Needed: Shop in Mt Vernon (Jeep no start)

[adamgh81]

My in-laws 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee (3.7L V6, 4wd) won't start and they're looking for a reputable shop around Mt Vernon/Apple Valley Lake.

 

Long version:

They started to leave the house, turned around when they forgot something, turned off the ignition and took the key out. Said it sounded like the key was still in the ignition and was making dings and noises. They came back out, used a different key to attempt to start and nothing happened. No fuel pump or servo noise, nothing. They waited a few minutes and tried to start again and just heard what sounded like the starter click once with the associated electrical noises from a normal start. Since then that's all they can get. Starter never fully engages and the engine never turns over.

 

Sounds like a bad starter to me. My father-in-law (the jeep owner) is a retired electrical engineer so he's trying to diagnose anything electrical.

 

Any suggestion on a local shop or other diagnosis would be appreciated. Thanks.

[adamgh81]

The battery was new over the winter, was holding 12.45 volts before we turned the key. Down to 11.92 volts when we turn the key. No corrosion and terminals have a good tight connection. Relays look tight and fuses look good.

[ImUrOBGYN]

Sounds like the charging system may be lacking, for example their alternator, and it's killing the battery over time. Have you checked the voltage on it? You can always have autozone or one of those check it for free.

 

Try jumping the car, too. (Properly - and giving it time to charge a bit.) If it starts, then it's a really good chance it's something within the charging system.

[Geeesammy]

When I was at Firestone I did a few ignition switches on those, as well as starters. The starters can be done fairly easily. A lot of people will say to drop the front cv axle but you can sneak up around it with extensions and a swivel. 2 of them I've replaced needed both the starter and ignition switch. Not sure if it was a fluke or a lot do that.

[adamgh81]

Retightened and pounded the terminal cables down into some untouched metal and she fired right up. Not sure if it was just a bad connection or what but that was the only thing we really did.

[ImUrOBGYN]

lol You'd be suprised. I almost asked if you'd simply tried that, yet but didn't want to pose the old I.T. customer service question, "Sir or Mam, is your computer turned on?"

 

Anyway, glad you got it figured out. Hopefully, that takes care of it.

[adamgh81]

They're still having issues with it. Won't start again. New battery over the winter but he thinks it may be bad. Or alternator...