88 cherokee won't start (sometimes)

[Vlad ink]

88 cherokee w/inline 6 won't start sometimes.
battery is good
alternator is working properly
but sometimes I will go to crank and nothing happens. When this happens The dash indicator lights don't work when ignition is turned
and the headlamps wont work it's like the whole electrical system is dead. No sound from starter solenoid. I get 12v at battery.Tried jumper from + battery to starter solenoid and it will sometimes click once after that nothing.Tried to start in nuetral no luck. Walk away for an hour get a bite to eat and it magically cranks usually good for 5-10 more starts and repeats this vicious cycle. Any help would be appreciated.

[Dale Aeppli]

Originally Posted by Vlad ink

88 cherokee w/inline 6 won't start sometimes.
battery is good
alternator is working properly
but sometimes I will go to crank and nothing happens. When this happens The dash indicator lights don't work when ignition is turned
and the headlamps wont work it's like the whole electrical system is dead. No sound from starter solenoid. I get 12v at battery.Tried jumper from + battery to starter solenoid and it will sometimes click once after that nothing.Tried to start in nuetral no luck. Walk away for an hour get a bite to eat and it magically cranks usually good for 5-10 more starts and repeats this vicious cycle. Any help would be appreciated.

Try cleaning battery terminals and the battery post, check and tighten the cables especally the battery ground cable.. Make sure where they are connected is clean. Check for loose connectors on cables. If cables are orginal they could have corrision inside causing voltage drop Dale

[bulletpc]

I have an 89 and I had that problem just today it was the connection at the starter. It is the small starter wire that delivers power to the starter and the interior or it is a bad ground at the battery.

[Vlad ink]

Originally Posted by Dale Aeppli

Try cleaning battery terminals and the battery post, check and tighten the cables especally the battery ground cable.. Make sure where they are connected is clean. Check for loose connectors on cables. If cables are orginal they could have corrision inside causing voltage drop Dale

Thanks Dale I have already removed and cleaned all connections at starter solenoid and the battery posts and ground at engine block.
Any other suggestions?

[Vlad ink]

Originally Posted by bulletpc

I have an 89 and I had that problem just today it was the connection at the starter. It is the small starter wire that delivers power to the starter and the interior or it is a bad ground at the battery.

Thanks I have cleaned that connection and the problem persists. It seems like a bad ground somewhere but I can't find it. Checked ground connection near fuse block and found another in back rear fender both are good. If the solenoid was bad would I loose juice at headlamps?
Could it be a bad ignition switch? I don't know if these are silly questions
but I thought I'd throw them out. Remember I am just a ham fisted pipe fitter not a mechanic. any ideas?

[Vlad ink]

okay the hot wires that go from the battery to row of relays
there is big terminal hot wires most are green for about 3 inches one is blue for 3 inches or so they all have rubber boots on them (fuse links?)
then switch to red and most tie to harness that runs under radiator.
anyway if I move that group of wires around the jeep will regain power and crank 99% of the time.

Anyone have any ideas why? coincidence? Help?

[Saudade]

Most likely a loose connection in there or a wire has broken inside the insulation. Keep working at it. You've almost got it.

Are you moving the harness near the relays or under the radiator?

[Vlad ink]

Originally Posted by Saudade

Are you moving the harness near the relays or under the radiator?

Just near the relays. All have rubber boots are these boots just connections or are they fuse links?