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Starter Issue

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by windyhill, Sep 8, 2020.

  1. Sep 8, 2020
    windyhill

    windyhill Sponsor

    PA
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    Nov 4, 2006
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    1,502
    Trying to get my Dad's 67 running again.
    cranked for a bit, then stopped. just got a loud click click so figured starter was bad.
    Son put a new starter on , and nothing. not even a click. Put a charger on the battery over night, next day hit the switch and started right up! figured great, problem solved. pushed it out of the garage and went to start it for a test drive and nothing again! no click nothing. Battery is reading 12.9 after sitting over night so no issue there. any thoughts or ideas?
     
  2. Sep 8, 2020
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
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    All the connections clean and tight? Starter solenoid?
     
  3. Sep 8, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Prestotlite or Delco starter?

    Voltage does not tell you much about a battery. I'd look to bypass the solenoid and see if the starter motor spins.
     
  4. Sep 8, 2020
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    And/or then try a known good battery, or at least check the voltage while cranking.

    Could easily be a hinky connection too. Check both ends of both battery cables.
     
  5. Sep 8, 2020
    windyhill

    windyhill Sponsor

    PA
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    Battery cables are new, starter is new, It's just weird how it worked perfectly for a min then nothing. I guess I'll start checking all the connections again.
     
  6. Sep 9, 2020
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I live South of...
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    Check your grounds, battery to block, block to frame, frame to body. Then Positive to battery, battery to solenoid, solenoid to starter. Somewhere something is dirty.
     
  7. Sep 9, 2020
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
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    We know the starter will not turn if the solenoid won't make internal contact (click) so start there with troubleshoot. Put test light on I terminal of solenoid and see if it lights up when key turned to start. If not then just work backwards toward ign switch.
     
  8. Sep 9, 2020
    dozerjim

    dozerjim Member

    western New York
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    Nov 22, 2010
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    I have a similar issue on a sbc in my willys pu....it will start perfect for months,then out of the blue nothing.turn the key on shows 12 volts hit the starter not even a click.I have cleaned every connection and it starts,sometimes just wiggle a cable it starts,never know what will work,sometimes just repeated hitting start button will work:banghead:....thinking of replacing the cables :shrug:
     
  9. Sep 9, 2020
    jeepdaddy2000

    jeepdaddy2000 Active Member

    Eagle Point oregon
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    Jun 24, 2004
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    V6?
    They have been known to have an issue with starter engagement.
    I solved the problem by installing a Ford solenoid on the fender back in the 90's and that fixed it.
     
  10. Sep 9, 2020
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    with test light on start wire on solenoid . when you hit key
    does it light .
    will it crank with a remote starter button or screwdriver
     
  11. Sep 9, 2020
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Possibly bad brushes in the starter, even the new one.

    Try a jumper right to the starter stud from the battery. (Transmission in neutral!)
     
  12. Sep 10, 2020
    kenb

    kenb Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult

    Detroit
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    Suggest you remove battery and take it to an auto parts store. They can load test the battery and tell you if it's good or not. Doesn't cost anything and could help diagnose. In my experience charging a bad battery can give you a good voltage reading even though it can't handle a load. Batteries do weird things when they go bad.
     
  13. Sep 10, 2020
    Steve Wilkerson

    Steve Wilkerson New Member

    Southern Illinois
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    I recently had a similar problem with my 1971 V6 Cj5. It was the ignition switch. Sometimes it would work, other times click click. Sometimes nothing at all when I turned the key. I used a mechanics remote starter button clipped onto the starter solenoid terminals to help diagnose the problem. After replacing the ignition switch, I took the old one apart. They are pretty weak.
     
  14. Sep 10, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    I'd be looking at the soleniod, but a test light/volt meter and known-good battery are a must.
    -Donny
     
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