TJ won't start

[newowner]

Hey guys,
My old 99 Jeep TJ won't start. The lights and radio have power but it won't turn over at all. I changed the battery about 3 years ago so not sure if I need a new one. I did noticed it having a hard time starting days earlier but thought it was because it sat for a few days. I also noticed a small puddle size leak coming from the rear of the jeep. It's dark in color but doesn't have a smell.

Any ideas before I have to get it towed to the garage? Thanks!

99 Jeep TJ Standard

[Enos]

Did you try boosting it? Check voltage across your battery terminals and also take the cables off and clean the ends and the posts.

[newowner]

I tried to have it jumped but still nothing. How long should it be attached to the other vehicle before it should start if it's the battery?

[TomWood]

So when you turn the key, you hear nothing from starter and engine? Or is it trying to fire but never does?

[newowner]

The engine makes no noise at all but the lights and radio turn on. I bump started it and took it to the garage. He thinks it's the starter but will test the battery, alternator and starter.
Sounds expensive.

[jeepthing]

Sept 10, 2014 12:39:24 GMT -4 newowner said:

The engine makes no noise at all but the lights and radio turn on. I bump started it and took it to the garage. He thinks it's the starter but will test the battery, alternator and starter.
Sounds expensive.

jeeps are....

[TomWood]

Check the ignition switch actuator pin first, they have been known to go on the jeeps. I replaced a starter and a hell of a lot more diagnosing. The pin from the ignition to the ignition switch can sheer off causing it not to start, but still give you the power. This has happened to a couple other people on here as well. 20-50 dollar part.

[eastcoastcam]

Sept 10, 2014 14:09:25 GMT -4 TomWood said:

Check the ignition switch actuator pin first, they have been known to go on the jeeps. I replaced a starter and a hell of a lot more diagnosing. The pin from the ignition to the ignition switch can sheer off causing it not to start, but still give you the power. This has happened to a couple other people on here as well. 20-50 dollar part.

^^ This.

You need to take it apart to see. If it is broken, you can start the Jeep with screwdriver. It is pretty easy to change, but you need some tamper-proof torx bits to take it apart. I will check for the part number, and the write up I used to fix mine.

[Big Willy]

When mine broke last year, I called up Parts Source and was able to get the new part for $79 Dorman part number: 924-704. It took about 45 min with me watching the video on my iPhone, lol. I used a small precision screw driver and a small hammer to knock out the tamper proof pins and used a regular T10 torx. In the picture below my broken one is in the foreground and the piece that came off it.

Here are the instructions I used. Follow the steps in the exact order they do it, including assembly. Good luck.

[eastcoastcam]

Thanks Chris ! I was having trouble finding it...

[electroguy75]

Did you check the starter relay? Try swapping it with the horn relay, see if it starts

[dan]

and quickly, try crossing over the terminals on your starter too, just to see if it hasn't quit. a screwdriver is all you need. go from the large post on the solenoid with the battery cable attached to it, over to the small wire on the end of the solenoid. make sure it is in park/neutral, wheels chocked. if you have a manual transmission you may need someone to hold the clutch in for you if your clutch safety switch works.
the starter will crank over if it works, obviously, and won't crank if it doesn't.

[newowner]

They tested the alternator, battery and starter. Turns out it was the starter. All good now! Thanks for all the ideas.