Sitting in the theater parking lot and the Jeep won't turn over at all. I hear the fuel pump cycle on when I set the ignition to Run, all dash lights appear normal. No signs of anything wrong When ignition depressed, there is an audible click, but other than that there's silence.


Any ideas?

 

any click from starter? Could be battery voltage low such that it will not activate the starter. Try turning on the headlights and see if they look full brightness. Battery connection and cables would be an easy first place to check. Just be careful not to short the positive post to chassis, etc and causing a spark/battery explosion.

 

There is a single click when pressing ignition. Will click again a few seconds after attempting. Lights look fine. Battery connections are tight. No visible corrosion.

 

Not familiar with the starter on the Jeep. On some cars if the starter solenoid is going bad a couple of sharp raps on the solenoid with a wrench, screwdriver, etc can get it to engage the starter. the solenoid may look like a smaller round item on the side of the starter.

 

just crawled under my 2000 with 4.0. The starter is just rearward of the oil filter. The solenoid is located on the side of the starter, outboard or close to the frame rail. There is an electrical connection there and a small screw. bad connection there or the battery ground connection could be a possible cause

 

The couple of clicks makes me think it might be a battery issue or electrical connection issue to the starter or battery negative cable to the main chassis ground point. Loosening, cleaning and reattaching related wires would be a nice fix if that were it. Of course that does not help you get home at the moment.

 

Other thoughts: Try jiggling the key/ignition switch when in the start position also just in case. Not sure about ignition interlock on yours. Verify transmission selector is in Park. Try giggling the steering wheel and the transmission selector while key is in start position.

 

Jiggled everything, nothing worked. For no reason at all, it started & got us home. Tried to start it...nothing.

 

Whatever it is i am pretty certain a wire is connected to it. Happy hunting.

 

That sounds like yet another neutral safety switch malfunction. Try starting it in neutral next time to verify.

 

No, I'm betting there is a thin film of corrosion on the + battery post that won't carry the load of the starter. Clean everything up good. Look for corrosion inside the molded battery cable end. If the 2011 is the same as my 2000, there are 2 wires coming out of that clamp. One is just for the starter and one is for everything else.

 

Hum. Yeah the 'audible click' does smack of a bad connection. NSS you wouldn't hear anything.

 

I can feel the click in the shifter.

 

For kicks, did you try to start it in N??

 

Yes.

Dealer says it's the starter & quoted $631 to fix it. Chose to have it towed back home where I'll attepmt to do it for about $130, IF I can get it done. They're making it more & more difficult to do your own work.