Questions and Answers

Twin Jeep Cherokees, Same Problem Q. Dear Mr. Ciulla, I own two 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limiteds with V-8 engines. They have automatic transmissions, approximately 36,000 miles each, ABS brakes, P/S, A/C and cruise control. The vehicles were purchased new at the same time from the same dealership. I have been having starting problems as follows.

I put the key in the ignition, turn the key and there is no crank. I have full power, including lights, headlights, radio, power windows, etc. The dealership has now replaced the starters in each Jeep twice, so I am on my third starter in each vehicle, including the starters they came with when I purchased them.

Each time I have this problem, the problems start out infrequent and gradually gets to the point where the car will not start at all. Also, when the problem first begins, it seems like the longer they sit, the more likely I am to have the problem.

I hope I am being clear, I can turn the key and there is full power with no visible signs of battery drain, the lights don't dim, and every accessory has full power, but there is no crank. When the problem first starts, I can move the key back and forth from the off position to the start position several times until the car finally cranks and starts.

When the car does begin to crank, start-up is immediate and once running, it runs like new. Sometimes when they begin to have these starting problems, I can hold the key in the start position, not go back and forth, and the car will crank and start right up after a five to ten second delay. The problem has gone away for four to five months at a time between each new starter being put in, but begins anew after some arbitrary period, sometimes more like six to ten months.

Most recently, the starter in one of my Jeeps was replaced after approximately 5,000 miles and 7 months. Do you know what the cause of this could be so I can try to focus the dealership's efforts. I want to keep taking it to the dealership because I feel like they should pay for the problem since it has persisted. I really don't want to have to make regularly scheduled trips to the dealership so they can replace my starter every six to ten months.

Thank you in advance,
John

A. It would seem to me that a no-crank situation like this would be relatively easy to locate. All you have to do is trace the wiring from the starter back and see where the break in power is.

But in this case I think I would start at the ignition switch. I would want to see if there is power at pin 1, yellow wire, of the ignition switch when it's in the START position. If there is no power there, then you have a bad ignition switch.

I'm sure the technicians at the Dodge Dealer know how to use a wiring diagram to troubleshoot this. Really, it's not rocket science.