Strange no start, 88 Cherokee

Ok, why do my Jeeps always come up with the strange problems???

So my wife calls ands says she accidentally went to start our 88 Cherokee in gear and it bumped to take off but she shut it down before it could start.

Well, that was it, it is dead. I just had to go over to her work and we push started it so I brought it home.

It has 12.39V in the battery and only drops a couple tenths when you try the starter.

The starter solenoid is not getting power on the trigger wire according to my multimeter when the key is in start. I tried the grounds with booster cable, no joy, all the fuses seem fine, I played mix and match with all the relays near the battery, they appear fine.

Anyone got any guesses?

Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Reply to
Mike Romain
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Reply to
L.W.( ßill ) Hughes III

Maybe no 12 V to the ignition switch ... if accessories work then I'd say that's not the problem. So next imo would be the lead from the ignition switch to the starter relay. Since you've got no power at the starter relay then must be either the ignition switch or the lead from it.

Reply to
bowgus

Man do I hate salt, it eats everything!

The starter relay up by the battery doesn't put out to the starter solenoid. It has input and really corroded rivets that hold the spades on and one is arced. I am going to clean it and I inspected it inside, it is good, I will solder the rivets to give it a good connection again.

But even then putting power to the starter solenoid trigger only gave me some sparks, no starter turning... Grrr.

So my son pulls the starter out and we look at it and look and well, that big copper mesh cable from the solenoid to the inside of the starter has crystallized! It has literally crumbled to crumbs....

I used booster cables and got some power to it after the crumble and the starter spins up just fine....

I am going to open it up to replace the cable and clean or refresh what is needed like brushes while it's off.

Thanks for the ideas folks.

Man do I hate salt.....

Mike

Mike Roma>

Reply to
Mike Romain

You sure that's not the Newfie bogs still getting even with you? Ah! forgot, this is the XJ, not the CJ. Maybe it's catching?

Reply to
Will Honea

LOL!

Salt all the way. The complete bottom of the Cherokee is about finished because of it. Well I guess finished isn't the right word, it's just plain gone from the door sills down....

Mike

Will H>

Reply to
Mike Romain

Reply to
L.W.( ßill ) Hughes III

Yes, the rotted wire actually is part of the brushes so I am just going to put new brushes in it while it is open. They are fairly worn anyway. The rest of the starter is good.

Mike

"L.W.(ßill) Hughes III" wrote:

Reply to
Mike Romain

Reply to
Will Honea

My CJ7 was just like that. It was at the point where I had to have someone lift up on my rear tail light so I could close my door....

All fiberglass now and not only did I get looks using a come-a-long hooked to a big tree in my driveway to swap tubs and engines, they called the city several times. Got on first name basis with the guy, LOL! I was doing everything right.... His last trip was when they reported me for putting up my bug/rain tent over top of the CJ. He looked, laughed and said I wouldn't be bothered again.

I gotta get some floors into the Cherokee before my wife gets pulled over. If they lift the carpet they would freak. There is 'literally' nothing there.... Had a 'friend' mention once again yesterday he was coming by to put them in like he promised us last fall, so we can only hope....

Gotta make some rockers for it, I liked that rectangle tube someone posted about the other day. I will likely go that route if there is enough metal left there to weld to. Otherwise, steel reinforced fiberglass. 1" x 1/16" or so strapping sandwiched in glass will hold up nice and make the edge. I have a wire feed 'mig' welder so could angle two straps for a nice corner shape.

Mike

Will H>

Reply to
Mike Romain

Make it a Rocker Panel & Floor party in July lol Im still checking with the boss to ensure I can make it.

Snow...

Reply to
Snow

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