No crank

Tiny
JBOOM87
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 JEEP WRANGLER TJ
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 104,000 MILES
It all started a couple weeks ago when I turned the key to start it and nothing happened. No noise or anything. I tried again and it started up. It was such a small thing that I got home, got busy, and forgot all about it. Took it to Home Depot the next day and when I went to leave it wouldn't start. No power to radio or anything either. Dad jumped me and we got it home. After some YouTube and Jeep forum diagnosis I replaced the starter. Started up and I took it to small group that night. On my way home the 'check gauges' light came on and I noticed my battery gauge was pegged at 19v. I've cleaned terminals, had the battery/alternator tested and they both passed. On my drive to test those (20 miles round-trip) the battery read normal at all times. A friend suggested the ignition switch, and after finding a YouTube video on that, it seemed like a likely solution. So I replaced the switch and the ignition switch actuator pin. Went to start it and nothing happened. No power. When I pull the positive cable and reconnect I get power back, but when I turn the key I get one click and then the power cuts off. I've looked at all my wiring and everything seems tight in all directions. I've tried starting in neutral and still get the same results. Based on another friend's suggestion, I've done a voltage drop test and checked the fusible link, all checked okay. This is all my first attempt at being my own mechanic beyond an oil change, so when I say that I've checked some of these things, there's a chance I missed something that a more knowledgeable person would have seen, or simply did it wrong. With it powering back up after I play with the connection it makes me feel like it could be there. But I'm just trying to be smart before spending more money.
Friday, July 3rd, 2020 AT 11:56 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
I'm guessing it's a simple battery connection possibility?

Check both ends of each battery cable for tightness and no corrosion.

Look at some of "my pics" in this link:

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/1996-chevrolet-tahoe-wont-start-sounds-dead-battery-jumpbox-get-same-reults

Here's a guide from our "Repair Guides" (top right of our pages):

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Update?

The Medic
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Friday, July 3rd, 2020 AT 3:25 PM
Tiny
JBOOM87
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Well, so far that has worked. Started right up, took 9t for a 10 minute drive and the battery read normal the whole time. Upon inspection I do believe there are some broken wires in the positive terminal. Could that be the reason for intermittent issues? Should I try a terminal replacement?
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Saturday, July 4th, 2020 AT 7:15 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
I always over-maintain my Jeeps.

If something just don't seem right, I fix or replace it (that is, within reason. I may think about it a little more if I might have to dig real deep in my wallet).

Nothing like being stranded out of town, on the wrong side of town, in the dark after saving that $10.00!

Never mutter the "I should've" statement while in that kind of situation around her. Just play it off as it were a new sudden occurrence. She will be so much easier to deal with!

Glad things are better, please update us in a few days, we like to know that everything stays better!

The Medic
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Saturday, July 4th, 2020 AT 1:51 PM
Tiny
JBOOM87
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Well, I changed out the connections and everything ran well for about a week. Last night I was getting ready to leave work and it clicked once, but no start, and no continuous clicking. Unlike before, I did maintain power throughout the vehicle instead of losing the power with the key turn. I finally wiggled enough, or tightened enough, or prayed enough that it started and I got home (never have had any troubles losing power during a drive). I've got a fellow Jeep buddy coming by tomorrow night to look it over for me. I did have some corrosion in one of my positive cables (which I cleaned before installing in the new connection), but a neighbor of mine said anytime he's had corrosion in a cable (he collects old tractors) it almost, if not always runs through the whole cable and you just gotta replace it instead of cutting off the end.
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 AT 7:10 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
Sounds like you are onto something!

Keep us posted.

The Medic
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Wednesday, July 15th, 2020 AT 6:46 PM
Tiny
JBOOM87
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Well, after a proper voltage drop test (i.E. 2nd set of hands) I discovered that the positive cable running from the battery to the starter was indeed bad and where I was losing volts. A quick trip to the store and $10.00 later and she's running just fine! Thanks for all the input! Now for just a few mods and I'm off to the trails!
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Saturday, July 18th, 2020 AT 4:14 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
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Great!

Be careful out there, remember we're here if you need us.

Never posted a pic of your rig?

The Medic
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Saturday, July 18th, 2020 AT 8:03 AM
Tiny
JBOOM87
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Sure thing!
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Saturday, July 18th, 2020 AT 4:18 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
Really nice!

Take care of it and will last forever!

The Medic
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Saturday, July 18th, 2020 AT 4:24 PM

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