Hey y'all;
I have a '79 CJ7 that I'm slowly replacing, piece by piece. I drove to
my Dad's today, and my Jeep wouldn't start. I ended up popping the
clutch to get it to run, but couldn't take it to work since I didn't
have a place to run it downhill to pop it again. It's got a 258 V6
original engine, 3 spd manual.

The starter turns fine, plenty of juice in the battery. It won't engage
with the flywheel to start the engine. We've had torrential rains (7
1/2 inches in a day) and the jeep was outside. I'm assuming the
solenoid got wet and isn't engaging the armeture on the starter. I
bought a new starter to make sure it wasn't the problem, but does the
same as the old one (its the original starter, so before I replaced
anything else, I assumed that it was the starter, and didn't have a
chance to take it off and check it before I went to the auto parts
store).

Any chance it's anything other than the solenoid? The flywheel is
clean, no chips in the teeth, and it does not sound like the starter is
mating with the flywheel. Have I guessed it right, or am I missing
something?

Thanks,
-K

 

Use a jumper cable to momentarily connect the starter
to the positive on the battery. If the engine cranks normally
then suspect the solenoid.

Solenoids do actually die. I had to replace the one in my 87
a few months ago.


<kbrook007@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1129077013.990645.10630@o13g2000cwo.googlegro ups.com...
> Hey y'all;
> I have a '79 CJ7 that I'm slowly replacing, piece by piece. I drove to
> my Dad's today, and my Jeep wouldn't start. I ended up popping the
> clutch to get it to run, but couldn't take it to work since I didn't
> have a place to run it downhill to pop it again. It's got a 258 V6
> original engine, 3 spd manual.
>
> The starter turns fine, plenty of juice in the battery. It won't engage
> with the flywheel to start the engine. We've had torrential rains (7
> 1/2 inches in a day) and the jeep was outside. I'm assuming the
> solenoid got wet and isn't engaging the armeture on the starter. I
> bought a new starter to make sure it wasn't the problem, but does the
> same as the old one (its the original starter, so before I replaced
> anything else, I assumed that it was the starter, and didn't have a
> chance to take it off and check it before I went to the auto parts
> store).
>
> Any chance it's anything other than the solenoid? The flywheel is
> clean, no chips in the teeth, and it does not sound like the starter is
> mating with the flywheel. Have I guessed it right, or am I missing
> something?
>
> Thanks,
> -K
>

 

Use a jumper cable to momentarily connect the starter
to the positive on the battery. If the engine cranks normally
then suspect the solenoid.

Solenoids do actually die. I had to replace the one in my 87
a few months ago.


<kbrook007@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1129077013.990645.10630@o13g2000cwo.googlegro ups.com...
> Hey y'all;
> I have a '79 CJ7 that I'm slowly replacing, piece by piece. I drove to
> my Dad's today, and my Jeep wouldn't start. I ended up popping the
> clutch to get it to run, but couldn't take it to work since I didn't
> have a place to run it downhill to pop it again. It's got a 258 V6
> original engine, 3 spd manual.
>
> The starter turns fine, plenty of juice in the battery. It won't engage
> with the flywheel to start the engine. We've had torrential rains (7
> 1/2 inches in a day) and the jeep was outside. I'm assuming the
> solenoid got wet and isn't engaging the armeture on the starter. I
> bought a new starter to make sure it wasn't the problem, but does the
> same as the old one (its the original starter, so before I replaced
> anything else, I assumed that it was the starter, and didn't have a
> chance to take it off and check it before I went to the auto parts
> store).
>
> Any chance it's anything other than the solenoid? The flywheel is
> clean, no chips in the teeth, and it does not sound like the starter is
> mating with the flywheel. Have I guessed it right, or am I missing
> something?
>
> Thanks,
> -K
>

 

Use a jumper cable to momentarily connect the starter
to the positive on the battery. If the engine cranks normally
then suspect the solenoid.

Solenoids do actually die. I had to replace the one in my 87
a few months ago.


