4:08 pm
Club Member
July 14, 2016
Offline
For about three to four months I have had a problem with my starter not engaging in my 04 TJ. It only happened one or two times in the first two months but it has become a little more frequent lately. My vehicle almost always starts normally on the first attempt. But occasionally when I turn the key I can hear the starter motor spin but the starter doesn't engage the flywheel. It always starts without incident on the second attempt. My question is this. Should I just replace the starter now or should I pull it and service it with the expectation that it will solve the problem. A friend has suggested that I pull the starter and clean and lubricate the gear and the gear shaft based on the assumption that the starter motor and solenoid are fine and it's just dirt or rust causing the problem. A new starter will run about $130 plus tax so if I can service the existing one I'm willing to give it a try. However, if that is just a waste of time then I want to replace it rather than mess around trying to fix the original one. If it can be serviced, what would you recommend I do? Thanks in advance for any assistance.
6:26 pm
July 14, 2016
Offline 
Park on a hill and bump start it
6:41 pm
Club Trailmaster
March 13, 2015
Offline With the mud and dust they see, servicing the starter is just putting off the inevitable. I once bought a cherokee starter off craigslist for $25 and kept in the rig as a spare. When the original starter finally quit I swapped the cherokee unit in in a parking lot and then replaced it later with a new unit (bolt in but one of the wires is on the opposite side but still barely reaches). Now i would just swap it because my luck would have me needing to swap in my spare laying in a puddle in the middle of a rainstorm.
8:37 pm
Club Member
July 14, 2016
Offline Mike G said
Park on a hill and bump start it
Funny guy! Hey Mike, I just ordered a heavy duty RE trac bar. I remember Kris saying that you might need a trac bar. You are welcome to have my old RE trac bar if you need one.
8:42 pm
Club Member
July 14, 2016
Offline kris_olof said
With the mud and dust they see, servicing the starter is just putting off the inevitable.
Thanks Kris, that's what I was thinking. I think I will just buy a new starter and be done with it! Not being much of a mechanic I wanted to get an expert opinion. Thanks again!
9:30 am
July 14, 2016
Offline Jeff_R said
Funny guy! Hey Mike, I just ordered a heavy duty RE trac bar. I remember Kris saying that you might need a trac bar. You are welcome to have my old RE trac bar if you need one.
That would be great thanks Jeff_R
11:34 am
Club Trailmaster
March 13, 2015
Offline Mike G said
Park on a hill and bump start it
I got really good a bump starting in reverse out of my driveway in college. I would then park on the roof of the parking structure at class incase i needed a bump start to get home. Would also re-use diff fluid and run tires until cords were showing. Not every idea was a winner. A tight budget is the best way to teach you how to MacGyver your rig back together.
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