Starter not working the engine is not cranking over?

Tiny
CONNIE WILLIAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 JEEP WRANGLER
  • 2,789,391 MILES
Sometimes it will restart right away then sometimes it will not start then I have to jump it.
Wednesday, July 18th, 2018 AT 5:28 PM

22 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
This sounds like the battery is getting weak but to confirm the issue let's follow this guide.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

And if the battery fails follow this guide.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-car-battery

Please run down these guides and report back.

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, July 20th, 2018 AT 10:58 AM
Tiny
CONNIE WILLIAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The battery is less than one year old. The alternator was replaced also and so was the starter.
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Friday, July 20th, 2018 AT 12:31 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Did you do the load test? I have seen new battery go bad. Can you make a video of what the car is doing and upload it here in your response?

Cheers, Ken
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Saturday, July 21st, 2018 AT 12:16 PM
Tiny
HJRUSTON54
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2008 JEEP WRANGLER
  • 80,000 MILES
Car won't start, when I turn the ignition it doesn't attempt to turn over it makes a whining noise. What could be the problem and could I fix this myself? As a side note I was able to start and make the engine run when doin a rolling start and popping the clutch, the car would shut off and start back up after I did that but not sure if it isn't something loose or something permenantly wrong.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Start by checking the ignition switch also this guide will help is fix it

This guide can help us fix it

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MONSTERPRINCESS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2008 JEEP WRANGLER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 17,500 MILES
I believe my Jeep thinks it's been stolen and will not start, nor will the key fob work anymore. It's less than 2 yrs old, the original key (factory settings), etc.

When I get in and turn the key, radio, panel lights, etc all come on perfectly, when I turn the key I get nothing - not a click, a crank, no effort from the car what-so-ever!

The red light above the temperature gauge stays on - which I believe means that Sentry Key Immobilizer System is 'working.'

How do I re-set? How do I get the car to start? I live alone in a mountain area 3 miles back on a dirt road and don't have many neighbors, and don't know the ones that I have.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Hi Have you tried your spare key? Does alarm go off?
The FOB or key turned to on will disarm. Have you checked battery? Can you get a jump start? Any fault in anti-theft will require a scan tool to diagnosis.
Let me know
Thanks for donate
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OU8121965
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2007 JEEP WRANGLER
  • 85,000 MILES
I have an 2007 Jeep Wrangler. I knew the battery was on its way out. My Jeep would still start but you could tell it was going. I removed the battery from my jeep and replaced it with another battery out of my P/up. Its was not the same CCA but I hoped it would work. And of course it did not. The lights would work the radio would work but it would not crank.

I went out and bought a new battery and once again it would not start. I had lights, radio etc. The auto part store said it might be the Neutral Safety Switch. Would anyone know were this is located? My Jeep is a 2007 and it is a stick shift. If you have any info please also send to my home email at shcerillo@cox. Net. Thank you.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
The problem isn't the battery or the neutral safety switch. Neutral safety switches are used with automatic transmissions. You will have a clutch pedal switch, and it's unlikely it failed from replacing the battery.

Most likely it is in anti-theft mode. Most mechanics use some type of memory saver when they disconnect the battery to prevent loss of memories in the many computer modules. First try locking, then unlocking the doors with the key fob. If that isn't working, unlock a front door with the key.

There is a different cause if you hear a single rather loud clunk from the starter each time you turn the ignition switch to "crank".
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OU8121965
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
My jeep is a manual shift, 6 spd. I dont have power doors.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OU8121965
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
So since I don't have an automatic does that mean I don't have a NSS. If you think it may be a anti theft problem how do I try and fix it? I read your above statement but I don't have power locks everything is manual. Thank you.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
I'm going on the assumption all newer vehicles have an anti-theft system, but that may not be the case with yours. As I recall, the anti-theft system was part of a package that included power locks. Regardless, there are a lot of things built in now that will prevent the engine from starting if programming is lost in a computer or if the Body Computer can't communicate with all the other computers to turn them on when you turn on the ignition switch. Usually if that happens you will see a message "no buss" in the odometer display.