<kbrook007@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1129077013.990645.10630@o13g2000cwo.googlegro ups.com...
> Hey y'all;
> I have a '79 CJ7 that I'm slowly replacing, piece by piece. I drove to
> my Dad's today, and my Jeep wouldn't start. I ended up popping the
> clutch to get it to run, but couldn't take it to work since I didn't
> have a place to run it downhill to pop it again. It's got a 258 V6
> original engine, 3 spd manual.
>
> The starter turns fine, plenty of juice in the battery. It won't engage
> with the flywheel to start the engine. We've had torrential rains (7
> 1/2 inches in a day) and the jeep was outside. I'm assuming the
> solenoid got wet and isn't engaging the armeture on the starter. I
> bought a new starter to make sure it wasn't the problem, but does the
> same as the old one (its the original starter, so before I replaced
> anything else, I assumed that it was the starter, and didn't have a
> chance to take it off and check it before I went to the auto parts
> store).
>
> Any chance it's anything other than the solenoid? The flywheel is
> clean, no chips in the teeth, and it does not sound like the starter is
> mating with the flywheel. Have I guessed it right, or am I missing
> something?
>
> Thanks,
> -K
>

 

kbrook007@gmail.com wrote:
> Hey y'all;
> I have a '79 CJ7 that I'm slowly replacing, piece by piece. I drove to
> my Dad's today, and my Jeep wouldn't start. I ended up popping the
> clutch to get it to run, but couldn't take it to work since I didn't
> have a place to run it downhill to pop it again. It's got a 258 V6
> original engine, 3 spd manual.

I-6, not V-6. Inline, not v-formation.

>
> The starter turns fine, plenty of juice in the battery. It won't engage
> with the flywheel to start the engine. We've had torrential rains (7
> 1/2 inches in a day) and the jeep was outside. I'm assuming the
> solenoid got wet and isn't engaging the armeture on the starter. I
> bought a new starter to make sure it wasn't the problem, but does the
> same as the old one (its the original starter, so before I replaced
> anything else, I assumed that it was the starter, and didn't have a
> chance to take it off and check it before I went to the auto parts
> store).

Take the starter back to the store. Most chain parts retailers will
test your starter, free, and bad rebuilt parts are not uncommon. If
they can't test it, pull the starter, chain it down or chuck it in a
vice so it won't run away from you. Connect a set of jumpers to a
battery, clamp the [+] to the cable post on the starter. Hit the case
with the [-] clamp, and watch for the Bendix drive (the bit with the
gear teath on it) when it slides out to the tail of the starter. If it
doesn't move the starter's NG.


> Any chance it's anything other than the solenoid? The flywheel is
> clean, no chips in the teeth, and it does not sound like the starter is
> mating with the flywheel. Have I guessed it right, or am I missing
> something?

If the above tests out OK, replace the relay on the fender. You might
be passing enough juice to fire the starter motor but not enough to pull
in the Bendix.


>
> Thanks,
> -K
>

 

kbrook007@gmail.com wrote:
> Hey y'all;
> I have a '79 CJ7 that I'm slowly replacing, piece by piece. I drove to
> my Dad's today, and my Jeep wouldn't start. I ended up popping the
> clutch to get it to run, but couldn't take it to work since I didn't
> have a place to run it downhill to pop it again. It's got a 258 V6
> original engine, 3 spd manual.

I-6, not V-6. Inline, not v-formation.

>
> The starter turns fine, plenty of juice in the battery. It won't engage
> with the flywheel to start the engine. We've had torrential rains (7
> 1/2 inches in a day) and the jeep was outside. I'm assuming the
> solenoid got wet and isn't engaging the armeture on the starter. I
> bought a new starter to make sure it wasn't the problem, but does the
> same as the old one (its the original starter, so before I replaced
> anything else, I assumed that it was the starter, and didn't have a
> chance to take it off and check it before I went to the auto parts
> store).

