Starter engages flywheel but doesnt turn?

[Zoner]

Our 97 XJ was starting slower and slower (cranking speed) and finally the battery was too low to start it, so I replaced the battery which was about due anyways. It started up like new again and ran like this for two days.

Now when I go to crank it over, there is just a clack as the starter engages but it doesnt turn. I wondered if the battery was faulty, so I tried jumping it and it made no difference.

I almost replaced the starter, but instead I grabbed the starter off the other XJ I have and tried that one out. It made a clack as it engaged the flyweel, but it too does not turn. I returned the other starter back to the 96 and it still starts fine.

Can the starter relay only half work? Enough to kick the gear into the flyweel, but not enough to turn the starter?

Or did the engine somehow seize and its just not turning because the engine wont turn? Everything was fine when we shut it off, wasnt hot, didnt make any strange noise. The fluids are all normal looking.

At least I didnt waste $140 on a new starter, but now what?

[91xjtim]

I wonder if maybe youre not getting a full 12V to the starter. I think I would have somebody check the battery while you attempt to start it...see how much voltage drops. If it doesnt drop too bad then...I would do some simple stuff. Clean connections(on the battery, cables connections etc..)

[Hawaiian Style]

Definately check the connections at the starter. When I replaced mine I didn't tighten the ground up as well as I should have and that caused intermitant starter problems for me. I'd also check the battery ground out as well while your at it.

140 bucks is a lot for a starter... I bought a cheap reman 3 years ago with the lifetime warranty. It starts my XJ just fine and costs half the price. Here's a link to a cheapy:

http://www.partsamerica.com/PartDetails.asp?SourceArea=&SourcePage=SEARCHRESULTS&MfrCode=WWA&MfrPartNumber=16848&PartType=123&PTSet=A

Oh yeah, forgot to add. Pepboys checked my old starter out for me... (free)that can at least tell you if your starter is any good. If I had to guess I'd say you've got a voltage/ground issue. Anyway, it's a good place to start looking...

good luck.

[churky89]

Just a thought,make sure the starter is tightened all the way up.
Make sure it is the right starter,sometimes starters for autotrans will be shorter or longer which will cause the starter gears to either be too far back
or too far foward.Found this out when mine went out.Some may even have to be shimmed like the GM style.Check it out...........

[Hawaiian Style]

Just a thought,make sure the starter is tightened all the way up.
Make sure it is the right starter,sometimes starters for autotrans will be shorter or longer which will cause the starter gears to either be too far back
or too far foward.Found this out when mine went out.Some may even have to be shimmed like the GM style.Check it out...........

also a really good idea.

[Zoner]

It turns out that it was the main power feed from the battery. It was giving 12v but when I wiggled the clamp end good, it broke off and blue corrosion was left where there should have been wire.

I cut off an inch and fed it through the inside of the clamp and its got enough wire to power it up for now.

Note that a 10 guage wire doesnt work to bypass the battery cable. I tried to test if that would get it started, but I guess it wont carry enough juice.

[churky89]

Maybe better get some NEW cables???
If I have to change out a battery,and any of the cables look like they have ANY corrosoin I don't mess around,I take the bad one and toss it.I try check all the electrical crap under the hood as much as possible.
When I buy the new cables,I buy the ones with the clamp built into the cable.
The quick terminals that bolt on are good for emergencey use BUT I don't leave them on permanantly.They will loosen up and this can cause more problems.

[Hawaiian Style]

Cool, sounds like you're back on the road. :yelclap:

[Zoner]

Yeah, its running good again.

Of course I want to do it right and replace the cable, but they arent available at your local autoparts store. Even one notch up, like Napa doesnt carry it. I have to wait until I can get down to the dealer so I can pay alot for 36" of 4 guage wire with a special little end at the starter side..

:wierd:

[daedgewood]

Speaking of bad cables, I had a Fiat... LMAO ... once and burned out two clutch cables. Didn't see that the ground cable had disinegrated at the body, hiding under the batt. out of sight and the dadgum thing used the clutch cable for a grounding wire while starting.

[dizzymac]

check out 5-90's site for new cables, made from welding cable and less expensive than OEM.

[87manche]

check out 5-90's site for new cables, made from welding cable and less expensive than OEM.
link? I need to redo all the battery/primary wires in the MJ.

[dizzymac]

www.geocities.com/JeepI6Power