Starter problems

Tiny
JEANER29
  • MEMBER
  • 1986 JEEP CJ7
  • 2.4L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 171,995 MILES
8 mo ago I had a new starter put in because when I would start the 1986 jeep cj7 renegade it would make a grinding metal on metal sound or make an obnoxious loud ticking noise and then grinding sound before starting. It was fine for a while but the same thing is happening again. Sometimes I get in and turn the key and. SILENCE. Nothing. I tap the starter with a hammer and it starts right up. What could be the problem? Going thru a starter every 6 mo. Is not right. Can you help me out? Thanks!
Wednesday, May 1st, 2019 AT 9:31 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Hi Jeaner,

Unfortunately, this sounds like it is the starter. Any time tapping on it with a hammer and it starts usually points to the solenoid as the issue. These unfortunately get gummed up and fail when they are not used frequently. If the vehicle sits, then I would recommend starting it more often. If you drive it frequently then you may have just gotten a sub standard starter. If it is within a year old and it was brand new, they usually carry a warranty that may still be valid. It is worth trying if you call the place you bought it from.

Here is a guide that is a pretty good read on these if you are interested.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-starter-and-solenoid-works
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Thursday, May 2nd, 2019 AT 2:55 PM
Tiny
JEANER29
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thank you so much for your answer! Excellent information! Thanks, Jean
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Saturday, May 4th, 2019 AT 2:13 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Any time. If you need anything else or have any other questions, please come back. Some of us have had or have different jeeps so we are VERY familiar. Thanks.
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Saturday, May 4th, 2019 AT 2:40 PM
Tiny
JEANER29
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
KaseKenny1, Thanks so much for the info on the starter that you sent along with your answer. It was most helpful especially the part where it tells the meaning of each noise the starter makes on start up! I am going to talk to my mechanic about the possibilities. Let me ask you this, do you think I should put a more powerful starter in my jeep or is there such a thing? Another answer mentioned getting one with a different tooth count. I am not sure if that means it is more powerful or not. I trust you because your answer was so right on. Please let me know what you think. Thanks!
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Monday, May 6th, 2019 AT 3:52 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Thank you for the kind words. No I would not put a different starter on it. Especially one with a different tooth count because that will most likely not engage properly and your vehicle will not start. Plus you don't need a powerful starter. All you need it to do is turn the engine over because once it starts to turn over the engine will do the rest. A more powerful starter will not improve starting or any other performance of the vehicle so just the one that it calls for is all that is needed.

Thanks
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Monday, May 6th, 2019 AT 4:23 PM
Tiny
JEANER29
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thanks again for your reply! I am going to talk to my mechanic and ask him to check the status of the starter and the solenoid and go from there. This is the second time this has happened in the past year. Now with your advice I know what to do to keep the starter in good condition. I just ordered two gauges for the jeep. Both of mine. The oil and battery gauges were broken. Is there a certain brand of gauges that are the best match for the 1986 CJ7? I mean by looks mainly. When I get the gauges, if they don't look like cj7 gauges I am not using them. I am also in the process of replacing light bulbs in the instrument panel. That is a bear! Thanks again. Jean
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Monday, May 6th, 2019 AT 5:45 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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I just like the look of Autometer so I normally go with them. If you are trying to find one that looks like OEM, Omix or Crown I have heard make a pretty good gauge.
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Monday, May 6th, 2019 AT 5:58 PM
Tiny
JEANER29
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thanks for the advice. I didn't like the looks of the Crown gauge so I went with Omix. Who sells the Autometer? Another question for you. The lock is broken on my glove box on my 1986 Jeep cj7 Renegade and I cannot get the thing open. Any solutions, please!
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Tuesday, May 7th, 2019 AT 11:35 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Most likely you will have to drill out the lock cylinder so that you can just turn it by hand without the key and then you will be able to open it and replace it. Basically, you are going to hollow it out and then start fresh with a new lock and key. Here is a video on how to remove it once you get it open:

https://youtu.be/kNmYNCNaSCE
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Tuesday, May 7th, 2019 AT 5:27 PM
Tiny
JEANER29
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thanks again! You are a life saver! By the way, my starter has a lifetime warranty, so I am going to get it swapped out.
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Wednesday, May 8th, 2019 AT 5:20 PM

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