Installed new wiring harness and now nothing happens when I turn the key

Tiny
GFERRELL
  • MEMBER
  • 1980 JEEP CJ7
  • 4.2L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
Vehicle went from running one day to not running the next. We’ve had it for about 6 months. It has a new battery, starter, starter solenoid, ignition switch, ignition control module, coil, cap and rotor, fuel filter and fuel pump. I decided to install a painless wiring harness. Dash lights, wiper motor, heater motor, headlights, tail lights, parking lights, front blinkers work. Nothing happens when I turn the key. I have power on all the hot wires and all the grounds test out. I have power to the battery side of the solenoid, power on the blue wires when I turn the key to start, but no power to the starter side of the solenoid when I turn the key. I replaced the solenoid again yesterday. It will crank if I jump the side poles of the solenoid. Thoughts?
Saturday, April 24th, 2021 AT 10:49 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
Hi,

At the starter, you will have a heavy gauge wire straight from the battery that has 12v at all times. The smaller wire attached to the S terminal should only get 12v when the key is in the start position. Is that what is happening? If it is, then the starter is bad.

I don't know if it is due to the model year or what, but I have no wiring schematics. However, do me a favor. Here is a link that explains how to check/repair a starter that isn't working. Take a look through it and let me know if it helps.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

I will watch for your reply. Also, we have a tech here that is excellent with these vehicles. I'm surprised he hasn't jumped on this question. Maybe he still will.

Regardless, let me know what you find.

Joe
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Sunday, April 25th, 2021 AT 7:35 PM
Tiny
GFERRELL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Turns out the third starter solenoid I purchased did the trick. Got it to crank and now I have it running. Now I’m working on everything else. Trying to get the fuel, voltage, oil pressure, and temperature gauges to work. And figuring out the new vacuum tube layout with the new Weber carburetor I installed.
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Sunday, April 25th, 2021 AT 7:50 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
Hi,

I'm glad to hear you got it running. As far as the other things you are working on, please feel free to start a new link with questions. Someone will be happy to help.

Here is the link for a new post:

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

Take care,

Joe
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Sunday, April 25th, 2021 AT 9:24 PM

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