Engine stalls

RANDY HOBBS2

MEMBER
1998 JEEP WRANGLER TJ
4.0L
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

I had driven the jeep about fifteen minutes and shut it off for about an hour. When I tried to start it, the dash lights did the self test and radio came on as usual, the starter started to engage, and then everything went out. I have headlights, dome lights, and horn, but nothing happens at all when I turn the ignition. I have changed the ignition switch, and the ignition switch actuator. I have checked and I have power coming to the ignition switch, but still nothing happens at all when I turn the key over. All of the fuses in the PDC under the hood are good, and all have 12.5 volts going to them. I have taken the starter off and had it tested, it is fine, and I have changed the starter relay in the PDC. I am normally really good with typical starting issues, but this one has me stumped. I am thinking a bad ground, but I have checked continuity between the engine block, body, and frame and they all seem good. Help me! LOL

8 Replies

FREEMBA

MECHANIC
1,152 POSTS

Disconnect the small brown wire from the starter. Use a voltmeter to check for voltage at that wire when the ignition is turned to start (should be twelve volts). [Red voltmeter lead to the brown wire and the black lead to a good ground]. If voltage is present, ignition switch is okay. If not, check fuse number twenty (in fuse block) and fuse number two (in power distribution center). Let me know what you find. Thanks.

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Sunday, June 11th, 2017 AT 4:03 PM

RANDY HOBBS2

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Okay, all the fuses are good, I got zero voltage at the wire you mentioned. I do not think I was clear in my initial description. It is not just the starter that will not fire, I have no power to anything in the dash. No radio, no accessory power, and no gauges or dash lights. Nothing at all happens when the key turns. Could this possibly be some type of anti theft issue? Because it seems like the entire system is not working, except for the headlights and dome lights.

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Sunday, June 11th, 2017 AT 4:21 PM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,005 POSTS

That was zero volts when the key was turned to "start"?

The Medic

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Sunday, June 11th, 2017 AT 5:58 PM

RANDY HOBBS2

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Yes, zero voltage when the key was turned to start.

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Monday, June 12th, 2017 AT 10:21 AM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,363 POSTS

Hello,

What comes to mind for me is a bad battery or battery cables. Inspect the cables and look for bugling. Also, move the cables around to see if you can get the electrical to come back etc.

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken