KD3NE

PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY AS I HAVE DONE MY BEST TO DESCRIBE ALL THAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IF SOMETHING I HAVE WRITTEN DOES NOT MAKE SENSE....ASK ME ABOUT IT.


THANKS !!!!!!!!!


Ok so I was not with the vehicle when this happened, but this is what I was told ....

1.) Jeep running at idle, in parking space.
2.) Sound from engine like starter trying to engage.
3.) A little smoke from starter switch.
4.) Engine dies ...... no power to anything via switch. ( horn/lights work)

Now I arrive on scene and begin to investigate.

1) 60A Ignition System Fuse BLOWN Erring on the side on the side of caution I put in a 30A just to 'test' the circuit.

2.) Turn key on and things come to life. CHECK ENGINE light - NORMAL - Gauges indicate normal ( Fuel / Battery ).

3.) So now I decide to attempt to 'crank'. Nothing, I hear arcing in the ignition switch and then DEAD. 30A Fuse BLOWN

4.) Now I put in a 40A fuse and try things again. Results are the same.


My thoughts are ..... Ignition Switch Failure or Starter Failure in some way.

I want to try disconnecting the starter, and trying again. My thinking is if the fuse doe not blow, then suspect starter. Of course if the fuse does blow, another ignition switch????

NOTE: This switch has been mildly problematic in the past. Sometimes you had to 'wiggle' the key with vehicle running to get 'accessories' to power up.

As it is now 'accessories' are dead with switch on, however I I turn the switch all the way counterclockwise the radio and such some on.

QUESTIONS:

Am I on the right path???

Am I missing something???

freegdr

Smoke from switch....I would deff replace it. 60 amp might be a alternator fuse. Maybe disconnect it and see what happens.

BlueRidgeMark

Sounds like a run-on problem. If there was smoke from the switch, replace it. Even if it was not the original cause of the problem, it's a problem now.

I don't have the diagram for your starter circuit, and I have not messed with mine, so this is guesswork, but there is almost certainly a starter relay in there somewhere. If so, it's possible that it stuck, and is the real source of your problem.


BTW, excellent job of describing your problem and the steps you took!

And kudos for testing with a smaller fuse, instead of a bigger one, like idiots do!

CCKen

KD3NE,


The XJ body Cherokee does not have a 60 Amp fuse in the PDC.


You may want to repost your thread in the Grand Cherokee forum.

KD3NE

The 60 AMP fuse that is blowing is in the Fuse Box under the hood, behind the battery.

According to the box cover it is the ............

60A IGN. SYST.


For more clarification it is the 6th fuse back in the box.

No mistake here .... I am working on a 1995 XJ body Cherokee.

If I can, I will post PICS later.


THANKS

KD3NE

ONE MORE CLARIFICATION:

IGNITION SWITCH ----

Just to be clear I am talking about the switch that the ignition key goes in to.

Not any other switch ... at this time.

KD3NE

When you say 'run on' problem, I assume you mean the starter fails to disengage after the motor starts .... is that correct.

My son said there was no indication of that, he said it started norm nay and ran for about 20 minutes or so ..... but who knows, I was not there.


I am an Electronics Tech so starting with a smaller fuse and working up just makes sense .... to me!

CCKen

95 starter circuit:



.

freegdr

After replacing smoked switch . Id disconnect starter see if it stops. Seeing it pops when you attempt to start and not when its just in run position.

CCKen

I think pulling the starter relay would be easier that dicking around with disconnecting the starter. At least a sissy like me thinks so.

freegdr

True starters easier to find...lol...and if it stills blow then suspect relay.

CCKen

Starter relay location for beginners...


(PDC Lid)

KD3NE

Yeah .... looking at the schematic, that/s my plan.

Install new switch.
Turn to RUN position to test that all works as it should.
If that test passes, and I fell it will .... I will commence disconnecting.

Got a donor switch/lock/keys today from a friend to use for testing.

Looking at the schematic, I printed it out from the FSM .... but thanks for the image, just it was too small on the printer.

Gonna pull the relay .... they turn switch to START and see what happens!


Looks to me like START sends 12VDC to Pin 26 of the Engine Starter Relay.

If I pull the relay, turn key to START and it blows the fuse ..... at least I know where to look for the short .... I guess.

Looking again at the schematic .....

Fuse 6 ( 60 Amp ) feeds the switch ... switch feeds the relay.

Fuse 7 ( 40 Amp ) Feeds pin 27 of the relay, then on to the starter.

If the starter itself was bad, would that not blow Fuse 7 as well ????

Not sure ......I will go and check Fuse 7, but I believe it was good.



.....

KD3NE

Fuse 7 looks to be intact ..... but only visual test.

Turned switch to RUN to ' see what would happen '.

CHECK ENGINE like came on as expected ..... gauges came on .... Fuel and Battery normal.

HOWEVER at this point I cannot get accessories ( like RADIO ) to come on with switch in RUN.

Switch in ACC position and things come on .... like RADIO

CCKen

Check the fuses in the fuse block under the driver's side dash.


Look for "ACC" and/or "ACCY" marked fuses.


I think the IOD fuse in this model year is fuse #9. Check it as well.