Won't start, need advice

jimaire · **Posted:** Thu Apr 01, 2010 6:41 pm

The engine started but only run 2 or 3 seconds before dieing. After a few starts, now the starter won't even engage. Well, it will occasionaly bump the engine about a half turn. Also the fuel guage doesn't move off of empty although it is full of diesel. I checked the fuses and relays and didn't find any burned out. Any ideas?

cerich · **Posted:** Thu Apr 01, 2010 7:27 pm

timing belt busted

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Thu Apr 01, 2010 7:47 pm

Dead Battery??

jimaire · **Posted:** Thu Apr 01, 2010 8:39 pm

Hot battery, starter was turning it good. How could timing belt break just sitting and how could that cause the fuel guage to stop working at the same time...could the computer go out and cause this?

jimaire · **Posted:** Fri Apr 02, 2010 6:30 am

Is there a fuseable link in line to the starter that is seperate from the fuse box?

racertracer · **Posted:** Fri Apr 02, 2010 6:34 am

Disconnect battery terminal for a few minutes, to let ECU Reset itself.

Recharge battery to full capacity.

Try restarting.

flash7210 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 02, 2010 8:16 am

Is there a little red light (a red dot) on the instrument cluster when you turn the key on?
That red dot means the security system doesn't recognize your key. When this happens your engine will crank and crank but wont start. The only fix (that I know of) is to have it towed to the dealer so a new key can be programmed.

It happened to me and it sucks, but thats all you can do.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Fri Apr 02, 2010 8:30 am

FYI - on the battery - Jeep electronics are weird - There is a difference between enough Current to turn the starter and enough Voltage to turn on the computer, add to that a different start/run circuits and it's possible to have the starter crank - but the computer turn off once the starter is released.

So make sure you need a stress test on the battery that insures you have enough voltage while it's drawing the starter current.

(and then you can move on to other troubleshooting)

jimaire · **Posted:** Fri Apr 02, 2010 3:17 pm

Flash, I think you are right. The red light is on. The battery is nearly new and hot..even put booster cables on it. It is definately an electrical or computer issue unless the starter has suddenly gave up.

cerich · **Posted:** Sat Apr 03, 2010 3:51 pm

jimaire wrote:

Flash, I think you are right. The red light is on. The battery is nearly new and hot..even put booster cables on it. It is definately an electrical or computer issue unless the starter has suddenly gave up.

soiunds like it, however at 120k get the belt changed. Others here have had it break

jimaire · **Posted:** Thu Apr 08, 2010 9:33 pm

Hauled it to the dealer. Talked to the mechanic today. He said his computer showed it could check everything inside the vehicle but didn't detect anything under the hood. He said the ecu, the transmission computer and everything else under the hood was dead. I told him it sounded like a common wire that supplies voltage to all of them had come loose or chewed into by a rat. He will be back working on it tomorrow..do ya'll have any ideas what might be wrong?

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Fri Apr 09, 2010 11:01 pm

if there are rodents around
they used enviro friendly peanut oil in the wiring looms..
someone had problems with squirrels.

racertracer · **Posted:** Sat Apr 10, 2010 3:28 am

Sounds electrical in nature. Check all wiring connectors, fuses, relays etc.

It seems that the issue your having has us all stumped.

jimaire · **Posted:** Sat Apr 10, 2010 10:07 pm

Mechanic said he found wires chewed. Has to remove brake booster, fuel filter head and another thing or two just to get to the damaged wiring. Estimate is $800.00 labor and the harness costs $1,025.00 if it has to be replaced. I hope my insurance pays for it. Still have a power steering hose leaking and the timing belt to change. After that three new tires and it will be ready to run or sell.

Won't start, need advice

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