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only starts by jumping starter solenoid

1.9K views 10 replies 7 participants last post by  Elcoman  
#1 · (Edited)
Hey guys,

I've been having an issue with my jeep for some time, but havn't looked at it or drove it much since i bought the trans am, but now its winter, and im going to need something half decent to drive in the snow so i need to fix this.

my issue is, when i turn the key sometimes i get a click, but 95% of the time i get nothing like a dead battery. I have power to everything.

Now when i jump the solenoid on the starter with the key in the on position, it fires right up.
at first i thought it was a neutral safety switch, and it helped for a short time, but had no start again. so i replaced the starter and it worked for about a thousand miles. then no start again, so i replaced the starter again (remans with life time warrantee).

i am lost as to what it could be.
the only thing i did not try was a new ignition switch

vehicle is a 96 ZJ grand cherokee with 4.0 I6.

what should i check, or what are you ideas?

thanks.


Aaron
 
#5 ·
Had similar experience with my Pathfinder. Trouble was "start" relay that was mounted on left inner fender. It supplies the voltage to the "S" terminal on the solenoid. Leave to engineers to introduce yet another point of failure into a circuit. The online 'stores' shows that your's has one too...... I have no idea where its located on your Jeep though.

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList.aspx?parttype=421&ptset=A&searchfor=Starter+Relay
 
#7 ·
starter relay is under hood.
i swapped it with another i know is good, and didnt change anything.

im going to test the small wire to the starter with a test light this weekend to see if i get signal. if not, then im going to trace wires and see if its the ignition switch.. already have to replace the tumbler 3 years ago..

it does have 212k miles on it too.
thanks guys


aaron
 
#9 ·
its funny you bring that up. i always preach that to everyone. check grounds, check grounds.
well, thats the only thing i didnt check. haha.

also it pretty much started after i put another trans in it. so i bet the ground issue is the biggest one.

some times it starts after it is jumped, others it doesnt.


aaron