Hi guys,

Thanks in advance.

So my Jeep won't start. The starter is making a single click then nothing. I have put a new battery in, have cleaned the connections on the battery and the starter as well as the battery ground. Have also tried hitting the starter with a hammer.

Anyone got any recommendations? I'm guessing I need to check with a voltmeter (which I don't have)?

Bad time of year for a breakdown, I'm struggling to find a mechanic who is open!

Cheers,

Matt.

 

When you hear the click, do the dash lights dim?

 

^^^ this.

Also, hitting the starter with a hammer is more effective if you have one person turning the key to the start position and another tapping the body of the starter.

 

Hey guys, thanks for responses. Yes the lights dim when I hear the click and I did have someone turning the key as I tapped the starter. Cheers. Matt.

 

Ok as an update, I just went out to check the starter with the meter... and of course when my mate went to start the car it started. But of course it then wouldn't start again. So I checked the starter and am getting 12.5V through the positive and just over 10V through the ignition switch connection. Any ideas? I am guessing I need to take the starter out and clean it up.

 

A recent intermittent starting issue on my ‘96 seemed at first to be a weak battery, but ultimately was the fault of a bad starter, or at least a bad solenoid in the starter. I would have liked to have fixed the starter, but this is my daily driver (no time to dick with it) and a new starter was only $70. They probably cost more there though. Very easy job to replace.

Cheers!

 

Is the starter coated in engine oil?

 

Yep... But what you are probably going to find is that the copper contact washer and contacts in the solenoid are shot. Which means the brushes are probably about gone too. You could buy just a solenoid and solder in new brushes, but for just a little more you can have a whole new starter.

 

As Cruiser inquired, is the starter covered in engine oil?

If you pull the starter, not too bad for access on the XJ, then hit it direct right there on the floor with some jumper cables to see if it spins up.