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Had a starting issue, fixed it but how to prevent it from happening again?

1K views 10 replies 8 participants last post by  mightymurph 
#1 ·
My ZJ was starting fine every day, no delay or struggle in the starter at all. I bought a new battery for it with 875 CCA installed it and it started up just fine as I thought it would.
The next day I tried firing it up and the starter wouldn't crank at all. Head lights came on, wipers worked and the fuel pump worked. I figured it was a bad starter motor relay so I switched it with my intermittent wiper relay and nothing, then switched it with my fuel pump relay and again nothing.

So I did a bit of reading and found that some people would arch(?) the 2 ends of the starer with the metal end of a screw driver and listen for the starter to turn. I tried that but I couldn't get a spark, I then tried bashing :mad: the starter with a hammer and by accident arched the 2 ends and heard the starter turn. So I figured well might as well try starting it now and it started just fine! So I shut it off and tried starting it a few more times and it starts fine every time.
So what the hell went wrong? :S
 
#2 ·
Which engine? ( please fill out your Jeep info on your profile)

I would start with looking at the connections. ( duh....I know....but it's a fact).
Your starter might be getting ready to "go" and never come back.
 
#4 ·
You have a "flat spot" in the starter motor - which is why smacking it with a hammer makes it work (impact will usually "get the starter off of the flat spot.")

It's a fairly common problem with intermittently used electric motors as they age - same thing happens with electric fans. Didn't you ever have a house fan that wouldn't start turning when you turned it on, but would go fine if you spun the blades a bit with a pencil? I have.

1) Carry a mallet (rubber, rawhide, wood, leather - not metal!) while you're waiting for the replacement to show up.

2) Bear in mind that, generally, the starter motor is mounted with 1x3/8"x16 screw and 1xM10-1.5 screw. Don't mix them up - keep track of which one goes where!

And the word you were looking for is "arc" - and "arch" is a structural or architectural design principle, often used to support a great weight. An "arc" is an electrical discharge, either through open air or through a conductor that isn't normally supposed to carry current...
 
#5 ·
The solonoid contacts are going bad. You either need to replace the starter or get a kit online to replace the contacts (it's really easy).
 
#6 ·
Thanks for the awesome reply's! I'm going to order a new starter motor from rock auto ASAP.
I see that they have some refurbs, but I'd rather buy one that's all new. They carry brands such as TYC, PURE ENERGY, ACDELCO and REMY. Anyone have any experience with these brands and can tell me which is best?
 
#7 ·
I'd like to help with which brand I bought, I don't remember. However, I think it was the AC Delco brand.

Hunter
 
#8 ·
ACDelco and Delco-Remy are made in the same factories - as I recall, the ACD is the new stuff and the D-R is the remanufactured. Both are good, in my experience.
 
#9 ·
I once worked in a parts store that did alt, starter, gen rebuilds for mining equipment. I remember the mechanics like the Delco parts because they were the easiest to repair. You'll pay a bit more for the AC Delco or Delco-Remy but you'll have less problems in the future.
 
#10 ·
X2 on starter going bad, carrying a hammer, and Delco.

Having a hammer in your vehicle is good practice anyway.
 
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