Still won't start

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Aug 4, 2010 | 11:50 AM

ahochadel

Thread Starter

Newbie

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 1

Likes: 0

From: Atlanta, GA

Year: 1997

Model: Cherokee

Still won't start

Hi, this is my first post.

Ok, so I just bought a '97 cherokee sport 2wd 4.0. When we bought it the starter was going out and would take a few seconds for it to start. The other day we were getting emissions tested, the guy came back in and said it passed, but it wouldn't start. When we tried to crank it their was 1 click and all the power would go out. After trying to start it, if you wiggle the positive power cable, all the lights would come back on. We replaced the battery but it still wouldn't start so we had to have it towed home. we replaced the starter and it cranked up so problems. I drove it for about 3 days before it wouldn't start again. we took off the connections and saw that the started was only getting 1.4 volts. but reconnected everything and it started right back up. last night we recut the battery wires to make sure they're getting good connections and it still started fine. This morning I went to start it and nothing. I put in another battery cable and it still won't start, it still just kills the power.

Help?

Aug 4, 2010 | 12:00 PM

Crazy4x4Chick

Junior Member

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 93

Likes: 0

From: Visalia, CA

Year: 1993

Model: Cherokee

Engine: I6 4.0 High Output - Bored +20 Out

Might not be it, but have you checked the alternator?

Aug 4, 2010 | 12:11 PM

XJ Stryker

CF Veteran

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 7,661

Likes: 15

From: Smiths Station, Al

Year: 87

Model: Wagoneer

Engine: 4.0 I6

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahochadel

Hi, this is my first post. Should have searched lol newb.

Ok, so I just bought a '97 cherokee sport 2wd 4.0 Nice Choice

When we bought it the starter was going out and would take a few seconds for it to start. Long Cranks is very common in a XJ

The other day we were getting emissions tested, the guy came back in and said it passed, prolly didn't even check it lol but it wouldn't start.

When we tried to crank it their was 1 click and all the power would go out.
At this point it sounds like a bad ground

After trying to start it, if you wiggle the positive power cable, all the lights would come back on. Still sounds like a bad ground or other connection

We replaced the battery but it still wouldn't start so we had to have it towed home. Did ya atleast load test if for free at Autozone first

we replaced the starter and it cranked up so problems.

Autozone will test a starter for free too

I drove it for about 3 days before it wouldn't start again. we took off the connections and saw that the starter was only getting 1.4 volts. You have to check for voltage while cranking

but reconnected everything and it started right back up. last night we recut the battery wires to make sure they're getting good connections and it still started fine.

This morning I went to start it and nothing. I put in another battery cable and it still won't start, it still just kills the power.

Help?

Would love for you to take some pictures of what you are cheking.

Enough with the red. I had some issues with my starter also and decided the best way to deal with it was to wire in a switch that would jump the starter like when you use a screwdriver. There is a lil wire that runs to the starter and I have not traced it but I am convinced that it is my problem. I tried changing out the ignition switch under the dash since I thought that may have been it. I still have not fixed it but when I get a no start I put my key in the run position then hit my starter switch and I am on my way. Works really well.