2008 Wrangler Sahara Starts Intermittently
#1
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2008 Wrangler Sahara Starts Intermittently
My jeep has started to intermittently not crank.
it behaves as if the battery does not have enough power to turn it over. I put the key in, the dash lights light up, I turn the key, I hear the starter try to turn the flywheel, but it doesn't. I can try again and it may crank. It may take ten times before it cranks.
I have replaced the battery and the starter. I have uploaded a YouTube video so you can see and hear how it sounds. The link is at the top.
If you turn up the sound you will hear it try to crank. I think it may be a ground? I am not sure what to check at this point and your tips would be greatly appreciated.
Sometimes I can wiggle the shifter and try to crank it and it may crank. It is not consistent and doesn't seem necessary. The jeep is an automatic.
In the video you will see a check engine light ( cat needs replacing). You will also see a change oil message- I have not figured out how to reset the message, I have changed the oil . We have had the jeep less than a year. It is my son's.
Thanks
#2
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You may be on the right track with the ground... Some folks call it the 'big 4'... Below is a snippet I saved into my 'Jeep TO-DO list'... I don't have the link to the original thread... <EDIT> - found the link: https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modi...pgrade-342875/
- alternator to battery + (with circuit breaker) (POSITIVE)
- alternator bracket to battery (GROUND)
- alternator bracket to body (GROUND)
- battery - to body (GROUND)The most common fix for the click-no-start issue was the larger wire from the alternator bracket (engine) to the battery negative terminal. I can see a wire from the alternator bracket to the frame being a waste of time, as mentioned above, but the benefit from running one to the battery negative terminal has been demonstrated to be real. It has worked well for those whose problem was inadequate grounding.
- alternator to battery + (with circuit breaker) (POSITIVE)
- alternator bracket to battery (GROUND)
- alternator bracket to body (GROUND)
- battery - to body (GROUND)The most common fix for the click-no-start issue was the larger wire from the alternator bracket (engine) to the battery negative terminal. I can see a wire from the alternator bracket to the frame being a waste of time, as mentioned above, but the benefit from running one to the battery negative terminal has been demonstrated to be real. It has worked well for those whose problem was inadequate grounding.
Last edited by jedg; 07-18-2018 at 04:13 AM.
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adinoc (08-30-2018)
#4
JK Enthusiast
Mine was doing the exact same thing and I had to wiggle the shifter also, it turned out to be the small plastic bushing at the end of the shift linkage under the center console where it connects to the shift handle. It's a dirt cheap part on Amazon and I purchased an extra in case it happens again. I can't find the video I used on YouTube but there are several "okay" videos where you get the point. I would start there after watching your video, it's identical to what mine was doing.
Last edited by Friday2322; 07-18-2018 at 05:38 AM.
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Thanks for that reply, just to be sure we have the exact same symptoms- could you hear in my video that when I turn the key, the starter sounds as if it is engaging, but lacks the power to turn the engine over? Like it begins to spin but just cannot do it?
Is this what yours would do?
Thanks again.
Is this what yours would do?
Thanks again.
#6
JK Enthusiast
Thanks for that reply, just to be sure we have the exact same symptoms- could you hear in my video that when I turn the key, the starter sounds as if it is engaging, but lacks the power to turn the engine over? Like it begins to spin but just cannot do it?
Is this what yours would do?
Thanks again.
Is this what yours would do?
Thanks again.
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#8
JK Enthusiast
#9
Super Moderator
Run the extra ground wire. It solved my issue. Other areas to look at would be wireless control module, transmission range sensor, bad battery.
The plastic shifter piece could fix it but if it were that it would most likely happen every time or often. My no start condition was very intermittent. An easy test before you even put the part in or order it would be
On the next no start condition simply just hit your fist on the shifter. Don't push it forward. Simply just take your fist and tap the top of it without moving it forward. See if it starts that way. If it does you know it's not a physical part that's broken but more likely the electrical system. Mine would start if I even just took my fist and knocked like I was a kid at my friends front door. Would start every time.
If it makes you feel any better the extra ground almost all but solved this issue for me. It only happens now maybe once a year.
The plastic shifter piece could fix it but if it were that it would most likely happen every time or often. My no start condition was very intermittent. An easy test before you even put the part in or order it would be
On the next no start condition simply just hit your fist on the shifter. Don't push it forward. Simply just take your fist and tap the top of it without moving it forward. See if it starts that way. If it does you know it's not a physical part that's broken but more likely the electrical system. Mine would start if I even just took my fist and knocked like I was a kid at my friends front door. Would start every time.
If it makes you feel any better the extra ground almost all but solved this issue for me. It only happens now maybe once a year.