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1998 Jeep Cherokee Classic 4x4 4.0 L Ignition switch will not engage starter. With key 'on' and jumper across power in power out terminals of small relay at distribution panel, the engine starts and runs. Relay appears ok. 12 volt power and ground activates relay. What provides ground for this relay on vehicle and what is the center function?
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To check the starter: key off, transmission in park or neutral, brake set. Pull off the small wire to starter solenoid. Then use a small jumper wire from battery cable post on the starter to the solenoid terminal (can also use a small screwdriver to bridge those terminals). Starter motor should engage the flywheel and spin the engine. If nothing, starter motor or solenoid is bad. If starter works, check for power on the small solenoid wire, with key held in crank. Wire should have power, if not, check start circuit from ignition switch to solenoid-the neutral safety switch is in that circuit.
on the relay there will be a small wire that gets power when you turn the key to the start position
find that wire and connect it to the small terminal of the starter solenoid
then if you get it right , when you turn the key to start, power will get to the starter solenoid , energize the solenoid and the starter will engage
Three items to check there. Make sure the battery terminals are clean and secure, check the starter relay (quick way is to steal another in the power center and switch them). Also check the engine grounds and that the starter solenoid is engaging. If you have power at the small terminal on the starter when the key is turned to start, good bet the starter is bad.
fuse 8 40a supplies power to starter relay and ignition switch, to close the starter solenoid and engage the starter which draws directly from the battery. check to see that the starter relay is closing, if not ensure that the park neutral switch is not faulty (open circuit), it provides path to close relay (ground side) on the 85 - 86 terminals. if the starter relay does not close the starter will not run. if you have a spare relay swap out the relay for a quick fix attempt. hope this helps
The starter is bad. Solenoid is good, the starter itself is bad. You can remove it and take it to Schuck's/Chief's/Kragen/NAPA, they will test it for FREE. You can't beat free!!!
Your starter needs a "makeover". try to clean or change the brushes in the starter.
a cheap and simple solution, is to make the cables on the starter longer, and attach them to a button in you car. If you choose that solution, you just have to turn on the ignition, and then push the button you have connected the starter cables to.
Have you checked battery voltage? (12v or better) Check voltage at main starter cable (should be almost same reading, but not substantially lower (11.8 ok) Then check power to small terminal on starter...with key turned to "start" it should have 12v. If you have these readings and block ground is clean and secure, it's likely that starter has failed. If no power to small wire, either ignition switch or a relay is bad.(on stick vehicles add clutch switch) You can jump starter across large & small terminals and this will generally get it started. Do this with key "on" and vehicle in park (neutral on stick shift with brake on)
How old is your battery?
Try changing it or charge your battery. At Wal-Mart a new battery is around $50-$60 for a jeep. just look and see how many cca's you need. I think my jeep is 525cca's.
Check neutral safety switch... On automatic AW4 transmission it's on the passenger side, directly across from gear selector shaft. The two inner terminals on the side opposite the clip lever on the harness connector are the ones that operate starter. If you jump across these you should get voltage baqck to the small wire on the starter solenoid.(trigger) The switch itself is about $200, but can be rebuilt or replaced with a salvage yard part cheaply. Get a manual fro removal, and follow them carefully. PS: connector is up near ;the trans dipstick!
I had the same problem with my 94 jeep and i ended up finding out what was causing the problem was the starter relay in the fuse box under hood, i believe its the second or third relay. Try turning the key to the start position and leave it there and poop open ur hood and manuelly start the relay
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