90 YJ starter whining help

nuverc · 09-08-2012, 02:53 PM

Hey guys,

I have a 1990 4.2 YJ that died on me the other day and would not restart.

When I try to crank it, it doesn't turn over, it almost acts like it wants to for a second then it just makes this whining/screaming noise. Maybe like the starter isn't engaging the flywheel?

I had my starter checked at Autozone and the gear is popping out like it should. It doesn't make the clicking sounds that I've read about with other starter issues, it's just screaming when I try to start it.

Any recommendations?

I can take a video of the sound if that would be beneficial.

Thanks,

Will

Devil_dog16 · 09-08-2012, 03:59 PM

my 90 yj recently had damage done to the teeth on the starter and flywheel so whenever i turned the key all that happened was the gear on the starter rubbed up against the flywheel, not making enough contact to turn over the engine, just make a loud noise. had to replace starter and flywheel because damage was to bad

nuverc · 09-10-2012, 11:34 AM

Any other suggestions as to what I can try next in the troubleshooting process?

Should I replace the starter?

Nerfz · 09-10-2012, 12:10 PM

Long shot but mine did that after I dropped a new engine in and a ground got knocked loose..The negative on the battery also needed cleaning...

brk913 · 09-10-2012, 02:12 PM

Will it start if you jump it from another vehicle? If not and it's a high pitched electrical whine you should make sure the engine will turn over, put a socket on a breaker bar. Put it on the crank pully and make sure the engine turns. If it does make sure your battery has a good charge and make sure all your cable connections are clean and tight.

nuverc · 09-11-2012, 08:46 AM

I replaced the starter last night, same sound. I watched the fan as I tried starting it and it's spinning, even during the whining. I could actually pull the belt connected to the crank shaft and turn it an inch at a time by hand.. (compression issue?). Tonight I'm going to try and jump it from another vehicle and check the ground if I can find it.

nuverc · 09-12-2012, 10:28 AM

Tried jumping it, tested for spark, made sure it's getting fuel. Nothing changes.

Ground from battery to firewall is still connected...

Not really sure what else to test.

This is a video of what it sounds like...

YouTube

brk913 · 09-12-2012, 10:37 AM

Well, it's turning over, that's for sure so you can stop looking at the battery cables, starter and such. Now you need to check 3 things, check this first because that just doesn't sound right turning over, timing chain, pull valve cover and make sure rockers are going up and down when you turn it over, if they don't move you either snapped your chain or your cam. If they all move next check to see if your chain jumped a tooth, you will test this by using your timing marks and setting it for TDC and checking the position of one of the valves, do a little Googleing for exact directoins on this. If that all checks out it's either no fuel or no spark, one other thing you might want to check is the distributor, take off the cap and make sure the rotor spins when you crank it over...

nuverc · 09-21-2012, 08:46 AM

So... I believe I have finally isolated the issue to no spark. I disconnected my spark plug cables and tried to start, it is the exact same noise and behavior. I took off my distributor cap and had someone watch it, They said it looks like there was tension when it was trying to turn, but it did fully turn when trying to start it. Pulled the distributor out and the shaft/bottom teeth look fine.

Not quite sure if it's the distributor itself or something came/gear/thing whatever it's called internally.

Also, I have the HEI performance distributor.

Old4X · 09-21-2012, 08:58 AM

Seeing as it is a self contained HEI, just power it up from a battery, install a spark tester (after grounding the other 5 terminals) and spin the shaft. Should spark, if not, disassemble and replace the blown part/parts.

brk913 · 09-21-2012, 10:41 AM

I am going out on a limb and saying it is not a no spark issue, if you already put the distributor back in just unplug one of the wires and either put a plug in it or hold a screwdiver in it near ground, have someone crank the key and watch for spark. If it was a no spark or no fuel issue it would sound normal when turning over it just wouldn't start. If you don't want to pull the valve cover take off the biggest grommet on the top and look in and see if the rockers are moving up and down when you turn it over. As I said if they are not then you either broke your timing chain, cam or crank gear (unlikely) or the cam itself (also unlikely). That engine to me sounds like it is turning over way to easy to be turning the top end of the engine.

Mark05059 · 09-21-2012, 10:51 AM

if the distibutor isnt turning you got something broken somewhere.

brk913 · 09-21-2012, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark05059

if the distibutor isnt turning you got something broken somewhere.

He stated that it is turning, of course he also said it looked like there was "tension on it" not sure how one could see that, I think it's the timing chain, either broke or jumped a tooth on the gear...

Hillbilly Jeep · 09-21-2012, 12:01 PM

it dont sound like its turnin over very well imo...did u pull the inspection cover on the flywheel and see if its missing teeth?

brk913 · 09-21-2012, 12:04 PM

Sounds to me like it's turning over to fast, like it is not spinning the cam...wish I was not 2000 miles away or I'd look at it for the OP...