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95 grand cherokee engine won't turn over


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ratrider955
New User

Nov 7, 2014, 9:14 AM

Post #1 of 8 (1567 views)
  post locked   95 grand cherokee engine won't turn over  

I have a 1995 Jeep grand Cherokee, 6 cyl. with about 170,000 miles on it. A couple of weeks ago, when starting, the starter would drag a bit like the battery was a bit low. Checked the battery and it showed a full charge. Two days ago, it wouldn't start at all, the starter would barely turn over then would get that ratcheting noise from the solenoid. Checked battery voltage at the posts, at the cable clamps, and at the solenoid terminal; all read the same, 12.5 volts or so. I figured the solenoid and or starter so replaced it with a new one from NAPA, installed it this morning, but no luck. I even attached a charger to the battery, set it on "start" and tried it then. The engine will slowly turn over for maybe a half a rotation then stop. I'm a fair backyard mechanic, but this has me stumped, any help will be greatly appreciated.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Nov 7, 2014, 10:19 AM

Post #2 of 8 (1552 views)
  post locked   Re: 95 grand cherokee engine won't turn over  

High bet your device that said you had a full charge was nothing but a voltmeter or interpretation of that. Sh*t just take two 9v household batteries and hook them up in series you can get 18v and read good but those wont crank your engine - get the idea?


You lack amps by all bets. Turn on headlights if you have no better equipment and watch how badly they dim while it cranks not just solenoid flutter. Watch voltage drop while cranking.


When battery can't overcome the high demand of a starter the volts will plummet (below 9-10v bad) meaning almost always battery isn't up to par. Regular automotive batteries are constantly losing their original capabilities by the day such than IMO even a good one at 3-4 years old can show good depending on what test method but be 1/2 or less of what the starter motor needs.


Near sure, you need a new battery. Charge it first as most folks don't know they are not at full charge when new!


Test everything anyway to be sure but my bet is as said - battery no longer capable,


T



(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Nov 7, 2014, 10:24 AM)


kev2
Veteran
kev2 profile image

Nov 7, 2014, 11:45 AM

Post #3 of 8 (1539 views)
  post locked   Re: 95 grand cherokee engine won't turn over  

X2
swap in a known good battery - try that and advise -


GC
User
GC profile image

Nov 7, 2014, 2:23 PM

Post #4 of 8 (1529 views)
  post locked   Re: 95 grand cherokee engine won't turn over  

x3 Get a known good battery or have that one tested. Next step is to verify cable connections at battery, starter, block


____________________________________________________
Willing to help, willing to learn... Rob


ratrider955
New User

Nov 7, 2014, 3:18 PM

Post #5 of 8 (1522 views)
  post locked   Re: 95 grand cherokee engine won't turn over  

Tom, you were right on the nose, I took the battery to my NAPA store, they checked it and it tested bad once a load was applied. So, a new battery and problem solved, thanks for all replies.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Nov 7, 2014, 8:50 PM

Post #6 of 8 (1510 views)
  post locked   Re: 95 grand cherokee engine won't turn over  

Glad to hear it and a good plug for NAPA. BTW - I totally agree with using NAPA in person on average they at least locally are true pros in the parts biz. I also have more faith in battery handling BEFORE I need one doesn't get dropped, used for a door stop for a year and so on. BTW - NAPA policy is all batteries are recycled if unsold when or before they are ONE year from date made as they age from when made not when first put in use.


IDK why I was so sure with this one. The guys were right as well to try a KNOWN good battery which would have proved it too. Connections are always important too so put that on your to-do list to look, clean or at least spray with like a WD-40 and they do better longer.


Do yourself a favor and pay attention to how old they are or write it down on them if you can't see the punch out or markings on them. As vehicles get newer than '95 but always mattered you can also get a memory saver so you can if used properly take a battery out and the vehicle doesn't forget computer memory, clock and pre-sets for anything. The more toys a car has the more annoying it is to lose all that up to it plain messes them up or worse thinks it's being stolen and you might need total help to make it even run again or use a radio anything!


As season's change this is the #1 thing to show itself as bad along with tire pressure sensors as air cools so does the pressure in tires so the vehicles with that set up all go nuts,


T



ratrider955
New User

Nov 7, 2014, 11:00 PM

Post #7 of 8 (1498 views)
  post locked   Re: 95 grand cherokee engine won't turn over  

Tom, I agree with your opinion of NAPA, I used to work in one of their stores here at home, and one of my fellow workers and friend, is now the manager of this store. So, he always gives me a discount every time I buy there. My wife is adamant about saving receipts and has some going back 10 years. I do clean and WD-40 the terminals on all my vehicles even though the weather here (Mississippi Gulf Coast) isn't that hard on things like batteries, tires, etc. Again, I thank you for your help, Jim.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Nov 8, 2014, 12:31 AM

Post #8 of 8 (1491 views)
  post locked   Re: 95 grand cherokee engine won't turn over  

Been thru MS many times on way to LA from MA. It's a lot easier on cars in general. Still haven't found a windshield washer fluid that can handle those "love" bugs y'all get sometimes!


Be well, Tom


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