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Dead, push started, drove home, now fine...

954 views 9 replies 9 participants last post by  aikmanson 
#1 ·
First of all, I've done the search and can't find my answer. Been reading for well over an hour.

History--battery replaced in September '12, ignition switch replaced day after Christmas '12

Problem--Got in to start this morning at work and it was dead. Lights fine, no dimming, radio working, etc. Looks like all is normal but nothing... no clicks, just dead. Had some buds push me on flat ground, they push slow but they're old (so am I), popped it, drove it home. Cut it off and now it WILL crank, just like normal. Starter is fine also, had it checked. I

Why? Any ideas? Just in case this happens again....

Thanks.
 
#5 ·
Similar issue with mine except it's still not turning over. It must be an electrical issue I just haven't narrowed it down yet. Here's what I've done.

Check fuses relays and connections
Check grounds
Check battery voltage
Clean battery posts/ replace cables
Check starter is getting power
Check clutch/neutral safety switch
Check/ replace crankshaft sensor.
Check Computer
 
#6 ·
You may have a loose transmission cable. Sometimes whenever I park on a slope or hill my jeep won't crank in park. I turn the key and everything works electrically but there is no response from the engine turning over or anything. This is a result of your engine thinking your vehicle isn't in Park when it really is. This is bypassed simply by putting the jeep in neutral and it cranks perfectly fine so im in no desire to fix it haha this only happens like three times a month

And I use to have to give the jeep a push from the back while in park and I hear a click then the jeep starts fine but once I figured out it can be cranked in neutral I never have to push it
 
#7 · (Edited)
When the battery is that new with those symptoms, that sounds more like simply dirty, corroded, or simply loose/worn battery connectors.

Don't just look at your battery connections & think they are ok if you don't see anything obvious. For the problem you asked about, I would physically remove both battery connections & wire brush both the connectors and the battery posts until they are bright & shiney clean, then securely/tightly reconnect them back onto the battery posts. Then see if you can move or rotate either connector with your hand. If you can, tighten it some more. If it moves but you can't tighten it any more, it is worn & needs to have some material removed so it can fit tightly again. Remove the connector and remove 1/16" to 1/8" of material from both sides of the gap in the connector that the bolt clamp squeezes together. Use a Dremmel tool or a hacksaw, it's only lead that you are cutting. That will make a loose (worn) battery connector fit tightly again by allowing the bolt to pull the connector gap more closely together.
 
#8 ·
I agree with Jerry. I had a similar issue with my Mustang. The metal clamp on my cable was cracked, and you could not tell. It would start fine. After I drove it around and shut it off, I would have to wait a hour or so for it to start again. The metal clamp was expanding from the heat caused by the bad connection. Check all your cables and connections and clean them like Jerry said. Bad connections cause heat. Heat cause corrosion and expansion.
 
#9 ·
Could also be a starter on its way out. I had one get to the point where every once in a while it just stopped working. Usually a few taps with a hammer would get it to work again.
 
#10 ·
Peepers said:
Could also be a starter on its way out. I had one get to the point where every once in a while it just stopped working. Usually a few taps with a hammer would get it to work again.
X2 I'm on the starter bandwagon. One time on my Saab I had the same issue as you, tapped the starter with a hammer, nothing. Pop started it and drove her home. Took the starter out and hooked it to a power source, it worked. Put it back in and drove it that way for years. Sometimes starters hang up, if a good hammer won't get then going, sometimes removing and reinstalling will.

However, it could very well be a bad ground.
 
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