HELP! Jeep went dead!

Finally got the jeep out of the shop. New gears made running on the highway great! HOWEVER... on the way home my bikini top popped a strap and decided to start beating the hell outta me driving aprox. 65+ (speedo no longer accurate) down I-185! Pulled over, took top off , went to start the jeep back up and noticed the strong fuel smell . Yup... flooded it . Waited a minute, turned the key, NADA! :? That's right, no clicking or chugging outta the engine. Wasn't turning over at all. Gage said battery was good to go. Other electrical working. :? Truck came by, had some rope, tied up to bumpers and pull started. He said starter might have seized. Got her home and turned her off. As an afterthought, I turned the key again and viola! Started up pretty as she pleased!

Question: Could there be some sort of switch that cuts off the ability to turn the engine over when it's flooded? I thought I also heard some clicking noise when putting the gas to her while starting. I know it's a pretty silly question but I just drive 'em, I don't fix 'em!

 

That would be my best guess to. Mark

 

I concur. Is your exhasut near your starter solonoid? Sometimes heat will intermittantly affect a starter too.

 

I'd agree, the solenoid or maybe ignition switch is the most likely culprit. You can also have a dead pole on the starter; then the starter will work except for the 1 in <some large number> times when it stops on the bad pole. In that case, you'd hear a clunk of the solenoid throwing the starter gear into the flywheel, but the starter motor will not turn.

More likely the solenoid - they're cheap; replace it and if that's not the problem, you have a spare. hth

 

I fabbed up an aluminum heat shield to keep some of the exhaust pipe heat off the starter. Or you can buy them from summit, jegs, etc..

 

Thanks for the feedback, all! Those suggestions are a good place to start so I'll check into those.

 

UPDATE! Bought a new battery and that seemed to work... for a short time. Then, had the same problem with starting problem. It just wasn't even turning over. Took it to my mechanic, who replaced the fried starter and called me to tell me the jeep was ready. I wasn't able to pick it up then, however, because I was out of town. Proved to be a good thing. When he went back to the shop on Monday, the battery was dead again! He then checked the altenator which was HOT, despite the fact that the engine hadn't run all weekend. Turns out, there was a 12v draw to the alt even with the engine off. He said he's seen altenators wired like this on race cars but never seen it on a jeep. My altenator is now with an electrician getting rebuilt.

Just thought I'd post this in case anyone else has a similar issue.