I have a '96 Jeep Cherokee Sport with the 4.0L inline 6-cylinder engine.

About two weeks ago, I was getting ready to drive to work and upon trying to start my Jeep up, it just wouldn't do anything. I assumed it was the battery, but because I was not financially capable of buying a new battery up until now, I just got rides to work and let it sit for two weeks.

Yesterday I took my old battery to AutoZone and had them test it. They told me it would not hold a charge (which I already figured) and I ended up buying a new battery. Swapped it in, still doing the same thing.

When I first put the key into the ignition switch and turn it to "on," all the lights come on, the dash panel works, the buzzer works, the radio comes on and the "Check Engine," "GEN," and seatbelt lights engage. As soon as I try to crank the engine, all the lights go out, the buzzer stops and the radio turns off, as well as the dash lights. For about a second or two, no sound is made from the engine, and then I hear a loud repetitive clicking noise. When I let go of the key, everything comes right back on.

I checked out the cables, the negative one looks fine but the positive cable had a lot of corrosion built up on it. I cleaned the clamp part of the cable with a mixture of baking soda and water, and then put some kind of electrical goop on the cable and the battery post (some kind of corrosion inhibitor). The cable still looks pretty bad though--I'll try to get a shot of it later if I can.

I'm guessing that the problem is still the positive battery cable, but I was wondering if anyone else had an opinion on what it might be. If it is the positive cable after all, how hard is it to replace myself? Anyone that can share some tips on this problem would be greatly appreciated.

 

Yes you still have a bad connection that noise is usually associated with a bad battery...... try replacing your b+ lead and see what happens
Good luck!

 

Ok guys, I'm a little confused. I went out to change the positive cable today and I ran into a little trouble.

The positive cable on my Cherokee combines at the bottom with another cable that is completely seperate from the positive cable itself. They come together with a metal "plate" of sorts that screws into the starter. The plate keeps me from seperating the two cables since they are both attached to it.

I've attached some pics so you guys can help me figure this out. The greens circles I drew onto the picture are the cable I am referring to. I'm not sure what to do. PLEASE HELP!!

 

BUMP! Doesn't anyone have any information on this? Is this problem really this simple yet I'm still overlooking something?

 

Check the connections on the starter. If they are OK, hit the starter's MAIN BODY with a hammer. Don't swing a sledge hammer at it, just some good raps to knock it a bit. Then try again.

The clicking is either a poor connection (since the battery is good) or your starter has seized.

 

As for that other wire, its an accessory wire. Trace it and you'll find what it leads to. My guess would be a fuse box or a large piece of electrical equipment.

 

I got some more pictures from the bottom end of the cable (where it connects to the starter) to clarify what I'm talking about.

 

Looks like those go to nothing. If its attached to the positive, that could be your short to ground. Or it could hook up to your starter if nothing is attached to that.

 

No, that "plate" thing was attached to the starter to begin with. All the pictures were taken after I had disconnected both ends of both cables. Both of them are obviously needed... otherwise why would they be on there?

 

bump. The wire is green with a black stripe through it. It goes from the starter solenoid to the a clip-on connector that leads into the wiring harness next to the power box.

Does anyone know what this wire is for or what it does?!!