When I turn the key the car will not start,it makes no sound and starter won't engauge

320

Asked by wellsuited2 Jul 30, 2013 at 12:17 PM about the 1987 Jeep Cherokee

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have replaced the ignition switch and relay on hot lead from the battery. No change, and the starter doesn't in gauge. The battery is brand new. I'm at loss on how to proceed. I brought a McNally repair book but its so generic its almost use less.

16 Answers

the ground connection to the block (near the alternator) needs to be looked at...we are working with over 300 cold cranking amps here...a smaller wire will simply catch on fire...assure the big hunkin' lug that connects to the frame/chassis has been wirebrushed down to metal...here and the one that goes to the engine block...both are key...the starter itself gets it's ground from bolting to the bell housing...if corrosion is stopping the amperage from getting thru should use a coarse wirebrush to clean all surfaces for the amperage needed~

27 people found this helpful.

by relay you mean starter solenoid? this one slams into two contacts to allow the 300+ amps to get pulled thru for the startermotor~

10 people found this helpful.
320

The jury is out for deliberations and will submit a judgment after trying the Judges advise, there will be no impeachment, only " HANGINGS '" J/Roy!

3 people found this helpful.
19,985

the silver box on pass. side of eng. compartment is the starter relay. If your vehc. has auto trans. the problem may be the range switch on pass. side of trans. Will it start in the neutral position? If so this is the problem. Does the silver box click w/you try to start it? Hope this helps......

27 people found this helpful.
250

We just had new switch out on bought new starter in June now my jeep wont start lights come on dash wont start any ideas what wrong

18 people found this helpful.
250

We had new ignition switch pit on new starter in June run good til now wont start any help

7 people found this helpful.
220

i got the same issue drove to the store started an then the key wont work I can turn it over by screwdriver on the starter I checked fuses an every thing only thing I can fig is a wireing or some sort

22 people found this helpful.
40

I have a 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee it will turn over but not start and it has a key on my dashboard what could it be

4 people found this helpful.
40

I have same issue,key on dash with a circle like a no u turn over lighted key sign. I changed lock key cylender,because the person I bought it from lost key. I can crank at silinoid, but car trys to move like in drive even in neutral,when I push gas it shuts off. Any idea why this is happening? Could it be the key should have a chip?

4 people found this helpful.
150

Hello Jeep people as someone who has put nearly 3k into solving these problems I have solutions for you. First thing you need to do is check your engine codes, this is done by turning the key from on to run position three to five times depending on year. The check engine light will then flash in a double digit sequence followed by 55 defining the end of sequence, from here it will be easy to diagnose, unless of course you just get 55... in this case go in this order, first of all check your fuse box, codes can be somewhat iffy on if they will appear for this, next check your connection to your starter if everything is good there, then buckle up cause there is only one other cheap issue possible, your cps. It’s a small best located at the underside of your car at the back of the engine bay, it’s a cheap replacement that can solve the issue and codes only work sometimes for it. If this doesn’t work it’s either your starter or your CPU both are expensive and a pain in the a** to replace. Hope this helps

15 people found this helpful.
70

,when starting my 2001 grand jeep Cherokee. I have to lift the hood and crank it with the relay switch.

7 people found this helpful.

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