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whats wrong with my jeep???

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Old Oct 18, 2010 | 08:48 AM
  #1  
be539's Avatar
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From: south texas
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: V8
Angry whats wrong with my jeep???

ok i have a 1997 jeep grand cherokee 8 cylinder and it wont start or even turn over, ive checked the batery cables and cleaned them my battery and alternator are both good and ive tried hitting the starter and nothing, i also tried starting in nutruel and it still wont start.
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Old Oct 18, 2010 | 09:14 AM
  #2  
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From: Texas
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L - straight 6
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be539, do you have lights or any power at all? Any clicking noise from the starter? Did you have your battery/alternator tested?
My dodge did this but I had power and clicking noise. Turned out to be a bad cell in my battery so got a new battery(still under warranty) and no problems since.
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Old Oct 18, 2010 | 09:16 AM
  #3  
be539's Avatar
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From: south texas
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: V8
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yeah my lights and everything are on and i here the clicking sound, i had my battery and alternator checked at autozone
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Old Oct 18, 2010 | 09:30 AM
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From: Texas
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L - straight 6
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Turn your wipers on high and if they are moving a lot slower than normal, I would say it's your battery. Not enough power getting to the starter to get your jeep started. Maybe get a 2nd opinion on your battery.
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Old Oct 18, 2010 | 10:34 AM
  #5  
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From: gorham maine
Year: 2010
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
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check ur ignition or nuetral safety switch my cherokee did same thing something u can get to start in nuetral wiggling the shifter
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Old Oct 18, 2010 | 10:48 AM
  #6  
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From: Bristol,Pa
Year: 94
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
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Had the same symptoms in wife's V8 ZJ recently. Tapped starter and it stared.. replaced it and no more trouble.

Those V8 starters anr a bit expensive.
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Old Oct 18, 2010 | 10:54 AM
  #7  
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From: Oroville, CA
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter
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How old is the battery? If it is older than three years, you look into replacing it.
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Old Oct 18, 2010 | 11:51 AM
  #8  
be539's Avatar
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From: south texas
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: V8
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well i took the starter off and got it tested, it failed the first time and passed the next two times, there was alot of oil on it, so maybe an oil leak
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Old Oct 18, 2010 | 12:30 PM
  #9  
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From: Monroe, NC
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L 242 High-Output I6
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i had this problem with my XJ. luckily my friend is a mechanic, it turned out to be the crankshaft sensor. not sure if that's the case with you but it's worth a shot. I spent 100 bucks on electronics before he told me that. i changed spark plugs, cap, ignition, starter, everything i could! still not starting. he turned the key, heard some noise and automatically knew what it was. so you might could try putting in a new crankshaft sensor. if not, then i don't know what else to tell you boss.
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Old Oct 18, 2010 | 12:46 PM
  #10  
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Did you really check the cables?

This means pulling them out of the heat wrap and checking them all the way down.

On many different types of vehicles I have seen the cables look good up top and below by the starter but pretty eaten up in the middle.

If the cables are good and you said you checked the starter clean the oil off and see what you get. If it starts well cover the connections and find that oil leak.
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Old Oct 18, 2010 | 02:55 PM
  #11  
be539's Avatar
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From: south texas
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: V8
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ok i replaced the starter and the starter relay and now it works, thanks for the help
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Old Oct 18, 2010 | 06:36 PM
  #12  
retreaded jeeper's Avatar
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From: milwaukee wi.
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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I have a 93zj and had uozone check my batt. they said it was good, being a retired mech. I replaced it anyway and cured y problem 7 mo. ago still no prob
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