery. If the starter still cranks then you have a short to power. Most likely from the big red cable at the starter to the little wire(rubbed through). If it doesn't then you have a switch failure. Let me know what happens when you do that test and we'll go from there
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,170
Likes: 312
From: Australia
Year: 1997 (RHD)
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 ltr
Starter relay should be in PDC...like D mentioned, swap it with another relay in there ( A/C clutch for example) to see if that improves things.


