Intermittent no start issue

1978 JEEP CJ7
160,000 MILES • 4.2L • 6 CYL • 4WD • MANUAL
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JOSHUA G TAPIA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hello, I have the vehicle listed above that will start sometimes other times it just clicks like the starter solenoid is getting power but the starter isn’t actually spinning. I just had starter tested and it was good put a new starter solenoid and I ran a new ground from chassis to actual starter as suggested and it started twice perfectly ran perfectly shut it off to assemble steering column and now same thing it just clicks and won’t turn over.
Jun 22, 2021 at 1:25 AM
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KASEKENNY
  • Experienced Mechanic
  • 18,907 POSTS
I suspect this is is an ignition switch. There are a number of ways to try and figure this out. The easiest would be to by pass it when this happens. You do that by putting the switch in the on position and then jump the solenoid. Basically you are taking the place of the start position by applying power to the starter on the control wire.

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

Also, you can check voltage on the control wire when this is happening for 12 volts and I suspect you will have none or low voltage. If this is the case then we basically go back through the system to find where you have 12 volts.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Let me know if you have questions on this and we can go from there. Thanks
Jun 23, 2021 at 10:13 AM
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