Hi everyone, I am new to these forums. I hate to say but this is my first post and I have a problem. I guess it isn't my problem, but it is my mothers problem. She has a 06' Liberty CRD and it just recently started acting up. The problem is that it will not start on its own. When you turn the key all that happens is a "click" and the lights go dim (off sometimes). My first thought was that she left the lights on or something simple. So I hooked it up to my truck and jumped it. It started just fine. This led me to believe that it was a dead battery, so I got a new one. Tried starting it again, and no luck. Again it will start with a jump, but not otherwise. I plugged in a volt meter to the cig. lighter and it showed low voltage. I was thinking electrical problem somewhere, but I am not very good with electrical and I would rather not have it brought to the dealer. Has anyone had this problem? Any tips, tricks, advice? Thanks in advance.

Make sure your battery connections are clean and tight...when you jump from another vehicle the jumper cables clamp on the outside of your clamps and if that works it would show that your battery connections are poor.
Also check the earth strap that grounds the engine to the chassis...this must be clean and tight.

You cannot check voltage at the cigar lighter...you need to check it at the battery while starting the engine. If you place the voltmeter leads on the battery lugs themselves and voltage is good but with the voltmeter leads on the battery clamps the voltage is bad then you have bad battery terminal clamps.

Also make sure your new battery is being charged by the alternator. With engine running the voltage across the battery should be about 13.5 volts. Also do not trust that your new battery is good.

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2002 Export CRD 2.5 Sport

Howdy Kyle

If you have CRD in the title - you should really post over in 'CRD love that torque' it'll get more views
although I think this problem would be common to V6's too - but they generally won't look.

First - the battery is the always the prime suspect - I know it's new - make sure it's fully charged (sometimes they've been in the stores a while)
and as Bill said make sure the connections are good.
(these beasts are really bad about - you must have enough voltage to turn on the computer - that's a very different thing from the current to turn the starter)

There's also an actuator pin in the steering column
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=678518#p678518
and then the old - starter solenoid that might need a tap to test.
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=731083#p731083

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2005 CRD
stuff
Skeptic quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur

Thank you for the responses. I have ruled out the starter, and the solenoid. Ruled out the battery. I found today that it tried to start (started cranking over) when I adjusted where the steering wheel was. I only got it to do it one time. But it is a good sign, I think. Does anyone know what would cause this?

Ignition switch maybe? Not really sure though.

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2008 Jeep Liberty KK, SkySlider, Tow Package, OME/Bilstein Lift, Flowmaster Delta 50, Removed Resonator, DuraTracs, In-dash CB, PIAA 520 ATPs, Dual KJ Tow Hooks
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3974106/2008-jeep-liberty
Lost Jeeps PNW/BC Members Map

Do you feel a spring resistance against the ignition key when you turn it to Start? If not then the actuator pin may have snapped.
The actual ignition switch has its wiring going down the side of the column. Moving the steeering position may make/break the connection of the connector.

I would advise you take the plastic covers off that surround the steering column and have a good look in that area.

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2002 Export CRD 2.5 Sport

I got it. It was a bad connection in the steering column. Thanks for the help guys.