91 Jeep won't start

[rboit]

91 Jeep Cherokee will not start. Replaced starter, but problem persists. When we turn the key the first time we get a click. After that, nothing. When we put power to the new starter, the bendix pops out, but the starter motor does not turn. Battery and relays are OK. Any ideas for other things to check will be appreciated.

[Dale Aeppli]

Originally Posted by rboit

91 Jeep Cherokee will not start. Replaced starter, but problem persists. When we turn the key the first time we get a click. After that, nothing. When we put power to the new starter, the bendix pops out, but the starter motor does not turn. Battery and relays are OK. Any ideas for other things to check will be appreciated.

HI, YOU SAY THE BENDIX ENGAGES BUT ENGINE DOESN'T TURN OVER, IF THIS IS RIGHT THE BENDIX IS BAD DOES IT SOUND LIKE THE STARTER IS RUNNING BUT NOT TURNING ENGINE. OR DOES BENDIX ENGAGE BUT NOTHING HAPPENS, NO NOISE NO TURNING OF ENGINE. DALE [email protected]

[rboit]

Originally Posted by Dale Aeppli

HI, YOU SAY THE BENDIX ENGAGES BUT ENGINE DOESN'T TURN OVER, IF THIS IS RIGHT THE BENDIX IS BAD DOES IT SOUND LIKE THE STARTER IS RUNNING BUT NOT TURNING ENGINE. OR DOES BENDIX ENGAGE BUT NOTHING HAPPENS, NO NOISE NO TURNING OF ENGINE. DALE [email protected]

Thanks for the reply. We tested the starter by unbolting it and engaging the ignition. Bendix pops out, but starter motor does not run. It's a new starter, so we are assuming it is OK.

[gtmud]

Do not assume its OK. I have had many times were a "new" part from the store was actually bad. Recommend taking it off and taking to the store you bought it from and have them test it. Another thing , double check ALL your grounds. It might have enough to pop the bendix out but not enough to turn the starter.

[dnparadice]

I have a 91 that starts intermitantly, i have to find the sweet spot in the park position on the shifter to get any thing to happen, i have been told that it is some switch that senses when you are in the park position and will only allow the jeep to start when in park. works prety good as a theft deterant i let my friend borrow it and he thought the battery was dead because when you try turn it over it just makes a clicking noise. I hoped in and jiggled the shift lever into the sweet spot and it fires up every time.
-JC

[bplummer]

hey i had the same thing happen to me on my 90' cherokee. i replaced the starter, solenoid, relay, solenoid again and finally i had enough of that and looked at my wiring and the small wire that goes to the starter had a bad slice in it. it had the same symtoms that yours was having. so make sure that you have good, non-coroded wires and a good ground. also, i'm not sure if the 91's have it but mine has a starter relay right behind the battery, that could also be bad. definitly sounds like a wiring problem to me though. good luck

[rboit]

Thanks for your help. Found a bad ground. We are back in business!