I have some sort of electrical and/or starting problem with my 2000 TJ, Auto, 4.0, 70,000 miles. I started it this morning (after sitting 3 weeks), no problem. Drove it 5 miles, parked for an hour, started it and drove 5 miles back home - no problems. It sat a couple hours, then I tried to start it again & my problems stated.
I turned the ignition key, heard one click from under the hood, then silence. I turned the key again and absolutely nothing. I have no electricity to the car at all. No radio, headlights, dome light, emergency flashers - nothing. The only power in the entire car is via an auxiliary DC outlet that's direct wired to the battery (for RV towing).
When I wait 30 minutes and try again, I sometimes get one click from under the hood - followed by no current throughout.
The battery is 6 months old, wires are tight, and it registers 12.5 volts. I see no loose wires around the starter solenoid. I looked at the fuses under the hood. The one labeled Starter seems fine (I checked it with an ohm meter).
Any suggestions on where to start? I'm thinking I have a starter problem (the first click) and a fuse problem (very uneducated guesses). Replacing the starter doesn't look too difficult, but I don't want to just start replacing parts with little confidence of the real problem(s).
Thanks,
Cliff