problem starting my jeep

[jas24011]

I just replaced the battery in my jeep a few months ago. A few weeks ago, I try to start my car and hear the click, click sound. I jumped it off and it started fine after that for the rest of the week. I figured I must have just left a light on. Then, about a week later, I go to start it, and again it won't start, just clicks. I got the battery tested and the battery is fine. Sometimes, if I just keep turning the key it starts up eventually. Other times, it never starts. I'm assuming it's not the starter since it starts right up when enough battery power gets to the starter. Could this just be a bad battery connection?

[Bob D.]

Did you clean the battery terminals?

[sreilly77]

Originally Posted by jas24011

I just replaced the battery in my jeep a few months ago. A few weeks ago, I try to start my car and hear the click, click sound. I jumped it off and it started fine after that for the rest of the week. I figured I must have just left a light on. Then, about a week later, I go to start it, and again it won't start, just clicks. I got the battery tested and the battery is fine. Sometimes, if I just keep turning the key it starts up eventually. Other times, it never starts. I'm assuming it's not the starter since it starts right up when enough battery power gets to the starter. Could this just be a bad battery connection?

Hey there:
Sounds like your starter is on the way out. I had the same problem with my 96 Dakota. Eventually after trying to start it so many times it would start. Eventually, it wouldn't start at all. Thankfully, my Dodge is stick and I could kick start. But what it sounds like is the starter solinoid is going bad and that is connected to the starter. I checked the alternator and battery and they were fine and even after jumping the truck it would start, until the starter finally went. Try this: When the jeep won't start again when it just "clicks," try tapping the starter itself with something. Make sure the battery is unhooked first. Then tap the starter, hook back up the battery, and see if it starts right up. I rebuild cars and have had these symptoms with cars of friends and family and they all turned out to have bad starters.

[jas24011]

Yeah, the problem did turn out to be the starter solenoid. Thanks for the help. But, when I was driving it to the mechanic, I also noticed that when I stopped at a red light, the rpm's fluctuated and dropped really low then came back up, and it seemed to have a rough idle. Could that be related to the solenoid problem also or is that a whole new problem?

[sreilly77]

Originally Posted by jas24011

Yeah, the problem did turn out to be the starter solenoid. Thanks for the help. But, when I was driving it to the mechanic, I also noticed that when I stopped at a red light, the rpm's fluctuated and dropped really low then came back up, and it seemed to have a rough idle. Could that be related to the solenoid problem also or is that a whole new problem?

That is a whole different problem. That could be a number of things. The CHEAPEST thing that it could be is bad gas. May be some gas treatment added to your tank next time you fill might do the trick. This could be a number of things such as a bad idle/air control valve, low fuel pressure from the fuel pump, bad fuel filter, i mean it can be a number of things. my suggestion is next time you are getting ready to fill your tank, let it get down pretty low like 1/8 of a tank left (normally, you should never let your tank get below 1/4 of a tank). then put in a good fuel system cleaner and gas treatment (I prefer Gumout products that you could get at your local auto parts store) and fill the tank up all the way. Try that first and see what happens.