Take the starter back to the store. Most chain parts retailers will
test your starter, free, and bad rebuilt parts are not uncommon. If
they can't test it, pull the starter, chain it down or chuck it in a
vice so it won't run away from you. Connect a set of jumpers to a
battery, clamp the [+] to the cable post on the starter. Hit the case
with the [-] clamp, and watch for the Bendix drive (the bit with the
gear teath on it) when it slides out to the tail of the starter. If it
doesn't move the starter's NG.


> Any chance it's anything other than the solenoid? The flywheel is
> clean, no chips in the teeth, and it does not sound like the starter is
> mating with the flywheel. Have I guessed it right, or am I missing
> something?

If the above tests out OK, replace the relay on the fender. You might
be passing enough juice to fire the starter motor but not enough to pull
in the Bendix.


>
> Thanks,
> -K
>

 

kbrook007@gmail.com wrote:
> Hey y'all;
> I have a '79 CJ7 that I'm slowly replacing, piece by piece. I drove to
> my Dad's today, and my Jeep wouldn't start. I ended up popping the
> clutch to get it to run, but couldn't take it to work since I didn't
> have a place to run it downhill to pop it again. It's got a 258 V6
> original engine, 3 spd manual.

I-6, not V-6. Inline, not v-formation.

>
> The starter turns fine, plenty of juice in the battery. It won't engage
> with the flywheel to start the engine. We've had torrential rains (7
> 1/2 inches in a day) and the jeep was outside. I'm assuming the
> solenoid got wet and isn't engaging the armeture on the starter. I
> bought a new starter to make sure it wasn't the problem, but does the
> same as the old one (its the original starter, so before I replaced
> anything else, I assumed that it was the starter, and didn't have a
> chance to take it off and check it before I went to the auto parts
> store).

Take the starter back to the store. Most chain parts retailers will
test your starter, free, and bad rebuilt parts are not uncommon. If
they can't test it, pull the starter, chain it down or chuck it in a
vice so it won't run away from you. Connect a set of jumpers to a
battery, clamp the [+] to the cable post on the starter. Hit the case
with the [-] clamp, and watch for the Bendix drive (the bit with the
gear teath on it) when it slides out to the tail of the starter. If it
doesn't move the starter's NG.


> Any chance it's anything other than the solenoid? The flywheel is
> clean, no chips in the teeth, and it does not sound like the starter is
> mating with the flywheel. Have I guessed it right, or am I missing
> something?

If the above tests out OK, replace the relay on the fender. You might
be passing enough juice to fire the starter motor but not enough to pull
in the Bendix.


>
> Thanks,
> -K
>

 

Your 'inline' 258 has a relay and a bendex, no kicker solenoid like a GM
would have.

If you have a V shaped engine, my fix below isn't likely valid and you
really need to find out what engine is in there.....

You should be able to 'bench test' the new or old starter using booster
cables. I hold the starter down with my foot and hook up the positive
connection to the battery positive, then take the other booster cable
from the battery negative and touch the starter case. The starter will
spin up and the gear will shoot out to the end. If the gear doesn't
shoot out, the starter is bad or you have a really low battery.

The 'solenoid' is on the fender and costs less than ten bucks. It does
get bad connections that usually just result in a click, not the starter
spinning free although it can happen with a dirty connection. It can be
cleaned or replaced.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

"kbrook007@gmail.com" wrote:
>
> Hey y'all;
> I have a '79 CJ7 that I'm slowly replacing, piece by piece. I drove to
> my Dad's today, and my Jeep wouldn't start. I ended up popping the
> clutch to get it to run, but couldn't take it to work since I didn't
> have a place to run it downhill to pop it again. It's got a 258 V6
> original engine, 3 spd manual.
>
> The starter turns fine, plenty of juice in the battery. It won't engage
> with the flywheel to start the engine. We've had torrential rains (7
> 1/2 inches in a day) and the jeep was outside. I'm assuming the
> solenoid got wet and isn't engaging the armeture on the starter. I
> bought a new starter to make sure it wasn't the problem, but does the
> same as the old one (its the original starter, so before I replaced
> anything else, I assumed that it was the starter, and didn't have a
> chance to take it off and check it before I went to the auto parts
> store).
>
> Any chance it's anything other than the solenoid? The flywheel is
> clean, no chips in the teeth, and it does not sound like the starter is
> mating with the flywheel. Have I guessed it right, or am I missing
> something?
>
> Thanks,
> -K

 

Your 'inline' 258 has a relay and a bendex, no kicker solenoid like a GM
would have.

