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Car Forum / Jeep / February 2007

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Burned up 2nd Starter/ 89 JC

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Trish in Alaska - 24 Feb 2007 05:36 GMT
I have a 89 Jeep Cherokee here in the -30 great Alaska.
I just had my starter replaced on 2-19-07. Then on 2-22-07 I went to
start my jeep to warm up so I could drive home from work & it wouldnt
turn over. My mech. took the jeep and returned it to me 2-23-07 today
with another rebuilt starter under warranty from NAP. Evidently the
starter he had originally put on it was deffective. So on 2-23-07,I
take my jeep to a couple places this afternoon, turning off while I
was in the stores. Then this evening I go to start my jeep to warm it
up (Im in Alaska- we have to let our veh. warm up & plug them in). The
jeep is warming up for about 10 min. when suddenly theres a loud high
pitch squeeling noise, I run out & there is smoke coming from under
the hood. I turn it off & all I can smell it burned wire. What is
going on?
My mech. stopped by and mentioned maybe the starter is re-engaging its
self?
What do you think? Any help would be appreciated. Im so broke, and
cant afford much else accept maybe a couple nights in the loony bin!
Matt Macchiarolo - 24 Feb 2007 14:41 GMT
Sounds like a bad solenoid. Did he change out the solenoid as well?

Might also look for another mechanic.

>I have a 89 Jeep Cherokee here in the -30 great Alaska.
> I just had my starter replaced on 2-19-07. Then on 2-22-07 I went to
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> What do you think? Any help would be appreciated. Im so broke, and
> cant afford much else accept maybe a couple nights in the loony bin!
Trish in Alaska - 24 Feb 2007 18:33 GMT
> Sounds like a bad solenoid. Did he change out the solenoid as well?
>
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> - Show quoted text -

Hi Matt,
No he didnt replace the solenoid. I'll mention it to him. Thanks.
L.W. (Bill) Hughes III - 24 Feb 2007 22:04 GMT
Ditto. A low battery often cooks the starter and solenoid.
       God Bless America, Bill 0|||||||0
mailto:LWHughes3rd@aol.com http://www.billhughes.com/

> Sounds like a bad solenoid. Did he change out the solenoid as well?
>
> Might also look for another mechanic.

Signature

Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Highcountry - 25 Feb 2007 14:03 GMT
Goodness, what an offer!   Chunk my CJ-7 and my XL-500 on the trailer
hitched to my old 4x4 Diesel Suburban and "...off to Alaska!".   I
could just "camp" in the Suburban and cruise the CJ and the Honda...

Be careful, I might not ever leave!!!

By the way, I agree with the other guys.   Since you live in a suburb
of the North Pole, I would look VERY critically at the cables from the
battery to the starter and battery to ground.   If they are not
PERFECT, you should replace them also.   They MUST be a minimum of 4-
Gauge wire and if 2-Gauge will fit, substitute it instead.   Also,
your Cherokee does NOT have a fender mounted solenoid, it is mounted
on the starter like a General Motors or Chrysler.   It possibly has a
"starter relay" though.   Follow the + (HOT) battery cable from the
battery toward the starter, if there is a small metal box connected
between the battery and the starter, that is the "relay".   Just in
case you are suspicious of its condition, the NAPA part # is AR578 and
it is going to cost you about $25.00.

Cherokees are hindered by only having room for that dinky "Group 58"
battery.   In case you need to know, the highest amp NAPA battery that
fits your Cherokee is Part # 7558.

Once again, good luck!

Bruce
Mike Romain - 25 Feb 2007 16:34 GMT
My book says some versions of the Cherokee do have a Motorcraft starter
with the solenoid, but anyway, both my 87 and 88 have the fender relay
that is the one that can stick on and fry the starter or cause a no
start by not working.  As you say, just follow the battery cable.

Mike

> Goodness, what an offer!   Chunk my CJ-7 and my XL-500 on the trailer
> hitched to my old 4x4 Diesel Suburban and "...off to Alaska!".   I
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>
> Bruce
Will Honea - 25 Feb 2007 23:35 GMT
Dang, that's wierd Mike.  My 88 MJ (4L) has the positive cable going
straight to the solenoid on top of the battery. I would never have thought
about a detached starter relay!  No question about mine - replaced the
cable and the first one I got was too short - 4 ga wire is somewhat
inelastic...

