So my 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited X would not start and being that it is our only source of transportation and I literally just went a month and a half with no vehicle due to a tree, I was panicking and not taking time and paying full attention to things like I should. I went off of a YouTube video instead of actually looking at wiring diagrams or doing my research like I normally do and I jumpered pin 86 on the starter relay to the positive battery terminal and immediately lost all power. I am honestly not even sure where to start. I checked all the fuses and the fuse labeled J17 in the fuse box was blown. I replaced it but still nothing. It is like there is no battery in it at all. Please do not respond with harsh comments. I knew better and did it anyways and there is no taking it back. I have been working on cars most of my life and I know I messed up, now I just need to fix it.

 

I am sure there are many people here with more knowledge on this. I assume there is no attempt by the starter to do anything. Are the non-start symptoms the same as before or different? You can swap out the relay with another one and see if that makes a difference. It is possible that the starter itself is bad. If you jump across the relay does it try to start? You may now also have a bad TIPM which is why it is important to know if there are differences now. Curious, how did a tree cause the non-starting or is that another story? Good luck,