My engine makes a rrrrrr sound when it tries to start

PIGGYMAN42

MEMBER
1988 JEEP CHEROKEE

I got a 1988 jeep cherokee four door, I had the starter checked out, its fine!I put it back on with the correct wires, but the jeep does not start. What else could be the problem?The battery is good, dont really know the answer to other possibility on why I the starter is fine, but when I turn the key it makes rrrr sound, like nothing is going into gear, or making it start. The other possibility that I was told was the gears are not grabbing the starter and making it go into position. So what else could be the problem and how can I fix it.

any ideas or info would be helpful ladys adn gentlemen

scotty johnston

3 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Could be that the starter pinion drive is not engaging the flexplate/flywheel-check for excessive clearance-

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Tuesday, October 11th, 2011 AT 9:32 PM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

MAKE SURE THE BATTERY IS FULLY CHARGED/ CHARGING SYSTEM WORKS---AT MINIMUM, ABLE TO JUMPSTART IT, TO GET IT TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE FOR TESTING.....OR WE CAN TALK YOU THRU A FIELD TEST, IF YOU HAVE A VOLTMETER

LETS SEE IF THE STARTER/ ENGINE IS BINDING---CAN YOU MOVE THE CRANKSHAFT WITH A WRENCH? MIGHT NEED TO BE SHIMMED? SEE MY PIC AT THE BOTTOM

THIS IS THE NORMAL THE PROBLEMS..........

CHECK YOUR FUSES!!!---YOUR OWNERS MANUAL MAY SHOW YOU LOCATIONS THAT YOU KNEW NOTHING ABOUT! REMOVE AND REPLACE "SUSPECT" FUSES SEVERAL TIMES--THIS MAY SCRAPE OFF CORROSION AND GIVE THEM BETTER CONTACT!

THIS WILL WORK FOR YOU, PROVIDED THAT YOUR BATTERY IS GOOD---OR YOU CAN BE JUMPED OFF!!!

REMEMBER "NEW STUFF" CAN BE BAD TOO!

YOUR STARTER MAY BE BAD! YOUR SOLENOID MAY BE BAD!

I JUST PLUGGED IN GUESSES OF YOUR JEEP AND ENGINE

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Duralast-Solenoid-Switch/1988-Jeep-Cherokee-4WD/_/N-iug5iZ9riee?counter=0&filterByKeyWord=solenoid&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=19097_0_6728_

THIS PART IS USUALLY TH PROBLEM!

Try the stuff below (actions)

TAKE STUFF LOOSECLEAN"SCOOCH" IT AROUND TO OBTAIN BETTER CONTACT.....THEN TIGHTEN NUTS AND BOLTS WELLDO NOT JUST PASS ANYTHING OFF AS,........."IT LOOKS GOOD", OR "THAT LOOKS TIGHT".

JUST A LITTLE MORE ATTENTION AS YOU GO, MAY SAVE YOU A HECK OF A LOT OF TIME AND $$$!

Do not leave off where the Battery cables connect to the Battery clamps! (not the posts, the "squeeze connections" on the cables) While you are at it, Both ends of Pos cable, Both ends of NEG cable. If you still have the problem. Follow Battery Positive cable to find the Solenoid. Clean it's connections.

Clean and tighten the starter connections too!

ALL IN ALL, EVERY CONNECTION, FROM THE BATTERY, UNTIL IT ENDS MUST BE CHECKED!

Usually a situation like yours is a cable connection, next step after this will be to find and check fusible links....they will sometimes burn up, ESPECIALLY if jumper cables were installed wrong!

KEEP US INFORMED....I'M PULLIN' FOR YOU!

THE MEDIC

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