Thanks for this, Ron! I have a similar picture with the fuses and relays numbered, but this is also very helpful. I will add it to the stuff I carry on my Nexus 5 and Nexus 7--never can tell when it might help solve a problem in some remote place!

White Crack on White Rim Trail ...

 

Just for what it's worth my battery on my 12 JKU 32,000 + miles just bit the dust tonight.

Having repair / mechanical experience what I will say is many newer vehicles will completely disable the starter though the ECU when the battery voltage gets down to a certain level.

Yes it's for a safe reason but a complete pain in the arse because no more barely getting the engine turning and it catching

Now it's you better have the full voltage or nothing

 

I have an '08 automatic. Mine sporadically does the same thing. Turn the key, makes a click sound, then nothing. Sometimes taking the key out of the ignition and re-inserting works. If that doesn't do it, I can turn the key half way, take the shifter out of park then put it back in park, and it starts right up. Again, mine is an automatic.

 

i tried swapping the starter motor relay with the defroster (i think) to rule out a relay issue. but i didn't keep my finger on it to listen or feel for the click.
i gave it a good whack with a steel pipe, and then tried starting it.... but got no result. so i had my girlfriend hold the key in the start position and gave it a few more whacks, and it cranked on the third or forth hit.
looks like my issue is the starter.

 

Have you tried jump starting it, to rule out the battery?

 

Hopefully my previous post helped you out and glad it was something simple. They just don't make things like they used to. Good luck with the repair.

 

This has been a common issue on the JK. Do a search for "click and no start". I had the same issue on my Jeep in 2010 when it was still 3.8L powered. My fix was as shown in my post below, which was a grounding issue:

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/stoc...-190385/page2/

I have a similar issue now that I have a V8 conversion. After much testing, it is definitely the TIPM. Jeep is in the mist of a class-action lawsuit over shoddy TIPMs. In short, too much heat or a misalignment of gravity cause TIPM failures, which are characterized by a plethora of symptoms, one of which is a click no start. Other common failures include power window failure, lockers engaging for no reason, and the cooling fans failing to engage. In the case of a TIPM failure, whacking the fuse box will usually "unstick" the offending relays and cause the Jeep to function properly. A jumpstart to overcome the resistance in the TIPM also works.

So, My $0.02: Start with adding additional ground wires. Its a really easy (and cheap) fix. If that doesn't work, then start looking at the TIPM. I say this because a TIPM is pricy, going for $425 minimum at wholesale cost.

 

i changed out my starter, and while i was at it i cleaned up the battery terminals.
i will replace some grounds in the spring..... if i make it that long.
i had to take my summer car off the road in a hurry, so i ran out of time to winterize the jeep.

 

Did have same issue some years back with 3 or 4 non starts on my 2.8CRD
Read at the time about issues with static in the WCM could cause this.
Now always ground ignition key to body metal before inserting into barrel.
Probably unrelated & makes no difference, but luckily this issue has not resurfaced.

 

Electrical issues can be a real pain. You actual need two or three relays to work for your engine to turn on. You also need your auto shutdown to work and you run relay.

If it was me I would work from the beginning. Make sure you are getting power to the starter. You have power from the battery and power from the ecm/relay. That second power source is what tells your starter to kick over.

Unfortunately, if you are not getting voltage from the skinny wire, it can be a variety of things and many have been mentioned above. If the skinny wire has voltage, I would have the starter tested.