Driving around last night, I found my automatic door locks were cycling between locked and unlocked. This was also accompanied by the after market alarm system (which is also tied to the door locks)turning off and on (which makes sense because if the alarm is on, the doors are locked). I pulled into a parking lot to pull to fuse for the alarm system, hoping this would solve my problem. After pulling the fuse, I went to re-start my Jeep and absolutely nothing happened. There's power to the vehicle (all the lights and electrics work), but when the key is turned to start, nada. I was able to get it started by push-starting it and everything appeared to operate normally (the battery looked to be charging normally and the door locks/alarm system was behaving [becuase the alarm fuse was removed]). I'm hoping it's a matter of dirty battery terminals creating enough of a barrier that made my alarm system cut in and out and is preventing the starter from engaging. However, I was hoping that all you gracious people might be able to offer suggestions for trouble shooting/analyzing of this problem.

Please let me know if you have any tips for me!

I'll keep you updated on my progress.

As always, thanks in advance!
Dave

Will it start now with the fuse out? If not put it back in and see if it will start. I think it will and I think you may have a problem with your alarm.

Cheers,
RockJock <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I'll try putting all the fuses back in...cleaned the terminals this afternoon and no luck. However, as I raplidly cycle the ignition between start and on, about every third hit in the on position sounds like the starter spins ever so slightly. Possibly a bad starter solenoid?

Any troubleshooting advice is appreciated!

Dave

try checking the relays one may be stuck open or bad. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Sounds to me like you have a short between the ignition switch and the starter solenoid. So start by thr process of elimination. Most alarm systems have a starter disable feature. Since the alarm is on the fritz you may first want to chase down the ignition kill wire from the alarm box to the wire it's tapped into and remove it.

If that doesn't fix it then check the cable between the battery and the starter solenoid for and corrosion. Next check the battery by doing a gravity test on the eletrolyte in each cell. If all is OK there then consider drinking a beer. You are most likely going to be unbolting that starter to take to the autoparts store. Good luck!
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

ding! ding! ding! We have a winner..XJC, you were just about correct. I spoke with Car Toys (the guys who installed the alarm system) and learned just all that I had done wrong. The problem started because an alarm power wire corroded off the battery terminal. The back-up battery lasted as long as it could, but when it died, the door locks went on the fritz. Not knowing that was the case, I pulled the fuse to the alarm in hopes of preventing the door locks from cycling. In doing so, I triggered a response from the alarm that killed the starter.

A visit to Car Toys and about 50 bucks should get me back up and running!

Thanks to all for your help.

There is ANOTHER location on EVERY automobile to hook up the positive wire other than the battery itself.. NEVER allow the creeps to go to the battery with their wires!
Firstly it LOOKS LIKE CRAP and secondly it always does what yours did.
It is just easy for the creeps and they take advantage of the customer...
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Dave, glad to hear you found your problem. I like what BJ had to say about wiring directly to the battery; it does look like crap. I installed a multiple wiring stripe on the firewall to wire all my accessories. Looks need and keeps the corrosion minimal.

Glad to hear you got to the root of your electrical demon <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" /> Hope you the alarm's exorcism is complete! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" /> I once had a similar problem shortly after the I got this used car. Unfortunately it was a cheap aftermarket alarm and came without a manual for it. Off to the junk pile! Got a big dog to ride around with instead. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" />

Hey where is my pat on the back. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />