Ok, think I found the problem. The cable from the pos(+) battery terminal to the starter solenoid was loose. So much I could turn the nut with my fingers. Got that tightened up and all should be ok.
Something Rich Hampel mentioned. I don't have a ground strap on my engine. Should I have a (was it 20 gauge) wire running from my starter pole to the battery ground connector? I only see one pole on the starter.
Thanks,
Bill
ABSOLUTLY not. that would be a diect short and smoke when you hit the starter. Just a good ground from the motor to frame and or from the battery ground to the motor or frame. john
Just what I was going to suggest you check. That flash you saw was an electrical arc at the battery post. There was enough of a connection to handle a low-amp draw like the relay, but not enough to handle the high-amp draw of the starter.
Your early 80s CJ-7 is pretty close to my `79 CJ-5. The ground points for mine (hi, Mike!!) are:
Battery (-) to engine block. On the 6-cyl the (-) battery cable goes to a bolt just behind the oil dipstick. (This takes care of your starter, BTW, no need for a seperate cable to the starter.) Engine block to frame, jumping around the left engine mount. (#2 cable with lug ends) Engine block at bell housing to firewall, a mesh strap. The strap attaches to the left-most heater box mounting stud, roughly the center of the firewall.
Other ground points for this series of CJ (may match others or not, I cannot say)
Headlights to grill, one each, to a screw just below the cold air intake flange. Underhood accessories (like windshield washer pump) to a screw in the firewall just outboard of the wiring harness bulkhead connector. Dash lights, to a screw near the light switch. Taillights, one each to a screw in the wheel well splash panel. Fuel gauge sender, to a screw in the frame member just for'd of the tank.
Hope this helps.
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