Jeep cherokee 2.5d. It wont start, solenoid clicks, but doesnt turn over at all. Wont start off a known good battery, or with jump leads, or when shorting the solenoid. But, last time it did this, a new battery sorted it. Is it possible for a starter to not like the cold?

The wife reckons that every time i put it in 4wd, it then wont start, but i cant see any possible link.

Ideas? Apart from burn it to keep warm...

Try a few sharp taps to the starter motor with a hammer.

Tried that just now and it did work. What do you reckon it is though, dodgy starter, solenoid or just shite american motor?

Nah, just needs hitting, makes you feel better

but could be something sticky. Brushes? or doesn't the solenoid have to click to throw the pinion, and only then will it pass current? (need to think about that one)

ISTR i disassembled it last sept when we had this problem last, expecting to find missing contacts, but it all seemed fine. Ive never known a car so difficult to bump start, my van will start in a few feet on the drive, the jeep it just isnt possible, you need about 3 people pushing

Put a volt meter across the battery it should read about 12.5v in this weather anything lower indicates very low charge.

Then with the voltmeter still across the battery try to operate the starter, if the voltage drops below 9v ie falls very rapidly to 6v or falls very rapidly to 6v then slow rises to 8v it indicates a goosed battery.

If when the starter is operated the voltmeter falls quite slowly from 8v then it indicates the battery needs charged.



Other tests put the volt meter between the battery - terminnal and a god earth the engine block and operate the starter if the meter reads more than about 0.3v you have a bad earth connection.

[Edited on 4/2/12 by britishtrident]

[Edited on 4/2/12 by britishtrident]

If you can dismantle the solenoid check for any oxidization of the contacts or any crud on them as they sound like they are making contact but not passing current. To check for this fault tuorn on your headlights whilst they are shining against a wall then operate the starter if the lights do not dim then the starter is not drawing current and the solenoid contacts are at fault, if they do dim then you have a stuck starter.

[Edited on 4/2/12 by spiderman]

Had something similar this week with my Suzuki - Solenoid clicked.
Started with jump leads (earthed directly to engine block).

Found the main battery earth to the engine was hanging by the last couple of wire strands.

Replaced the lead and works fine now.

just shite american motor

Crappy earth connections seem to be at the root of most of these kind of problems check all solenoid conections etc We got some of that stuff from Maplins which is allgedly used by the forces of Nato to stop corrosion of connections and on the vehicles where we hve used it there has been no re occurrence yet.
Short pause while I walk to garage to find the name of this stuff


Contralube 770
Worth the money
atb
Mike

Had the same thing last week with my 98 Cherokee 4 litre, loose ground cable, half way to work, stopped for a coffee, came out it was totally dead.

Started with a boost, re-tightened the battery cables all fine now.

The 4 wheel drive is all mechanical in pre 2001 Cherokees.

Many thanks for all this help guys, much appreciated.

I noticed that the headlights didnt dim as i turned the key, whilst i was trying to work out if the battery was goosed. But, i also bypassed the solenoid, so maybe i need to try harder with a jump lead tomorrow.

Would love to test voltage but i dont think i have a meter.

Thanks again.