Starter issues

[KarlVP]

My TJ is pissing me off.

Most of the time, it will start up just fine and have no issues. But sometimes, the starter will engage, crank the motor a few times, and then "freespin" if you want to call it that. Like it isn't engaging the flywheel. Then you hit the key a few times and it spins, and grabs once power is removed. Once it has done this, it continues the vicious cycle until it eventually blubs the motor to life. (After about 20 tries)

I have dual optimas and the house battery is on it's last legs. It does crank the motor, but slowly. Normally, it will start the jeep on it's own. Sometimes, when it is cold, I have to kick on both batteries to get it started, and that is when the problems start happening.

Is this starter failure? Or maybe the house battery "takes over" once it thinks the engine is running and then kills it? It's just weird.

 

[Not Jobless]

My TJ is pissing me off.

Most of the time, it will start up just fine and have no issues. But sometimes, the starter will engage, crank the motor a few times, and then "freespin" if you want to call it that. Like it isn't engaging the flywheel. Then you hit the key a few times and it spins, and grabs once power is removed. Once it has done this, it continues the vicious cycle until it eventually blubs the motor to life. (After about 20 tries)

I have dual optimas and the house battery is on it's last legs. It does crank the motor, but slowly. Normally, it will start the jeep on it's own. Sometimes, when it is cold, I have to kick on both batteries to get it started, and that is when the problems start happening.

Is this starter failure? Or maybe the house battery "takes over" once it thinks the engine is running and then kills it? It's just weird.

Sounds like you have a couple of issues.

Shitty battery and

your starter solenoid, the part that plunges it towards and engages the flywheel has turned to **** as well.

One thing to check before replacing the starter is the relay in the fuse box/power distribution box under the hood.

 

[79chevy39.5's]

my starter did this to me but my batery was still fairly new, when i took my starter in they said that the starter was takin too much juice to start so all the power was goin to the starter motor not the solenoid. new starter will cure the problem

 

[skrause]

Bendix spring broken? If the motor is spinning then the solenoid is fine, it's what powers the motor and pushes the bendix out.

 

[KarlVP]

New starter... $109.

Rebild kit ... $15

New solenoid... $79. <----- :wtf:

 

[JOOP]

Starter is toast. Go buy a lifetime warranty one from a parts store so if it happens again it doesn't cost you anything.

 

[KarlVP]

Bendix spring broken? If the motor is spinning then the solenoid is fine, it's what powers the motor and pushes the bendix out.

I dunno though, cause it works fine most of the time. The motor does spin all the time, but the starter drive gear only seems to extend when it wan'ts too. Then it will crank the motor for about 2 seconds, then go back to "free spin"

 

[NotMatt]

your starter solenoid, the part that plunges it towards and engages the flywheel has turned to **** as well.

I'm going with this one. Be careful with this too because you will be wearing the teeth down on your flywheel as well if it's engaging only part of the way.

 

[skrause]

I dunno though, cause it works fine most of the time. The motor does spin all the time, but the starter drive gear only seems to extend when it wan'ts too. Then it will crank the motor for about 2 seconds, then go back to "free spin"

Hence my suspicion that the problem is the bendix. Then again I'm going off of knowledge of ND/Toy starters so I don't know if yours is any different...

 

[Hip]

i think it will be the teeth on the starter motor being chewed up at the ends. or maybe the flywheel teeth same situation. maybe both

so starter solenoid sends the bendix out to engage but it cant cause the teeth and all messed up so it retracts and spins. once in a while you hit it just perfect so it goes right in.

when replacing starter turn the engine over by hand and inspect the flywheel teeth and remove any burrs before installing new or it will happen again.

 

[GaryTJ]

i think it will be the teeth on the starter motor being chewed up at the ends. or maybe the flywheel teeth same situation. maybe both

so starter solenoid sends the bendix out to engage but it cant cause the teeth and all messed up so it retracts and spins. once in a while you hit it just perfect so it goes right in.

when replacing starter turn the engine over by hand and inspect the flywheel teeth and remove any burrs before installing new or it will happen again.

Starter is failing for sure. and Hip, you are right on checking the teeth on the flywheel. Remember that a 4 cyl will only stop on 2 spots on the flywheel. (6 cyl - 3, and v-8 - 4) so be sure if you find any, check 180 from that spot also.

 

[junkyard jim]

Make sure it isn't just the starter coming loose. Pretty common on all years of Jeep.

 

[skrause]

Make sure it isn't just the starter coming loose. Pretty common on all years of Jeep.

Very good point, I've seen that happen on a few Toyotas too. Don't know why I didn't think of it. Gee, last time I saw this happen I said those exact same words. :haha:

 

[KarlVP]

Make sure it isn't just the starter coming loose. Pretty common on all years of Jeep.

Yeah, not the issue.

I'm gonna replace the starter tomorrow. Pretty sure that is the issue. Also on line to replace the "house" battery. I've got dual optimas with the super deluxe warranty from Autozone. Just cause I bitchslap them with my winch doesn't mean they aren't covered.

Free, new Optima here we come.

BTW, priced from Autozone they are $200!!! For a RED TOP!!!!