A few weeks ago I stopped my ragged '82 CJ7 at the gas station, filled up, then went to start, and it cranked maybe one rotation and stopped.

It hasn't cranked since. I can crank manually with a socket wrench, but all I get when I turn the key is the starter solenoid making a noise. I like to throw replacement parts at my Jeep because most parts there are either really old, rusted, or both. So after taking apart the starter and seeing that much of the inner contacts were almost gone, I replaced that, then I replaced the solenoid and the 2 gauge wire from the solenoid to the starter, and it's still not cranking.

I'm pretty sure it's electrical, because a measure of what voltage is hitting the starter is basically nil. My major question, before I go undoing all the wiring wraps and such, is could the ignition module be a cause?

Also, from what I've been reading, the ignition module is under the radiator reservoir for a lot of jeeps, but (if I'm looking at the right thing) mine is near the starter solenoid.

Any info yall could provide would be great.

-Ron <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

Does it CLICK at the solonoid? If yes then clean battery terminals.. Getting the engine to turn over is a simple thing.. You need a good battery good cables a solonoid and a starter that is grounded good.. Do not forget the battery to engine ground.. If all of the above are in good condition take the starter and solonoid back and get em replaced or checked..
My first check would be to turn on the headlights and try to start her looking to see if the lights go out... If so replace the battery..
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

I had read that if the headlights dim while trying to start then the battery needs replacing, and that does happen, but when I try to get a jump from my wife's car, it still won't start... not even the slightest budge of the starter. I haven't tried since replacing the solenoid and starter, but I can try that tonight. Never know, it could have been a combo-problem.
Also, the click at the solenoid is a click then kind of a whiney annoying sound.
If that's all there is to it, then I'll return the ignition module I bought and get a new battery. I know I need a new one anyways, just didn't think that would cause a jump to not start me as well. I also don't really want to redo the wiring if I don't have to. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks BigJim!

-Ron <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

Hey Wax, disconnect the cable from your battery and connect the jumper cables coming from your wifes car to your jeep's cable bypassing your battery all together.

I'll give it a shot.

BTW, last night I tried jumping it with the new solenoid and starter. Same thing. The solenoid makes a lot of noise, but still no starter movement. I tried checking the voltage going to the starter a couple times before and it was something on the order of .02 volts...

-Ron

Really sounds like a bad ground or connection from the battery. Check all the ground wires and power wires connections. If you're only getting .02 volts to the starter the solenoid wouldn't have enough power to make noise. Make sure your meter is set on DC volts, if it's on AC it'll give you a false reading.

I'm sure it's on DC, and I've measured with the pos at the solenoid where it outputs to the starter, neg grounded, and with the pos at the starter (replaced the solenoid to starter wire, so I wanted to make sure it wasn't that).

I'll check grounding tonight to be sure, tho I did do some various jumpering at one point to try to eliminate stuff like that. I think I did neg battery terminal to engine block, but not sure.

-Ron <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

Pull the ground bolt to the engine and sand the engine surface and reapply the ground bolt..
If the battery is NOT grounded directly to the engine... You will not get enough ground to run the starter... Put it back where it belongs.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

one way to do it is find anouther battery ( say out of the wifes car, but you did not hear my say that <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />) that way you know the battery is good. put it in the jeep and try it . i have seen some vehicles not want to jump with jumper cables . just something to try!!!
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I see it all the time. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />