Starting issues...

Just bought a 1973 CJ5, and I'm pretty excited about it - my first Jeep. Runs strong, new suspension and rebuilt 304, but when I got it home (drove about 1 hour on the highway), I couldn't get it started again... So after trying to bypass the solenoid, I decided it seemed to be the starter, but replacing it didn't work.

I'm still getting a long dry-heave clicking when I turn the key.

Can someone help me troubleshoot the solenoid, or have any other ideas??? I'm stuck if its not the solenoid!

 

You have a delco starter and these delco solenoids require a lot of current to latch the solenoid. The small terminal in the solenoid marked "S" should have nothing smaller than a 10 ga. wire. Also the main ignition wire from the battery to the BAT terminal on the ignition switch should be 10 ga. These delco solenoids are notorious for being voltage/current sensitive. Or do you have the ford starter. At any rate check out what Patrick suggested first.

 

Check your grounds to the battery. Motor to frame and or motor to body or both.

 

I agree with all. I also would suggest the selinoids posts. MY jeep wouldnt start before, I just got the clicking you mention and found the post on the selinoid had worked a little loose. I tightend them up and problem solved. check all cable connections, batterie, starter, selinoid, alt. make sure the cables are not corroded.
If all good, then one of the cables may be getting extremely hot and on restart not enough current is supplyed. good luck.