Starter or Alternator?

[vajeeper]

When it rains it pours....:(

I attempted to crank up this morning and all I received was a clicking noise. It only clicked once. I tried jumping it off but to no avail. My radio came on and the gauges moved when I turned the key to try and crank it, but all I got was a single click.

:confused:

[trailsnail]

Sounds like the solenoid is bad for the starter. If you tried to jump it and nothing happened that would be my guess. You could try giving the starter a wack with a hammer, it might let you get a couple of more cranks out of it. If it was the alternator, it would likely die while driving. It is a simple fix to change out. If you know someone else with the same model jeep, you could try theirs in yours. That way you could rule out messed up wires.

[muddyluxury]

you can also take it to the chain auto stores and they should be able to test the starter for you before you go buyin a new one

[ETSubchief]

Since you have pwr, x2 on the solenoid, but could nt hurt to get the starter checked as well.

[theyeti1775]

If it's a manual roll start the heep.
If it starts it's the starter.

Had the same issue with our Samurai. Didn't replace the starter for what was it about 6 months. Thing was light enough I drove it every day and push started it, or parked appropriately on a hill.

To the alternator after you get it started disconnect the battery. If the alternator is good the engine will keep running.

Now everyone be shocked Yeti actually had some technical knowledge.

[irish1371]

I vote battery. I recently had the same thing. If I did a heavy jump(cables on for about 10 mins) it would start and run. If I charged over night it would run for a day. Turns out I had a couple bad cells in my battery and after a while they would allow the battery to discharge and act just like you are discribing

[texascj]

I'd check battery first too since it would be the easiest to take out, then work your way to the other components. If you do disconnect the alternator while its running, make sure you disconnect the positive terminal only or it will die. If it does die after the pos is taken off, the alternator is bad. And be sure you don't touch that terminal to anything negative. This little tidbit from a mechanic friend of mine about this technique...doing this on newer vehicles could cause damage to the computer. Be careful.

[vajeeper]

Thanks for the advice. It's in my driveway, dead as Dillenger so taking it to the auto store/shop is not an option as it will not crank at all. I will check the battery first and go from there.

[Jeffb_79]

I vote battery as well. Mine's died a few times now, same thing, clicking. Tried jumping with another vehicle and did no good after almost 20 minutes hooked up. Ended up calling a tow company to come out, the driver said he see's this all the time with jeeps. For some reason they won't always jump start off another car, don't know if it's crappy cables or not a strong enough power source. Either way, he got me started up in about 5 minutes.

[irish1371]

I find that when it is hard to jump(on jeeps) it is usually the main ground wire(at block) has become corroded or even fallen off. Jeep would run great once I did a roll start but would not jump. While trying to jump the jumpers would get VERY hot. Due to the fact that the main ground was disconnected from the block.

as you can guess I went thru a real joyfull peroid of electrical problems from hell
Once I traced the ground and saw it dangling I filled out my ID 10 T form and called it a day

[CJ Chet]

Try to disconnect the positive and jump it right to the cable. That eliminates the battery (and a possible shorted cell). If it starts, then get the battery checked. If it still does the same thing then move on, but at least you can eliminate the battery. Don't forgat to check your cables real good.

[Ghost00TJ]

I had a simalar prob and it eneded up being the battery, I worked at an Auto Zone between the Army and a contract job so Like said above
I know they will test all those for free and have descent replacements if needed. It is their policy to test before selling so not to rip you off.

No I have no affiliation to them anymore...

clean and spitshine all cable connections a bad ground or loose connector can be a source of your problems....

if you get it there they can test the bat and alt while still in the car.

good luck

[supr_fly03]

I am not here to say anyone is wrong, but if you disconnect the battery while the engine is running, you could very well fry the alternator or computer. Yeah I know sounds crazy, but hear me out and my ASE master mechanic background, the newer cars have the alternator controlled by the computer in many cases and by disconnecting the battery while running does make the electrical system run off of the alternator, it also spikes the amperage output on the alternator enough to where it will sometimes fry the regulator in the alternator or even fry the alternator control circuit inside the computer. It is your call on how much you got to spend on parts.

I just went through this with my wifes TJ, (turn the key, get a click, or no click with good battery voltage) I swapped the starter in it and it was fine. If you aren't sure, take the starter out and have it tested, it is easy to remove and install. Look at spending around a 100 bucks for one from a chain store.

[Dragline]

Do the easiest first, have the battery checked...