Starter won't disengage until I shift gears
10-16-2011, 09:52 PM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Starter won't disengage until I shift gears
hey all, just purchased a 97 XJ Cherokee a few days ago. High miles (184,000) but the engine runs smooth and it drives well, the automatic transmission seems OK while driving, seems to shift smoothly.......
My problem just started today. When I start the vehicle the starter motor continues to spin and won't disengage until I shift gears. I can start the vehicle in "park" and shift to any gear to get the starter to disengage, or I can start in "neutral" and shift to any gear to get the starter to disengage. I have already replaced the starter but that didn't solve the problem.
Some folks that I have talked to seem to think I might have a warped or cracked flex plate that is binding on the starter pinion gear and preventing it from disengaging until I shift gears which jars things loose and allows the pinion gear to retract back into the starter.....
Anyone else have any thoughts or similar experience?
Thanks!
My problem just started today. When I start the vehicle the starter motor continues to spin and won't disengage until I shift gears. I can start the vehicle in "park" and shift to any gear to get the starter to disengage, or I can start in "neutral" and shift to any gear to get the starter to disengage. I have already replaced the starter but that didn't solve the problem.
Some folks that I have talked to seem to think I might have a warped or cracked flex plate that is binding on the starter pinion gear and preventing it from disengaging until I shift gears which jars things loose and allows the pinion gear to retract back into the starter.....
Anyone else have any thoughts or similar experience?
Thanks!
10-16-2011, 10:32 PM
#2
CF Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Nor-Cal Coast
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes
on
17 Posts
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
A thought just nutty enough I don't want to post it and confuse your thread. What if it's electronic? Could the relay/start circuit be keeping it engaged until you kill that via the Neutral Shifty switch by putting it in gear? If you put a meter or test light on your solenoid wire you could see if it's somehow getting power. OK, nevermind, ignore that! Nutty Idea. 
10-16-2011, 11:57 PM
#3
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Man, you are right on the money......as suggested I checked the switch on the starter solenoid and sure enough it had power even after releasing the key from the start position......
I tracked it back to the Car Alarm.......somehow the starter kill portion of the alarm was feeding power to the solenoid switch.........I bypassed the starter kill relay and now all is working correctly.......
Still doesn't make any sense to me why shifting gears would do anything to affect the Car Alarm, but I can figure the alarm stuff out later.......
I'm good to go.......Thank you!
I tracked it back to the Car Alarm.......somehow the starter kill portion of the alarm was feeding power to the solenoid switch.........I bypassed the starter kill relay and now all is working correctly.......
Still doesn't make any sense to me why shifting gears would do anything to affect the Car Alarm, but I can figure the alarm stuff out later.......
I'm good to go.......Thank you!
10-17-2011, 12:28 AM
#5
CF Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Nor-Cal Coast
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes
on
17 Posts
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
The NSS grounds the starter relay. When you put it in gear the relay has no ground and does nothing. 
And your welcome! Can I steal your Jeep now?
And your welcome! Can I steal your Jeep now?
Last edited by DFlintstone; 10-17-2011 at 12:34 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Psiegrist1
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
34
03-17-2022 02:15 PM
aroundincircles
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
5
10-06-2015 11:12 AM
Vegas101
Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here!
0
09-04-2015 11:52 PM
Trevordickya
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
4
09-04-2015 03:28 AM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
