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CJ7 Won't Start

Drove my '85 CJ7 (4cyl) to work with no problems. 8 hours later I turn the key to go home and there's absolutely nothing. None of the gauges, no click - nothing. My foglights work, though, which are just straight wired from a separate switch to the battery, so the battery works (at least somewhat). I'm guessing it isn't the starter because there isn't even a click and none of the gauges move and the lights don't work. So I'm guessing it's an ignition wire, the computer, the ignition rod, or something like that? Where and what should I check for exactly?

Thanks!

Reply to
griffin
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I would follow the battery cable to the starter relay. That is the common point and is one that gets dirty easy.

First I would check the battery terminal clamps though. If you try it a couple times, one might get warm. If so, this would be the bad connection.

Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

griff>

Reply to
Mike Romain

I had a similar problem. turned out to be the moulded battery cable, it looked brand new but had broke off inside.

Reply to
Pi-Eyed Piper

You have to isolate the stuff that is different in the fog light circuit and the rest of the vehicle. My guess is you have a battery cable that is pretty much toast, EVEN IF IT LOOKS GOOD. My guess is that it is in bad shape where you can't see, typically this is where the cable meets the terminal, and the rubber shielding is covering the broken wires.

The ignition switch is mounted to the side of the steering column, and is operated by a rod that connects to the lock set inside the steering column. To gain access to the lock set, you have to remove the steering wheel and the shrouding, to get to the switch, you have to stand on your head and look up from the brake pedal.

Reply to
J Strickland

Griffin, Turning on your fog lights, or any other ancillary item on your Jeep for that matter, assures your battery is up to snuff. To be certain a 'specific gravity' reading will give you the story on each cell of your battery. The tester ussually has a good / fair / bad reading where the float raises too. Gas stations once had them before they all turned into party stores. Good luck, Steve

Reply to
popeyeball

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