Aldakoopa

My starter would turn, but it doesn't engage to the flywheel to crank the engine. I bought another starter, and it does the same thing. Is the starter I bought bad as well, or is there another problem?

91 limited owner

Take a set of jumper cables, (While the starter is out.) If the starter spins & bendix gear spins to the end of the shaft. It's good. But you have other problems. Like flywheel teeth gone. I had I '94 Blazer that used to eat flywheels. Every couple of years. It is also possible to get a bad starter. JMO!

Bustedback

Check out the battery and connections, sounds like you have a voltage drop someplace.

bobvalli

Maybe there's a couple teeth missing off the flywheel. You could try to turn the engine manually (maybe from the harmonic balancer bolt) a little and see if it engages then.

I had an old Ford that had this problem. A real PITA as it always happened when I was stopped in the worst places (like in a ghetto parking lot in the middle of a downpour). As the sea captain said.......ah, that'll replace the whale in me nightmares.

Just a thought

-bob-

Aldakoopa

That would make sense, but there was no visibly missing teeth through the hole where the starter goes. Unless they're all worn down just enough to cause this issue, but I won't completely disregard this theory, but I'm going to try replacing the battery terminals and wires first, as somebody mentioned a voltage drop. Replacing the flywheel will be my last resort, and for good reason.

Aldakoopa

How can I turn the crankshaft by hand?

Turbo X_J

Use a large screwdriver to "pry" (move) the flywheel, or turn the balancer bolt.

Aldakoopa

Well, I don't feel like removing the starter again, so is the balancer bolt on the front of the crank?

OverlandZJ

Remove the spark plugs if your gonna turn it over by the harmonic balancer bolt.. you can strip the threads and then you need a crankshaft.

Also make sure it's blocked and in neutral.

Aldakoopa

Thank you. Should I remove the belt as well?

OverlandZJ

No, just the plugs so you have no compression and it'll rotate easily.

Aldakoopa

Well, it's turning the crankshaft now, and appears as if now I need a new belt, and fuel pump and/or CPS. Which I don't look forward to either of the last two. The last time this thing ran was over a year ago, and it was overheating back then. Now that I've gotten started on fixing it, there's a whole line of troubles. But, if it's anything like my first Jeep, after I get all the kinks worked out it will last me a long, long time.

freegdr

take a test light and test to see if the light lights when some bodt turns the key to start

freegdr

test the little wire when the key is turned to start

freegdr

the fuel in the tank is no good after 3 years never gonna start