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The Jeep Grand Cherokee deserves praise for being strong and dependable. However, the time comes when it does not start like any other car.
Your Jeep Grand Cherokee may not start for several reasons, which will be described in this article.
Some of the most common ones and solutions will be provided to help you alleviate and get your automobile back on the road as soon as possible.
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Here is a step-by-step process to fix this problem:
- Dead Battery
- Starter Problem
- Lack Fuel
- Clogged Fuel Filter
- Worn Spark Plug
- Faulty Ignition Switch
- Faulty Alternator
Here is a step-by-step guide
1. Dead Battery
The most common reason for not being able to start a Jeep Grand Cherokee is the completely flat battery.
If your car has been stationary for long periods, then chances are the car battery is running low. For this, you can choose to jump-start the car or buy a new battery.
In case of jump-starting, make sure you have an operational automobile and jumper cables available.
Join the cables on both batteries, start the other vehicle, and allow it to run for a few minutes before trying to start your Jeep Grand Cherokee.
2. Starter Problems
Another reason the Jeep Grand Cherokee might not be starting is a faulty starter. A starter is important to get the engine running.
If it doesn’t work, the engine will not crank. To resolve this, replace the starter, in which case a mechanic should do this.
3. Lack of Fuel
In most cases, it is best to use a straightforward approach; your Jeep Grand Cherokee may simply be out of gas.
If you haven’t topped up your tank in a while, it’s not an unusual topic. Open the fuel tank and add gasoline to it.
Once the tank has enough fuel, the engine will begin running.
4. Clogged Fuel Filter
Your Jeep Grand Cherokee may have trouble starting due to a blocked fuel filter.
It is required for the fuel filter to trap dirt and contaminants in the fuel before the fuel reaches the engine.
If it gets blocked, though, starting the engine could be problematic since the fuel supply to it might be slowed down.
5. Worn Spark Plugs
Lastly, issues in starting a car can be linked to worn-out spark plugs. The purpose of the spark plugs is to burn the fuel in the engine.
Should they be worn out then they will not perform that task effectively. The signs of a worn-out spark plug include a drop in engine power and some cylinders not firing properly.
And for such conditions, they will be required to replace the spark plugs.
6. Faulty Ignition Switch
When such is the case, then other causes that may lead to a start failure need to be explored after the battery, alternator, and fuel level have all been checked, the ignition switch may have a problem.
This part is very essential since it is responsible for starting the engine. If the switch is faulty, then the engine will not start.
An ignition switch may be replaced in some cases.
7. Faulty Alternator
In some cases, this type of issue occurs when the alternator is faulty. For cars that are six years and older, this issue is very common.
This part connects the broken battery wires and the starter motor to turn over an ignition engine.
If it has a defect, the battery will not be able to produce sufficient power to start the engine.
A professional auto technician should be called when changing out an alternator.
How to Start Your Jeep Grand Cherokee
If your Jeep Grand Cherokee has a dead battery, you can simply jump-start your battery by moving the jumpers to the live one.
Start the other vehicle and let it stay idle for a few minutes and then try to start your Jeep.
Identifying a Bad Starter
There are several symptoms that a starter has a problem.
Start by testing the battery which might be enabled when it is completely flat in which case the starter is likely to be damaged.
Attempting to start the engine may cause strange sounds to be present as well.
One more thing to address is the voltage near the starter, which in most cases will be lower than intended and thus faulty.
Starting a Jeep Grand Cherokee with a Dead Key Fob
On the off chance that you receive a Jeep’s keyless start feature, then there is no way to turn on the keyless start feature.
In any case, the car can still be started using the actual key. Refer to your owner’s manual for further instructions on such a procedure.
Electrical Problems
There are very few instances when electrical problems may be encountered in the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Such symptoms may include flickering headlights and dashboard lights. Should you notice these issues, it could be prudent to consult a mechanic.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if your Jeep Grand Cherokee is unable to start, one must remember that several possible things could be the cause.
These include a dead battery, the alternator not functioning properly, problems related to the starter, an empty fuel tank, the ignition switch not working, the fuel filter being blocked, and burnt-out spark plugs.
There are chances that if you follow the procedures suggested above, you might be able to determine and troubleshoot the issue.
If the trouble continues, it is in one’s best interest to engage an expert.
FAQs
Why is my Jeep not starting but has power?
There are many possible causes of the issue if your Jeep has power but does not crank.
First, examine the connections of the battery; if the terminal is loose or corroded, it may lead to starting difficulty.
Then, turn the key and listen for the clicking sound because it means there might be a problem with the starter or solenoid.
If the fuel filter is clogged or the tank is empty, you may not allow the engine some fuel. Have the same approach for the ignition system.
Faulty ignition coils or worn spark plugs can cause the starting problem as well and most importantly, check for trouble codes with an OBD-II scanner to look for electronic faults.
These troubleshooting areas will help detect the cause of the problem in an organized manner.
What happens if your car won’t start but has power?
However, several possibilities are plausible if the engine will not start but power is present. To begin with, examine the connections of the battery.
Make sure these are tight and free from rust. If everything is normal, then try turning the key while checking whether a clicking noise is present.
This is frequently a sign of a defective starter. Then look at the ignition system. A faulty ignition switch can stop the engine from being cranked.
Also, take a look at the fuel system. An inoperative fuel pump or an empty fuel tank may be the reason.
At the end, think about the error codes. Trouble codes may be displayed because of a check engine light.
What should I check if the lights work but the engine does not turn over?
In situations like this, where the headlights come on but the car does not turn over, the battery condition should be checked.
Many reasons could result in the engine not starting. First, look for corroded or loosened battery terminals. This should be done even if the lights turn on.
Third, a faulty starter motor could be faulty, sometimes replaced. Then turn the key and listen for a click sound.
If it is there that is the sound of the starter trying to engage and failing. Sometimes, the ignition switch can be defective.
Lastly, if all the components are working then the starting system could be fused.
Why won’t my car turn over just click but the lights work?
When only clicks are heard from the ignition switch, it – 74 times out of 100 – indicates a defect in the starting system.
This often follows a systematic approach as batteries do vary with their electrical properties, even if their surface works.
If that’s the case, sure enough, the battery must be checked first. Turn the lights off, because it usually requires a lot of power.
The battery could be severely underpowered. If this doesn’t work, people usually look at the battery connections. Corroded and loose terminals lead to insufficient current.
If the battery works without issues, the starter motor may be the faulty component. The term click usually refers to the starter’s engagement without spinning.
What fuse would stop a car from starting?
A car won’t be able to start because the ignition system has a blown ignition fuse. The starting system cannot be powered because of a faulty ignition fuse.
A problem with a car’s ignition can prevent a car from starting completely when a fuse that allows the fuel pump to start is blown.
If the fuse is blown, the engine will not receive the necessary fuel.
The possibility of being unable to start the car because the main fuse or the battery fuse is also present. These are the fuses that should be visually examined first.
Even easy damage to the fuse box should be looked for. In the event that this took place and these fuses are blown, maybe changing them would help.