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2002 Grand Cherokee Overland Starter Problem
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DeCon
New User
Nov 9, 2008, 8:12 PM
Post #1 of 4
(3328 views)
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2002 Grand Cherokee Overland Starter Problem
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2002
Jeep
Grand Cherokee Overland
4.7L
80,000 miles
OK, this should be fairly easy, but I need to see if my reasoning powers still function. The last time I really worked on a car was about 12 years ago, when I still had my '66 Mustang, and knew EVERYTHING under the hood.
I went out to pull the Jeep into the garage for the night, got in, turned the key, and no starter, just a click, along with all the normal bells and beeps and whistles and lights. The battery is fine, almost new. Vehicle was in PARK. My past experience tells me that the diagnosis is simple - the starter is shot. Of course, the timing for the problem is lousy, and I have to fix it, or get it fixed first thing in the morning. I've already located a new starter, so that's not a problem. But I need to ask a foolish question - Is the starter on this vehicle reasonably easy to get to? I've replaced starters on Jeep CJ's, my Mustang, and other vehicles over the past 45 years or so, but I don't know what sort of issues I might run into on this, and just wanted to get someone else to chime in. Thanks!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 9, 2008, 9:04 PM
Post #2 of 4
(3326 views)
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Re: 2002 Grand Cherokee Overland Starter Problem
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If you get just a single click when starter is requested it's usually a cable connection problem. Sometimes you can just tug on them or twist for one more start. Be nice but a tap on body of starter might snap it to work too. Just easy with that - it may make an unseen connection if there work or bushes that are glased up sometime work again but it would need to be fixed or replaced if that worked.
Remember a battery is not necessarily good just because it can light up some dash lights - heck a cell phone battery could do that but it takes tons of amps to operate a starter and heave cables/wires that must be in good shape all connections. I wouldn't be in such a hurry to just swap out a starter without some more testing.
Don't happen to know if this starter is a pill or not to remove and replace. Guess is it's not so bad but that's just my guess. Just take a good look and you'll know,
T
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DeCon
New User
Nov 10, 2008, 3:54 AM
Post #3 of 4
(3320 views)
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Re: 2002 Grand Cherokee Overland Starter Problem
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Thanks Tom! Not judging the battery just on dash lights - I just replaced it 2 months ago. I will try to check all connections before a swap out, and maybe even render a little love tap. Thanks again.
Bob DeConnick
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 10, 2008, 5:37 AM
Post #4 of 4
(3314 views)
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Re: 2002 Grand Cherokee Overland Starter Problem
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Just keep in mind that the battery being new doesn't mean it's fully charged or capable by age alone. It needs to be known charged and can deliver the amps. If this was something else you would know by the starter motor as that's the big draw on a battery - dinky lights don't take much. When a starter can turn engine at normal speeds I rule out amp delivery and don't need to further check batteries but this is the problem so need to test it on its own - a load test.
Really consider getting a trickle charger (AKA - battery maintainer) that automatically shuts down for this and to have anyway. They are under $20 bucks - just a good as any battery charger and nicely quit when not needed but will take a day - not quick. You may have a problem where alternator isn't putting out enough or connections that don't allow it to. Begin with known good battery - not just the age of when you bought it. You replaced it 2 months ago - why? Is that problem fixed?
The "love tap" on electric motors is an old trick that doesn't apply to all motors. Ones that use spring loaded brushes as many starter do will usually respond to that if the problem is that they are just sticky and don't make good contact inside it out of sight. Good motors can be ruined with that trick so go easy,
T
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