Back when I was working at the airport, we had an Isuzu box truck that always had an issue with starting. The wire that provided power to the starter and solenoid was always corroding over because Port Authority loved using salt. It had the same symptoms you're experiencing. Hitting it wouldn't do anything because it wasn't the brushes inside the starter itself that were bad. I would always have to crawl under there, disconnect the wires, clean the posts, then clean the wire terminals. Even with grease coating, the salt always got to it, and I would have to do the same thing over within 3 months. Worst time I ever had to do it was when it was blizzarding and it died right over a nice big puddle of water and I had to lay in that water while it snowed at night.

 

Safer that way. If I was stuck I might go under there, energize the sol, and smack it. I only got run over once. Another story.

The solenoid is "clacking", and the small wire there shows voltage when you turn the key? Also the starter has power? Starters do go. Actually I've lost count, on my third at least.

Rare but happens, not grounding. Set it on 200 ohms and see you have less than one..or two between the starter body and the block. Rare! I've seen it posted here and had a bolted in alternator actually not making ground. OK forget that..just rambling.......(but true)


Crimson, besides the brushes in their holders, the plate in the solenoid might also connect with the whack!

 

I jumped the posts on the starter and heard clicking, FINALLY. Does this mean the solenoid is bad and I need to replace the starter?

 

If it goes if you wack it it's not the battery or cables. You CAN try just smacking it, then go turn the key. Works sometimes if you don't have help.

Is the click different, louder when you jumped it, as opposed to turning the key?

 

If you're sure you don't have any other corrosion problems, I would.

 

All fixed. Turns out it was a bad solenoid, and the testing machines at multiple parts stores don't check it. They only test the starter motor which was fine. Replaced the starter so she's up and running.

Thanks DFlinstone for the helpful advice along the way! And thank you again BimmerJeeper for the No Start Checklist. It narrowed down all the possibilities to just the solenoid.

 

And the crowd cheers! Good job.

Still wish you could have smacked it!

 

Which step in this list made you know it was the solenoid?
Was it #5 where you knew power wasn't getting to the starter?
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/no...cklist-155216/