More and more, until no more today: when I turn the key it almost sounds as if my battery is low. I'll get a slow long crank, and then it fires right up. That has progressed until now; I turn the key and it sound like a long DRY crank and then nothing.

Battery has PLENTY of juice.....

Any help would be appreciated.

I'm hoping it's just a 12 yr old starter going bad, but it just sounds terrible....

 

Clean the starters terminals, mine was just because they were corroded.

 

my 2001 sport is doing the exact same thing...i will be checking all the terminals and connections tonight and see icf that helps.

i am a noob to the site and already love it! wish i would have found it 4 XJ's ago. LOL

thanks

 

Did you have the battery and alternator tested?

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Well if he is getting the stuff tested he doesn't think it could be, he might as well get the starter tested too

 

So true...I'm just wondering because slower and slower start sounds like lower and lower power...but what the hell. Get it all checked out when it's free. But I guess he can't start it to get there, so that would be the crux of the issue??

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Lol I guess I missed that it has totally stopped. A few good taps to the starter may do the trick, if that is the problem. A jump should get it going if it is the battery. Are there any tricks if an alternator is the problem, to get it started?

 

I know of none other than a jump start. If it jumps though, I think it would be problem solved? A few good taps may do the trick too is it's the starter. I may be wrong but it really sounds like the battery. Usually when the starter goes it starts clicking and not starting, or just not doing anything. Not going slower.

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autozone tested my battery and said it was good. tested the alternator and told me failed. general rule of thumb, i pulled the battery cable while the jeep was running and it kept running smooth so i ruled out alternator problem. i ended up cleaning the starter connections and battery cables and replaced my battery post terminals and it cranks and starts as good as new. hopefully yours will too!
best of luck!

 

Thanks for all the ideas. Tried jumping it and that changed nothing. Left the cables on for a few just to make sure it wasn't a voltage issue; changed nothing. Battery is def good. I just smacked it a few times and it made it further than it has in the last time.... Plan for now is, I'm going to pull the started and take it in for testing.

Thanks again for all of your posts. Much appreciated.

Side note: I am fab-ing and welding up some homebrew disco's today. I'll try and do a write up or at least post pics.