1978 Jeep CJ5 Starting Problems

MR2RE88

MEMBER
1978 JEEP CJ5

HI. I just purchase a 1978 CJ5 I-6 3 speed t150 2 months ago. I am trying to work out all the kinks before I start adding the fun stuff. Initially upon purchase the starter grind when starting. So I replace the starter with a remanufacture one and new solenoid. The jeep ran fine for a week till it needed a new battery. Upon replacing the battery I inspected the spark plugs which I replace with wiring and distributor cap. I also replace the ignition coil. The jeep was running fine for a few more weeks till my ignition column jammed. So I decided to install a push button starter with a kill switch. The jeep was running fine till a few weeks ago when I went mudding. The next day when I try starting it the starter made the same grinding sound when I first bought. After a few more pushes of the button the starter seized. I pull the starter and 3/4 of the teeth wore broken. The starter was still under warranty so was the solenoid which I replace both. The jeep fired right up and drove for a few days. And then the same thing happen. It made the grinding sound and even when it didn't it won't turn over at all. And the positive terminal from the battery to the solenoid started sparking and melting it. I am all out of options. I figure I could replace the starter again but I would like to fix the problem. I also inspected the fly wheel no teeth are missing.

7 Replies

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,005 POSTS

KEEP ON REPLYING, I'LL HANG WITH YOU AS MUCH AS YOU CAN STAND ME!

I'VE ANSWERED NEARLY ALL OF THE CJs IN THE 2CAR FORUMS SINCE '09

WHAT YOU ARE DESCRIBING REALLY SOUNDS LIKE MAYBE THE RING ON YOUR FLYWHEEL MIGHT BE CHEWED UP.......RESULTING IN THE CHEWAGE OF YOUR STARTER TEETH

ABOUT THE ONLY WAY TO SOLVE THIS IS TO SNATCH OUT THE TRANNY AND TRANSFER CASE, THEN THE BELL HOUSING. THAT LEAVES YOU WITH THE CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL

I'VE HAD BOTH OF MINE APART IN THE LAST TWO YEARS......I TOOK PICS TOO!

ON "WILLY" MY '46 WILLYS, I HAD THE FLYWHEEL SURFACED, REPLACED MY CHEWED UP RING, AND SINCE I WAS IN THERE.....A NEW CLUTCH SET

ON "MR. JEEP", MY '77 CJ 5 THAT I HAVE MADE MANY "MacGYVER TYPE MODIFICATIONS" TO, MY INTENTIONS WERE TO SORTA MAKE A NEW TRANNY, WITH ALL NEW PARTS (REUSING MY CASE), I WOUND UP DOIN' THE TRANSFER CASE TOO WHEN IT PRESENTED A GLITCH DURING THE PROCESS

MANY TIMES I WILL "LINK" TO ANOTHER POST I HAVE PREVIOUSLY ANSWERED, OR "COPY AND PASTE" SOME OF MY OLDER ANSWERS IN..........SORTA SAVES ME TIME......SOMETIMES MY LINKS, HAVE LINKS IN THEM TOO!

I TEND TO GET CARRIED AWAY WITH MY ANSWERING AND WRITE NOVELS....ESPECIALLY WHEN ANSWERING A CJ

HERE'S A LINK TO JUST ONE OF THE OVER 7000 ANSWERS I HAVE GIVEN ON HERE

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/1970-jeep-cj5-doesn-t-bell-housing-fork-center-on-clutch

KEEP ASKIN' 'BOUT ANYTHING CJ, STAY ON THIS THREAD, OR I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FIND YOU AGAIN

HERE'S JUST A COUPLE OF PICS OF "WILLY'S" AND "MR. JEEP'S" OPERATIONS WHEN THEY GOT SIC..........I HAVE LOTS OF JEEP FIXIN' PICS

ARE YOU D.I.Y.-ING THIS YOURSELF?......TOOLS?....EXPERIENCE?....REPAIR MANUAL(S)?......FEEL FREE TO WRITE A NOVEL......YOU WILL GET BACK 20 FOLD!........SHOULD YOU TACKLE THIS PROJECT I CAN GIVE YOU A FEW POINTERS, STUFF THAT THE BOOK MIGHT MENTION, BUT IS SORTA DIFFICULT TO COMPREHEND.........'TILL YOU MESS UP....UNDERSTAND IT THE HARD WAY

I MAY BE ABLE TO SHOW YOU HOW TO SAVE SOME MONEY AT THE PARTS STORE

YOUR TURN

THE MEDIC

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