Hi, everyone. This is an interesting path I have walked. My 00 4.0 ran fine even with a slow coolant loss covered in some of my other threads. Suddenly, though, I can't seem to get the engine to turn over.

Initially I had a slow, weak startup, like a feeble hiccup. This happened 8-10 times over the course of a few weeks (I don't drive often). It always started though. I figured it was the battery because my volt gauge read more like 6-10 rather than 14, but it still had enough to turn over and start up. Last week it failed to start up completely though, I turned the key and it gave a very weak, sludgy effort, and failed. Repeatedly. I didn't have a ton of time to investigate, but this weekend I've done some exploring on cherokeeforum and elsewhere to figure out what to do. I started by starting in neutral, no bueno. Then I cleaned off all the ground connections I could easily reach, basically all but the one behind the dipstick. Nothing there either, same weak half-crank. I then decided to clean the positive connection to the starter motor, and now I just get a click.

Did I mess something up by cleaning that connection? Is the starter dead? Did I ruin the connection somehow by cleaning it, or perhaps didn't tighten the bolt enough? What do you do if your car is dead in your driveway and you don't know the issue?

I am planning on taking time this week to work through the steps on this thread: https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/no...cklist-155216/

But I am not terribly tech savvy. I don't particularly want to give up on the vehicle but god damn.

 

Have you had your battery and alternator tested FOR FREE at Autozone?

If not, start there.

 

If you've been doing all these start attempts without charging the battery then it is very likely run down. Sounds like it was border line already from what you've said.

But another direction this could go... Where is the coolant going? If it were slowly leaking into the inside of the engine while parked (not likely) then it could fill a cylinder preventing it from moving. I hope you are going to say that the coolant makes a little puddle on the ground. If it is hydro locked, then you take out the spark plugs and crank it through that way. Coolant will shoot out of the plug hole, so don't have anything near there that you are unwilling to destroy.

 

10.1.1
Battery was found to be fine at Autozone, no issues there, and the alternator was given the go-ahead by AAA when my original battery went bad two summers ago. Should I see if I can get AAA to jump it and move it? I guess I could try that this afternoon.

 

Battery read 12v and the starter with the key in reads 12v, so I guess I'm waiting for a buddy and we'll try tapping the starter. I am reading that replacing the starter isn't awful, just be mindful of when it drops because it can be quite heavy, is this correct?

 

Really? You are going by a test done TWO YEARS ago????

I'm done.

 

This is helpful, thank you! I'm trying to make sure I am doing the right thing and have stated that I'm not great at this stuff, so your attitude is appreciated. I hope dunking on me pays off for you somehow.

 

What's the condition of the battery cables? After 20 years it's not unusual for the battery cables to be rotten inside and the connectors to be badly corroded. This causes poor charging, and weak cranking. Do the interior lights cut when you try to crank? If they do, that points more towards a bad battery or connections. If just nothing happens at all, that might be a bad starter. If you have an oil leak and are getting oil all over the starter that can make them go south. If you have a voltmeter, I would measure the voltage at the battery and at the starter while someone tries to crank it.

 

If you are going to ignore the advice you are given, not many people are going to continue to donate their time and energy to give you that advice. It's really not hard to figure out.

 

On the plus side, Taxi deserves credit for doing some research, looking through relevant threads, and trying some of the suggested fixes before posting. He even followed the advice in your sig to start checking grounds. Too many posters don't bother and post something barely intelligible and then get upset when nobody wants to decipher the run-on mess or they never come back.

 

Well, at this point we know the battery is good. If you are on budget you don't want to be throwing parts at it.
I would suggest pulling the starter and have it tested at a parts store.
If the starter is bad, then replace it or rebuild it yourself. Watch videos on that, there is a bunch of them.
Also you may want to pull and replace your spark plugs. Do this by pulling one spark plug wire, replace the spark plug and reattach the wire. This way you don't mess up your firing order.
Inspect your old plugs and compare them to pictures on the internet to what they should look like.
As far as the alternator, as long as your have a strong battery the Jeep should start, so worry about that later. And btw, my experience is that the alternator is either good or it is bad. They don't give any warning.
Hope this helps

 

Sorry, just getting over my exasperation. Thanks for the additional comments.

Interior lights don't cut out when I crank, and neither do headlights. I am sure the battery is good, and I went through all my connections with steel wool and a brass brush.

I am not sure how comfortable I am pulling the starter because A) I don't want to screw anything up somehow and B) I don't have stands, so I am limited with how much space I physically have under the Jeep (not lifted or anything, I'm just a big guy and a little claustrophobic). I can try this, I guess- wouldn't be to test but rather to replace, see below.

I attempted to start on Sunday with a friend turning the key and me tapping the solenoid on the starter, and it chunked over once and then gave out a puff of smoke and a burning rubber odor. Not sure what that could be but at this point I'm probably calling a tow truck and having it taken to my shop. I haven't looked up these particular symptoms yet, but I unsubbed from this thread and am finally returning, so I will look around the internet before I do anything at all.10.1.3

 

That was a pretty quick search, it looks cooked. It seems like pulling the starter and swapping in a new one isn't a difficult thing to do by yourself, but again, I have limited space and want to be certain I am doing the right thing.