If you have a V shaped engine, my fix below isn't likely valid and you
really need to find out what engine is in there.....

You should be able to 'bench test' the new or old starter using booster
cables. I hold the starter down with my foot and hook up the positive
connection to the battery positive, then take the other booster cable
from the battery negative and touch the starter case. The starter will
spin up and the gear will shoot out to the end. If the gear doesn't
shoot out, the starter is bad or you have a really low battery.

The 'solenoid' is on the fender and costs less than ten bucks. It does
get bad connections that usually just result in a click, not the starter
spinning free although it can happen with a dirty connection. It can be
cleaned or replaced.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

"kbrook007@gmail.com" wrote:
>
> Hey y'all;
> I have a '79 CJ7 that I'm slowly replacing, piece by piece. I drove to
> my Dad's today, and my Jeep wouldn't start. I ended up popping the
> clutch to get it to run, but couldn't take it to work since I didn't
> have a place to run it downhill to pop it again. It's got a 258 V6
> original engine, 3 spd manual.
>
> The starter turns fine, plenty of juice in the battery. It won't engage
> with the flywheel to start the engine. We've had torrential rains (7
> 1/2 inches in a day) and the jeep was outside. I'm assuming the
> solenoid got wet and isn't engaging the armeture on the starter. I
> bought a new starter to make sure it wasn't the problem, but does the
> same as the old one (its the original starter, so before I replaced
> anything else, I assumed that it was the starter, and didn't have a
> chance to take it off and check it before I went to the auto parts
> store).
>
> Any chance it's anything other than the solenoid? The flywheel is
> clean, no chips in the teeth, and it does not sound like the starter is
> mating with the flywheel. Have I guessed it right, or am I missing
> something?
>
> Thanks,
> -K

 

Your 'inline' 258 has a relay and a bendex, no kicker solenoid like a GM
would have.

If you have a V shaped engine, my fix below isn't likely valid and you
really need to find out what engine is in there.....

You should be able to 'bench test' the new or old starter using booster
cables. I hold the starter down with my foot and hook up the positive
connection to the battery positive, then take the other booster cable
from the battery negative and touch the starter case. The starter will
spin up and the gear will shoot out to the end. If the gear doesn't
shoot out, the starter is bad or you have a really low battery.

The 'solenoid' is on the fender and costs less than ten bucks. It does
get bad connections that usually just result in a click, not the starter
spinning free although it can happen with a dirty connection. It can be
cleaned or replaced.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

"kbrook007@gmail.com" wrote:
>
> Hey y'all;
> I have a '79 CJ7 that I'm slowly replacing, piece by piece. I drove to
> my Dad's today, and my Jeep wouldn't start. I ended up popping the
> clutch to get it to run, but couldn't take it to work since I didn't
> have a place to run it downhill to pop it again. It's got a 258 V6
> original engine, 3 spd manual.
>
> The starter turns fine, plenty of juice in the battery. It won't engage
> with the flywheel to start the engine. We've had torrential rains (7
> 1/2 inches in a day) and the jeep was outside. I'm assuming the
> solenoid got wet and isn't engaging the armeture on the starter. I
> bought a new starter to make sure it wasn't the problem, but does the
> same as the old one (its the original starter, so before I replaced
> anything else, I assumed that it was the starter, and didn't have a
> chance to take it off and check it before I went to the auto parts
> store).
>
> Any chance it's anything other than the solenoid? The flywheel is
> clean, no chips in the teeth, and it does not sound like the starter is
> mating with the flywheel. Have I guessed it right, or am I missing
> something?
>
> Thanks,
> -K