1996 jeep Cherokee classic 2wd help

bspitt

bspitt

Cajun in da Carolinas
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Straight 6

Wont start... battery checks good. Replaced starter...still no start...no clicking...nuttin

Alternator replaced about a year ago

Symptoms:
Will not jump start
After the battery is disconnected and reinstalled, all lights work...but once we try to start... everything shuts down...no lights, etc

Ideas? This is my 16 y/o jeep... I'm not a mechanic or mechanically inclined whatsoever.

Thanks
Brannon
 
Either bad connections, no current flow thru the post/cable leads or a bad ignition switch, electrical part not the mechanical part
 
I had this problem once - intermittently - with a Jeep Comanche (pickup version of your car). Battery tested fine but sometimes the electrics would be dead as a doornail; not a flicker nor a peep. Nearly drove me crazy trying to diagnose it. Long story short, it turned out that one of the battery terminal posts had developed an open circuit inside the battery. My clue was seeing the post rotate slightly when wiggling the cable. Sometimes it made contact and worked fine; sometimes not. This is unlikely to be your problem, and it's not specific to any vehicle, but if all else fails, check for it. It could be a problem - it was once for me.
 
Just for mu curiosity.....if its Auto....try shifting the transmission to neutral, then starting it.


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Try wiggling battery terminals or clean them. Sounds like a loose or dirty connection if all lights go out when you try to start it.
 
bspitt said:
After the battery is disconnected and reinstalled, all lights work...but once we try to start... everything shuts down...no lights, etc
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IMO, this symptom rules out wiring problems and connection problems (except for the one you're dis-/connecting, I suppose - highly unlikely imo). This symptom makes me suspect the ECM first.

-- smartypants answer:
1996 jeep Cherokee classic 2wd help
bspitt said:
This is my 16 y/o jeep
Click to expand...
Hmm ... maybe the missing eight years have something to do with it? :D
 
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JT said:
IMO, this symptom rules out wiring problems and connection problems (except for the one you're dis-/connecting, I suppose - highly unlikely imo). This symptom makes me suspect the ECM first.

-- smartypants answer:
1996 jeep Cherokee classic 2wd help

Hmm ... maybe the missing eight years have something to do with it? :D
Click to expand...
...my 16 y/o son's jeep
 
JT said:
IMO, this symptom rules out wiring problems and connection problems (except for the one you're dis-/connecting, I suppose - highly unlikely imo). This symptom makes me suspect the ECM first
Click to expand...

ECM does not control the lights or starter circuit on this vehicle.

Battery connectors first suspect...
 
Pull apart and clean connections. If still nothing try jumping the solenoid on the starter. If she spins problems in the ign switch/relays, if no spin cables/connection/starter.

Oh yeah if standard trans triple check it's in neutral and brake set. HS friend spent hours pinned between cars and years in rehab, could've been worse.
 
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Beef15 said:
Pull apart and clean connections. If still nothing try jumping the solenoid on the starter. If she spins problems in the ign switch/relays, if no spin cables/connection/starter.

Oh yeah if standard trans triple check it's in neutral and brake set. HS friend spent hours pinned between cars and years in rehab, could've been worse.
Click to expand...
It's an auto transmission.

How do I jump the solenoid?
 
1996 wasn't the best year for the XJ. I own a 2001 and frequent NAXJA (North American XJ Association). It honestly sounds like a ground problem. Check all of your ground straps, disconnect and clean the contact points.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f30/engine-ground-firewall-130071/index2/

This is from the Cherokee forum. See post 20.

Also is your key grey? Serious question.
 
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bspitt said:
Black
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Ok, you don't have to worry about the security lockout.

Battery and all grounds. Possibly alternator. Focus on these. An Xj doesn't like low voltage at all.

Just because a battery checks out good doesn't mean it's actually good. Was a proper battery check done or did you just put a volt meter on it? If it were mine and the battery was older than 2 years, I'd replace the battery, check and clean all grounds. Then test the alternator.
 
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Do you have a multimeter and know how to use it? That would really help narrow things down pretty quickly.Even a circuit tester with a light bulb would really help.
 
Scrubber3 said:
Ok, you don't have to worry about the security lockout.

Battery and all grounds. Possibly alternator. Focus on these. An Xj doesn't like low voltage at all.

Just because a battery checks out good doesn't mean it's actually good. Was a proper battery check done or did you just put a volt meter on it? If it were mine and the battery was older than 2 years, I'd replace the battery, check and clean all grounds. Then test the alternator.
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My son took it to advance auto...they said it was good. If battery or alternator.... it should still jump right?
 
bspitt said:
It's an auto transmission.

How do I jump the solenoid?
Click to expand...
Should have a big post with a POS battery cable going to it, and a small post with a wire that runs into the harness. Hook jumper wire to big post, touch to the small one.

And on thinking about this, if you have a helper or can put a test light where you can see it, check and see if the small wire is putting power to the solenoid when the key is turned, easier safer first step.
 
Messed with it very briefly last night... definitely a ground or battery issue. My son was at work and had key with him...therefore I could not try to crank it. However upon opening the door...no dome lights, headlights not working.
I inspected the grounds and jiggled the battery terminals and found nothing out of the ordinary.....but when opening the door again...dome light works and headlights work! Something has to be loose , not ground, or something.
 
bspitt said:
Messed with it very briefly last night... definitely a ground or battery issue. My son was at work and had key with him...therefore I could not try to crank it. However upon opening the door...no dome lights, headlights not working.
I inspected the grounds and jiggled the battery terminals and found nothing out of the ordinary.....but when opening the door again...dome light works and headlights work! Something has to be loose , not ground, or something.
Click to expand...

Replace the cable ends at the battery
 
Everything shuts down? I agree that it's likely a major power cable, ground or postive. Or, as mentioned, a broken battery post. The battery itself could be bad. How did you verify it was good?
 
Last time I had it happen was a year or so ago on our ‘05 Pilot. Simple fix was remove the battery cables, scrub the inside of each connector, and reattach. Haven’t had an issue since.

The only different symptom was we could jump it off and it would run.
 
The car is no start and no cranking correct?
You can make the starter run by the above described method to test it and no ignition key needed, but car will not start w/o the key.

Can you turn the crankshaft with a socket and breaker bar? Starter could be jammed to the flywheel.
Try removing the bolts to starter a few turns to get the starter loose and then retighten them.

Try using a battery from one of the other cars to see if it cranks. If not, then pull starter and have it tested at Autozone.
 
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