It’s annoying when your vehicle won’t start for a reason when you believe everything is alright and should be working properly.
This blog tackles one exact issue of the jeep wrangler which is a no-crank no-start problem.
The fault developed suddenly after a day of normal usage and shopping, the car owner was agitated and was looking for answers.
Initial Observations
After a long day doing their errands, the owner parked the Jeep at Home Depot, went into the shop, and later came back to find the engine not cranking.
Even though a new battery was fitted one and a half years before this episode, the car attempted to start but there was no response and only a clicking sound.
This scenario was particularly puzzling because it was an obvious repeat of the last time when a battery change was needed.
Symptoms of the Issue
- The key was turned and the engine did not crank.
- However, some electrical accessories, such as the blower motor, heater,, and dashboard lights used to work.
- When the car was attempted to be started, loud clicking was produced.
Diagnosing the Problem
Bearing the symptoms in mind, the owner once started to troubleshoot the problem step by step.
They checked the battery terminals first, believing these could be dirty or loose.
It was true that the terminals were a bit dirty, but the tightness of the terminals exonerated the possibility of accent loss.
1- Checking Battery Health
To elaborate, the owner switches on the headlights in an attempt to evaluate the strength of the battery.
And since the beams are bright enough it means that the battery is still partially charged.
Once the owner used Coca-Cola to clean the battery terminals, and after he made sure these terminals were completely tight.
He attempted to start the car once again but got the same clicking noise.
2- Investigating Further
After eliminating the battery and terminals and looking for the causes of the problem, the next logical step was instead battery. To ascertain whether there is proper ground contact.
The owner examined the negative terminal and traced its linkage to the frame but reported any developing rust or corrosion. With both the battery and ground connections appearing sound.
The owner tried to utilize their backup power pack for assistance but the outcome was no different as there was again no crank.
3- Eliminating Other Possibilities
At this stage, the owner went on to start ruling out other potential sources. They looked for any fuse that could be blown, aware that a crank without igniting is better than a crank with a blown fuse.
They were not able to see any blown fuse in their sight but they recollected other instances when a fuse that had burst created similar difficulties.
4- Considering the Starter and Relays
With the battery, terminals, and fuses checked, the owner thought about the possibility of a faulty starter or starter relay.
They remarked that the starter was replaced with OEM parts 12 months back, so the chances of fault were slimmer.
Still, they acknowledged the fact relays are often culprits in no-crank conditions.
5- Testing the Relays
The owner had a look at the relays and in particular, at the starter relay. Even though they did hear some clicking, which is usually a good sign, they heard the relay click faintly.
It was brought to the attention of the owner that the starter relay is identical to several from the fuse box.
Following the replacement, they attempted to start the vehicle again.
Success at Last
They were happy because the Jeep started after cranking! It turned out that the old starter relay was faulty contrary to the click sound.
The owner rushed to AutoZone, bought a relay, and fitted it without any problems.
Key Takeaways
- Take your time to check the battery and its terminals and cables first.
- Fuses and relays are usually forgotten; do not forget to examine them carefully.
- Just because a relay clicks does not imply all is well with it, it might be broken.
Conclusion
In conclusion, nobody enjoys a situation where the engine does not start, or the starter does not crank.
However, it is possible to troubleshoot and isolate the fault using a methodical approach.
In this particular example, the defective starter relay was the reason, a case that teaches us all to always start with the obvious.
Next time, when you are in the same situation don’t forget to check your battery, its connections, fuses, and relays before going to an expert.
FAQs
Why is my car not clicking but won’t start?
When your vehicle is cranking but has no sound coming, there may be several reasons.
First of all, check the battery. Starting difficulties are common with a sick or dead battery.
Make sure the terminals of the battery are clean and ensure they are secure. Then the ignition switch, a bad switch may also lead to no start.
You may also look into the starter motor. If this one is faulty too, the engine won’t spin. Wiring troubles or blown fuses could be the problem.
Finally, make sure there is fuel in the tank; an empty tank can confuse someone looking for electrical problems.
Why does my Jeep not want to turn on?
There are several possible problems if your Jeep can’t start. To begin with, you should look into the battery.
Due to the eternal existence of dead or weak batteries, such instances seem typical. Make certain that the connections are both tight and clean.
Then, isolate the issue with the ignition system. The starting action can be blocked by a faulty ignition switch or starter motor.
At the same time, do not leave the fuel system unattended as well. Performance may be degraded if there is little fuel or a fuel filter that is blocked.
You should also look for any error codes with OBD-II. Such underlying issues can be inherited by this and help diagnose the problem.
What are the symptoms of a bad ignition switch?
Failing to start with a bad ignition switch has its peculiarities. The most common is the crank unable to easily start the engine.
The key might not be turning properly or may not even turn at all. Some people complain that the car’s dashboard lights flicker or don’t light up at all after the key reaches the “on” setting.
Other common symptoms of the Chevrolet Impala Include electrical malfunctions related to the radio and lights, which also happen occasionally.
More than that, the engine can also die while being driven. In some instances, you might see that the accessories are functioning even after the key has been turned off.
Why is there no sound when I try to start my car?
When starting your car and no sounds are heard, there are many places to look at. The first thing that must be done is the checking of the battery.
Sound is lost if it is not present because the battery is entirely dead or significantly weak. The second would be the ignition switch.
In cases where the switch is damaged, there may be no power supply to the starter. In addition, check the starter motor itself.
Due to a defective starter, no sounds are made. Next are the fuses and relays of the starter system. If the fuse is blown, the circuit is broken.
Lastly, the connections should be focused on. If the battery terminals are corroded or loose, power will not be delivered effectively.
Why won’t my car start but the battery is fine?
Most people get used to following familiar routines, and the entire world seems to change when we unexpectedly face a conflict in the environment.
If most of your plans revolve around driving and going out, enemies can target your car. Sudden changes can be disorienting.
Usually, we can say that if a car won’t start, it is because of the battery, the immobilizer, or the fuel system, other issues rarely occur and the car does not start as well.
According to some surveys, most problems occur due to the starting system first and the fuel system second.
When we analyze the case of a starter failure, consider such scenarios as loss of starting definition or a short circuit.
How to fix a car not starting?
If your car won’t start, first check the battery. Look for corrosion on terminals and ensure connections are tight.
If the battery is dead, jump-start it or replace it. Next, listen for clicks when turning the key; this may be a there is a problem with the starter.
Check the fuel level, perhaps you have simply run out of fuel. Inspect the fuses, especially the ones related to the ignition system, and see if they have been blown.
Furthermore, make sure the vehicle is in park or neutral if automatic. In light of the foregoing, an unlikely event, consider a faulty ignition switch or more serious trouble with the fuel or electrical system.