Do I have a mechanical or an electrical problem?

Sunday, I climbed into the '5 for a short trip to the hardware store. I hit the ignition and the starter turned over a couple of times and then stopped with what sounded like a clunk. Now when I turn the key nothing happens. The gages and the accessories that run through the ignition switch still work, and I have right at 12 volts of juice to the starter.

I thinking my starter (or the solenoid) has gone bad, but I just installed a new unit about four months ago. I hate to just start parts changing. Does anyone have any thoughts? Could it be something other than the starter?

TNX

 

Thanks Howard.

I have voltage at the solenoid. When the key is turned to the start position it drops as if there's a draw on it, but does not go to zero.

If I am reading your notes correctly, that would mean a solenoid problem, correct?

R.

 

to eliminate the solenoid jump across the two main terminals with a heavy wire or two screwdrivers if the starter spins good the solenoid is bad.

 

TNX much I'll try that.

 

"but I just installed a new unit"

Then that is always the first thing to suspect, in my experience.

 

Stick it in first or reverse and rock the JEEP back and forth, to get the flywheel and starter teeth in a new position and try again.

 

you could always try tapping on the starter with something to see if its stuck. i recently had mine rebuilt at a local shop with a new solenoid just to have my solenoid go out about 2 months later and had to jump the terminals on the solenoid just to get it started sometimes, mine caused an intermittent no start issue but started just fine everytime i jumped the solenoid. with my second new solenoid i havent had an issue yet.

 

i was just going to say tap the starter and solonoid with a hammer and see if it works. it might free it up from its stuck position. maybe do both, rock and tap and see if it works.

 

Rubber Mallet! Not a hammer!

 

Thanks to all for the help. Two problems isolated, and the '5 is back on the road. I had a bad terminal on the starter and also low amperage on the battery. Replaced both and both were still under parts of their warranty. So, I got a bit of a price break.