just one click, no start

[Rick B]

94 Grand Cherokee, 4.0 6 cyl inline. Drove in a bit of rain last night, nothing unusual. Ran fine. Parked in garage. Won't start this morning. Just clicks once when key is turned. Repalced starter. Didn't help, same problem. Checked codes, just say that battery has been disconnected recently (yup). Cleaned termionals, and ground on block.

Can't figure it out!

Any thoughts??

Thanks.

Rick

[JDPascal]

Will it start with a boost??

How old is the battery?? Over 3 years is a long battery life in most cases.

check battery voltage with a volt meter when key is off (should be above 12.5 volts) then check battery voltage while someone is trying to get the engine to crank (voltage should not drop much below 10 volts). DON'T STAND OVER THE BATTERY WHEN YOU ARE TESTING WHILE CRANKING ESPECIALLY AFTER CHARGING.

If both are low, try charging the battery and retest. If the first is good and the second is low, get a new battery.

This is not a regular shop test but will give a good indication. Better yet take the battery out and to a shop to have it charged and load tested if it is a newer battery.

JD

[Rick B]

JD:

I've tried with a jump from wife's car, and from a portable jumpstarter. Doesn't help.

Thanks.

Rick

[Caribbean ZJ]

try starting with a new battery or from someone else's vehicle. Either battery or crank sensor.

[msrjeep]

bad crank sensor won't prevent the engine from cranking. it just won't start.

start by check all the fuses.

[dksob81]

RICK was it raiing bad, did u hit any puddles?
I think ur plugs may be locked up,
I know u emailed me, just try what I told u and let us know.

Remember if it does start cranking after u get the plugs out, you will need to replace the plugs and change the oil and filter.

[Rick B]

Pulled all the plugs, still won't turn over. But, for the first time, I was able to have someone else turn the key while I listened under the hood. The click is not coming from the starter/solonoid as I had previously thought. Rather, it is coming from a part just forward of the radiator overflow tank. The part is cylindrical, about 3.5-4.0 inches in diameter and about the same length, with a narrow cone shape thing protruding from one end.

So, I got out my voltmeter and started checking. Interestingly, there is always 12 v across the two large terminals on the starter, regardless of the position of the ignition key.

Now for the best part. I accidently shorted across the center terminal and the small terminal on the starter, and the starter engaged. So, the starter is okay. Must be a switch or wiring problem?

For a long time, actually since I had the tyranny rebuilt, I've had to gve the shifter a little extra push forward in order to engage the starter. I think there is a shifter over-ride switch or something like that. Could it be completely out of adjustment, or loose? Any idea where it is located?

Or, could be the ignition switch? Or wiring?

Any good way to check all of this?

Thanks!!

Rick

[JDPascal]

There is a relay for the starter solenoid circuit in that box.

Find the one that is clicking and swap it with one of the others.

then you can replace it with one from a recycler or the dealer later.

JD

[Rick B]

Well, I finally broke down and took it to a shop. The starting problem was the lock cylinder in the ignition switch, which I did not replace when I changed the switch.

Who woulda thought?

Rick