Hi, my boyfriend and I have a 2002 Jeep Cherokee Limited Edition KJ and it's been having some issues with starting. When we first bought the car it was fine, and it has done over 200,000 k's. Now, when the car has been sitting for a while it will start fine, but after it's been driven, as soon as you try to start it, it doesn't start. There's no cranking or anything. There's a small clicking sound from the front of the car and that's it. Sometimes it'll do this once or twice before it starts, sometimes it won't start for a good few hours after sitting. The car has a new battery and all the lights and everything still work fine, it's just the issue with it starting and seems to be getting increasingly worse.

Is there a way that we can see what the issue is or possibly isolate the problem area? Worst comes to worse we'll see an auto electrician, but just wanted to see if there was anything we could do before forking out for that!

To me, what you describe sounds like a bad starter.

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U.S. Army Retired

The very next time it does that, tap on the starter with a hammer (medium force) if it immeadiately starts after that I would also suspect the starter. Mind you, it could also be the solenoid, as it heats up, from external heat provided by the engine, the contacts may be moving just far enough apart to not send enough current to the starter.

The other simpler thing to check, because you mentioned it has a new battery, is that the terminals are good and tight! You can try other things like swapping relays etc. You can also check (I don't believe this is an issue) that your alternator is supplying 14.1 volts to the battery while the engine is running.

Other than that.. Don't know what to tell you.

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2004 KJ 3.7 Limited:
IRO WJ Upper Arm -- WJ Rear LCA's -- Rear Driveshaft Spacer -- JBA Upper A Arms -- 4 inch Lift -- 265/75/16 4" B/S -- WasherBottle Relocate -- Custom High Mount Intake -- Carpet Delete -- Homebrew Winch Bumper -- Warn VR8000 -- Homemade Plow -- Pinch Weld POUNDED -- POR 15 inner fenders --

Also check the connections at the starter solenoid... BE CAREFUL.. There is a thick wire that is HOT AT ALL TIMES.. So disconnect the battery first.

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2004 KJ 3.7 Limited:
IRO WJ Upper Arm -- WJ Rear LCA's -- Rear Driveshaft Spacer -- JBA Upper A Arms -- 4 inch Lift -- 265/75/16 4" B/S -- WasherBottle Relocate -- Custom High Mount Intake -- Carpet Delete -- Homebrew Winch Bumper -- Warn VR8000 -- Homemade Plow -- Pinch Weld POUNDED -- POR 15 inner fenders --

I don't know if you guys solved this issue but I had this exact same issue with my '02 KJ after I bought it in May. Usually it would start after work but if I went for errands even if it only ran for 10-15 minutes it wouldn't start right up. It's most definitely the starter. Haven't had any issues since except for the fact that eventually I'll have to have my flywheel replaced since it does grind every 20 or so start ups. Runs like a top otherwise.


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'02 KJ Sport
Mopar hitch (recall install)
General Grabber 235/70R16 AT2's
No Name black steel bully bar
LED's all around-including headlamps