The first thing is to check the fuses under the hood and inside. It is common for one or two to blow from the surge when a battery is reconnected.

By the way, you mentioned installing a battery with a different CCA rating. This is one time when "bigger is better", but smaller is often still better than what came as original equipment. A higher CCA rating just means that battery can deliver a higher amount of current if it is needed. It will not deliver any more current than what is needed. You need about 350 CCA, (cold cranking amps), to start the engine on a cold day. Most original batteries are in the area of 650 CCA. You can buy one with as much as 1000 CCA or even more, but you're paying a lot more for power you will never need or use.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
DID YOU GET 'ER DONE?

IF NOT, MAYBE SOMETHING IN HERE MIGHT HELP?

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/1996-chevrolet-tahoe-wont-start-sounds-dead-battery-jumpbox-get-same-reults

I HAVE SOME PICS AT THE END OF THE LINK

THE MEDIC

WELL OVER 7000 ANSWERS PROVIDED
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RSELVEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2007 JEEP WRANGLER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 37,000 MILES
Ignition just clicks. Jump start it and it starts right away. Battery tested and is ok. Happened again and as soon as I connected a battery charger to the battery it started and has now started for 2 days.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
I would want to see the battery readings myself, as far as voltage, when the problem is ongoing. Use a digital multimeter across battery posts, everything off, around 12.6 volts is generic spec for a full charge, leave meter leads hooked up to battery, have helper turn key to crank, watch the voltage drop on meter, how far? If it drops to zero, usually the battery or cables, can't rule out starter at the moment. Intermittent issues are a pain, you have to test when problem is ongoing.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALAN FORSTER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 JEEP WRANGLER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 35,000 MILES
I jumped into my jeep to run an errand and it wouldn't start, lights and all electricals worked fine but there was no response from the engine at all when I turned the key. It was just like when you don't depress the clutch all the way. I played with it, shifting it into 4 wheel low and neutral and back again and then it suddenly turned on. I've had to do this 3 times now to get it to start. Any ideas?
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hi Alan Forster, Welcome to 2carpros and TY for the donation.

Double check battery condition and connections to include the starter side

Do this: Find the clutch switch on the clutch pedal bracket disconnect it and jumper it and also the starter relay in the power distribution center swap it with a like one and see what happens-Also view the Starting system EWD


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_s1_35.jpg




https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_s2_32.jpg

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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
APCOUCH
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 JEEP WRANGLER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 48,000 MILES
I had the jeep running and turned it off to use the key to unlock a storage bin. Shortly after, put the key back in and heard a short buzz. The gauges began to deflect from far left to far right. The key was removed and the gauges continued to deflect. The battery was disconnected and problem, of course, stopped. After leaving the battery disconnected for extended time, reconnected and problem remained. When trying to turn the engine over, there is no sound at all except the ticking of the pulsing gauges.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SURV8R
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I also have a 2005 Jeep Wrangler (Unlimited) with 47,500 miles, 6cyl, AT.

I drove to the store last night, shut it off & went inside. When I returned in 5 minutes and attempted to crank, I experienced the EXACT same situation.

I attempted to jump start mine, with no luck.

I haven't removed the battery yet though.

And my local Jeep dealership is one that Chrysler closed recently, the next Jeep dealership is 1.5 hr away.

HELP!
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-1
Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SAMS44
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 JEEP WRANGLER
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 60,000 MILES
Hi, I have a 2005 jeep wrangler with manual transmission. Today I went to turn the key but the engine would not start. The lights and radio turn on just fine so I don't believe it is the battery. When I try to start it I hear a single click coming from below where the passengers feet would be. Pretty sure the sound is coming from where the starter is located. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:16 PM (Merged)

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