Starter wont start

[footman]

ok guys this one has me stumped.  Drove to work, went to start it to come home and the starter wouldnt turn over.  I've got full power to everything and was able to push start  it and drive home.  Once home I checked all connections and relays and all seem to be fine.  My thought was bad starter or solioid.  So I bought a new starter, hooked it up and nothing.  What do I look for now? 

[rocket]

loose battery cable, blown fuse, shorted wire to starter solonoid.  did you check for power to the solonoid (w/ key to start)?

[kirksjeep]

When you got the new one, did they test the old one?    My guess, starter solenoid is bad.  AT YOUR OWN RISK, jump across the starter solenoid with a screw driver that has a well insulated handle .   If the starter gets power, then the solenoid is bad.  Also check all your fuses and all of you electrical connections. 

Do you have an alarm on your Jeep that could have gone bad?  The starter disable for alarms is usually installed on the starter solenoid. 

Good Luck, electrical gremlins always suck.

[footman]

connections are ok.  I did end up jumping the solioid, starter is fine.  I installed the new starter also and that one didnt turn over.  I hear the relays clicking when I turn the key so I hve to beleive that there is something between the relays and solinoid?

[PaulW]

i assume since you said you push started it that it's a manual trans.  check the clutch lock out switch to make sure it's still mounted solid.  they have a tendency to come off of the mounts on yjs.  some jeeps didnt use one depending upon the year.  pm me if you cant figure it out.  i'm a retired master tech so if you cant figure it out, then i can probably find some time to come out and help ya.

[kirksjeep]

If you think it could be the Clutch safety soleniod, I know there is a way to insert a fuse and bypass the safety feature.  The procedure was in the owners manual of my wife's 98 TJ.  YJ's never had a safety switch.....they also never had air bags, anti-lock brakes, or anything all that safe .

[PaulW]

will this help??  for 94 yj 4.0 im just guessing the aplication since you forgot to mention it but if you give specifics then we can go from there. check for power at the starter signal wire.  if non-exsistant then back track from there.

[footman]

So I've got all those scematics from the factory manual its just that I dont really know how to use/read them and I really dont know how to properly use my voltmeter. 

[PaulW]

So I've got all those scematics from the factory manual its just that I dont really know how to use/read them and I really dont know how to properly use my voltmeter. 

call me if you need help.  electrical isnt as scary as people would think.

[PaulW]

now that i know it's a 99 from our conversation earlier.....here's the diagram for your 99.

[rocket]

have you checked your battery connections?

[footman]

Do you know how to test if the clutch pedel position sensor is good

[rocket]

Do you know how to test if the clutch pedel position sensor is good

put an ohm meter on both ends of the switch.  puch the clutch.  if reading goes from infiinity (usually a -0 on a digital meter) to zero, it works.

[footman]

Paul, much thanks for coming over and finding my electrical gremlin. 

[kirksjeep]

What was the problem?  If you look at the diagram the block on the left side, second from the top...labeled fuse block.  If you look in the owners manual it will tell you the fuse number, but if you insert this fuse it will bypass your clutch switch safety feature.  More importantly it will allow the starter motor to pull you up a short hill if the engine won't start.  Just remember you disabled a safety feature and make sure your Jeep is in neutral/ or you step on the clutch before you start it.