> My book says some versions of the Cherokee do have a Motorcraft starter
> with the solenoid, but anyway, both my 87 and 88 have the fender relay
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
>>
>> Bruce

Signature

Will Honea <whonea@yahoo.com>

Mike Romain - 26 Feb 2007 00:03 GMT
I have the wiring diagram PDF for the 88 and it clearly indicates my
starter relay on the fender.  If you follow the other red wire from the
battery, it leads to it on the fender.  It is where all the fuse links
hook up and it has a green wire feeding off it that is the trigger to
the solenoid down on the starter and the other green wire comes from the
key.

If this sucker gets a bad connection is can send no trigger to the
starter or it can arc on on and keep the starter turning.

Check, if you pull off either green wire on the fender unit, you will
have no start.

Mike

> Dang, that's wierd Mike.  My 88 MJ (4L) has the positive cable going
> straight to the solenoid on top of the battery. I would never have thought
[quoted text clipped - 35 lines]
>>>
>>> Bruce
Mike Romain - 24 Feb 2007 15:28 GMT
Figure the parts store uses the same rebuilder and he just hired someone
at $5.00 an hour to come rebuild rather than flip burgers....

You might have to change brands of parts, I have had to on too many
occasions over the years.  I had to actually leave town to get a GM
waterpump after the 5th failure in a row.

I gave up on one store for rebuilt brake and clutch masters, they just
can't do it.

Jeeps also have a starter relay on the fender.  A dirty connection there
can cause your symptoms.  The bad connection can cause a no start and
the bad connection can cause lots of heat which can sometimes cause the
relay to stick on.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos:  Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

> I have a 89 Jeep Cherokee here in the -30 great Alaska.
> I just had my starter replaced on 2-19-07. Then on 2-22-07 I went to
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> What do you think? Any help would be appreciated. Im so broke, and
> cant afford much else accept maybe a couple nights in the loony bin!
Highcountry - 24 Feb 2007 15:59 GMT
I noticed that the starter came from NAPA?   Having been an employee
of said company, I know there are 3, yes THREE levels of quality
available.   You didn't say which engine you had so the parts below
are for a 4.0 six cylinder.

Part # 244-6273 is the El Cheapo and shops pay around $90.00 for this
one.

Part # 44-6273 is a Serious rebuild and will generally last like a new
one. It goes to a shop for around $125.00.

Part # 4N-6273 is an all new product, no used parts. Downside here is
that it is imported from CHINA. It will sell to a shop for around
$175.00.

Those prices are Repair Shop and include giving them your old starter.

Speaking from personal experience, the "Serious Rebuild" gives less
problems than the Chinese built new unit and the El Cheapo is not to
be trusted.

Your repair receipt "may" have the part number on it.   If not, the
starter has a sticker with the part number stamped there.   The
sticker is designed to fall off hopefully before the starter fails, so
as to eliminate a lot of warranty attempts so you might consider
spraying a coat of clear paint over it for future reference.

Good Luck, Bruce
Trish in Alaska - 24 Feb 2007 18:46 GMT
> I noticed that the starter came from NAPA?   Having been an employee
> of said company, I know there are 3, yes THREE levels of quality
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> Good Luck, Bruce

Hi Bruce,
Yes he got it from NAPA. When he replaced my old one & bought the new
rebuild, it cost him $160, that was with his discount. I dont have any
idea of the part number. But I will find out.
Normally we pay much more here in AK. If you bought something that
cost $100 in lower 48, it will cost us here $140 approx.
I also was thinking if there is one bad apple then there is probably
more. Maybe we should go buy it from our only other possible place of
choice- "M & O Schucks". LOL We dont have many to choos from here.
Trish
Highcountry - 24 Feb 2007 19:00 GMT
You didn't mention if I guessed correctly on the engine size?
Assuming it is a 4.0 and the numbers I gave you are correct, I would
pay the difference and "trade up" to the better rebuild if the El
Cheapo is what they got the first time.

On a totally different idea, are you sure it is the starter?   The
"Neutral Safety Switch" can go bad and cause intermittant "no start"
situations.   If that is the case, and provided YOU are the ONLY
driver of the vehicle for safetys sake.   The NSS can be bypassed so
the engine will start in any shifter position.

