So a while ago my starter went out and the Jeep wouldn't start. Replaced the starter and it started up right away but with a grinding noise when it fired up. I believed it to be the flywheel and I probably damaged it when I was trying to get it to start with the bad starter.

So I've been driving around for a while on the bad flywheel and it has always started right up with a little grinding until yesterday. Started right up in the morning and when I tried to start it again about 10 minutes later it would crank and just grind. Same thing today would start first thing then not anymore. Bizarre to me that it will only start when it's cold or sat overnight?

I'm installing a new flywheel tonight but I just want to make sure you guys don't have anything to add since I have to drop my crossmember and transmission to change it.

Thanks

 

Mess with the crank sensor at all?

 

Just my .02 here but I find that most of the time when your going through starters like crazy on an xj its because your oil filter adapter is leaking directly on the starter. The kit is like 4 bucks at Chrysler. Definitely make sure your adapter isn't leaking. It's super common. I found out the hard way after going through starter after starter covered in oil.

Also you may need to shim the starter. You never know.

This may or not be your issue bit still...

 

Crank sensor was good.

I indeed have a leak at the elbow and have the o ring kit to replace it, but it's a pain in the *** to get the elbow off haha. I'm just going to have to weld a t60 on the end of a wrench because there is little to no space with the unibody there. This is the first starter I've went through and always had the leak. After dropping a transmission I'm feeling pretty ambitious about a damn elbow adapter.

Ended up just being the flywheel. No cracks just the teeth were fugged up pretty good. I rolled the Jeep and then it started acting that way so I was not surprised.

 

Way ahead of you buddy.. Lol I agree it's always a pain. But I've had to do it on every single jeep I've owned. I'm just used to it by now. Lol

 

Hahaha great minds think alike! Lovin the toolbox!

 

You did what???

 

Haha aaa yeaup. Whoopsie daisys.

Rebuilding it bigger and better though.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/battle-jeep-160299/