Topic: Electrical problem?

[Rat Patrol]

I did a tune up my 95 wrangler today. After completing the job I attempted to start the engine... NOTHING. It was almost like the battery was not hooked up, except the radio would play and the lights worked fine. There was no drain on the lights when I tried to start the engine, so I ruled out a weak battery. Has anyone out there had this problem or know of a solution?

[Islander]

I did a tune up my 95 wrangler today. After completing the job I attempted to start the engine... NOTHING. It was almost like the battery was not hooked up, except the radio would play and the lights worked fine. There was no drain on the lights when I tried to start the engine, so I ruled out a weak battery. Has anyone out there had this problem or know of a solution?

What exactly did you do during your tune up?

[Rat Patrol]

I changed the plugs, wires, rotor button, and distributor cap.

[Islander]

Double check and make sure that you got everything back together correctly - it would make sense that something didn't get hooked up or made it's way loose.  If your 100% sure everything is installed correctly, it may be some of your new parts being bad from supply.

[SMC4WD]

This was a day ago??  Got it fixed yet?

If it's an automatic, are you sure it's in park?  Is the starter solenoid clicking or the relay making noise?

Good luck with it...

[Islander]

Good point about the auto tranny - I hate to admit it, but I sat in a gas station for about 10 min once trying to figure out why I couldn't get my old ladies car to start when we first bought it (it was an auto and I drove a standard - it was in drive when I cut it off and pulled the e-brake)

[Rat Patrol]

My YJ has a manaul trans. Everything worked fine when I pulled it into the garage. After changing the plugs, wires, rotor button, and dist. cap, I tried to start it to "admire" my work. When I turned the key it did nothing... no starter noise or anything. It was as though there was no electricity going from the ignition switch to the starter. When the ignition switch was turned on the radio would play but the starter would not turn. I have checked the fuses and everything looks fine. I am starting to think it may be the Ignition switch.

[jackhammer]

on a jeep can you do the old trick with a screw driver touching the posts on starter while someone turns the key?

[Jeffy]

Jumping the terminals would help you isolate the problem.  If it doesn't cause the starter to turn on then it's most likely the starter.  You might try smacking the starter with a hammer.  If the starter does work then it would be something in the ignition or dash.

I'd disconnect the coil when jumping the terminal since you don't want to start the Jeep.

[jackhammer]

That trick got me out of an impound yard when I moved and the neihbors didnt know where the rusted out K-5 came from.  They changed their story after I plowed them all out that winter though.hahaha

[yellowta]

Can't say it will work, but have you checked your fuses? I had the starter fuse blow on me once. It gave me hell trying to figure out what was wrong!

[Rat Patrol]

Thanks for all of the information. The starter turned when I jumped the terminals so I got back in and tried the ignition switch, and what do you know, it fired right up. I guess there may be a dead spot in the starter :?. Does this sound right to you guys?

[Jeffy]

Just keep an eye on the starter for a while.  Probably be ok.

[jackhammer]

The old screw driver trick never stops amazing me.

[SMC4WD]

It may surprize you just how easy it is to clean up the Jeep starters.  I don't mean disassemble the motor, but cleaning up between the solenoid and motor, all the connections and such isn't that huge of an undertaking.