Good luck, Bruce
Trish in Alaska - 24 Feb 2007 19:37 GMT
> I noticed that the starter came from NAPA?   Having been an employee
> of said company, I know there are 3, yes THREE levels of quality
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> Good Luck, Bruce

Hey Bruce,
Well I couldnt get hold of my mech. so I called NAPA myself. The
starter part # is for the El Cheapo! He totally lied to me. They said
it only cost him $96.99!
Well him & I have been friends for over 2 yrs, cant believe he would
take advantage of me like this. My finances are so in the red & he
knows it.
Well he called me back now to tell me the part # & I let him know I
called to get it myself. He agreed it only cost him $96.99 but it cost
normally $160 without his discount. HMMM! I have always in the past
went with him to buy the parts or got them myself under his name. I
didnt this time.
Well hes going to get the  #44-6273 starter, tow my jeep & I'm only
paying for the difference of the starters plus labor. So far I cant
afford the labor till next mo.
Im a bit upset, but in my situation I cant afford to go to another
mech.
Just in case it not the starter causing this, what would be causing
the starter to burn up?
The relay & solenoid - Is there a way to test both of these before we
replace them?
When the other gentlemen, Matt & Mike, mentioned solenoid - Is it the
solenoid on the starter itself or elsewhere?
Can we still test them with the starter burned up?
Is there a free place on the NEt to look at schematics for this?
Thanks guys, your are my gaurdian angels!
Trish
Highcountry - 24 Feb 2007 19:55 GMT
Don't get all in a "tizzy" girl, the mechanic has got to pay his
bills!

All, and I do mean all shops charge a "mark up" on parts.   Normally,
they sell to the customer at what is called "List" and then charge for
Labor.   If you buy your own parts and bring them with you, they will
normally just charge more in Labor and you still spend the same in the
end.

This vicious circle is what led me to do any and all repairs that I
can myself!

I am not really familiar with that model, but I think the solenoid is
mounted on the starter and will be new with the one you are buying.
If the starter has a small "soda can" sized attachment where the wires
attach, that is the solenoid.

Good luck, Bruce

Oh, you can pay us all back by having a party this Summer and inviting
us up!
Trish in Alaska - 24 Feb 2007 21:52 GMT
On Feb 24, 10:55 am, "Highcountry" <highcountry2...@hotmail.com>
wrote:
> Don't get all in a "tizzy" girl, the mechanic has got to pay his
> bills!
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> Oh, you can pay us all back by having a party this Summer and inviting
> us up!

Well your in luck Bruce! I got plenty of room in the summer here in my
lil log cabin home. Its not the Ritz but its home. About May I go to
Valdez for Halibut, in July & August we go to Chitna for Salmon and @
end of August
1st of September we try to pull down a nice size bull moose to fill
the freezer. My yard is huge enough to fit a couple RVs, travel
trailers or ptch some tents too. lol
As far as my mechanic goes, he did tell me the cost of the starter for
"him" was $160 with his discount. I have allways helped him thru out
the last yrs financially to get him out of the red as he also gives me
the discount on all parts in return. This one time I'm not going to
get in a "tizzy" . He did get real quiet though when i said I called
NAPA myself. lol
Yes it is a 4.0 . We will get the 44-6273. Im going to replace the
relay to be on the safe side.
So when you get ready to come to Alaska, let me know! Always welcome
to hang a hat here for a while.
Trish
Mike Romain - 24 Feb 2007 20:24 GMT
>> I noticed that the starter came from NAPA?   Having been an employee
>> of said company, I know there are 3, yes THREE levels of quality
[quoted text clipped - 52 lines]
> Thanks guys, your are my gaurdian angels!
> Trish

The starter relay/solenoid we are talking about is on the fender near
the battery.  They are cheap and do stick on in the real cold.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos:  Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
Trish in Alaska - 24 Feb 2007 18:36 GMT
> Figure the parts store uses the same rebuilder and he just hired someone
> at $5.00 an hour to come rebuild rather than flip burgers....
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
>
> - Show quoted text -

Hi Mike,
Yes thanks for that information. I am going to have him replace the
relay also.
Wish me luck. Too fricken COLD for this nonsense at 40 below! Burrrr!
Trish
Mike Romain - 24 Feb 2007 20:18 GMT
>> Figure the parts store uses the same rebuilder and he just hired someone
>> at $5.00 an hour to come rebuild rather than flip burgers....
[quoted text clipped - 42 lines]
> Wish me luck. Too fricken COLD for this nonsense at 40 below! Burrrr!
> Trish

Just FYI, I have had the solenoid on my CJ7 freeze and have had other
types freeze up too at -40.  In my cases a thump fixed them until I
replaced them.  I figure humidity was getting in them from engine heat
and blowing snow so bought nice fresh hopefully nicely sealed ones.

They are not expensive and after the last starter draw I wouldn't trust it.

Mike
 
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