03 4.0l no crank no start problem

[TechGuru]

As in running a cable from the positive battery terminal to the bolt on the back of the starter where constant power connects? I tried that yesterday while waiting for the tow truck, with no luck, although I'm not certain I had a good connection with my cables (starter isn't exactly super accessible without taking off a tire)

I did a voltage drop test on the constant power and it gave me under 0.1v, which should mean I'm not getting too much resistance on that part of the circuit right? I need to do the same to the negative side tonight if I can find the time.

No direct power to the solenoid terminal

12V Remote Starter Switch

Amazing deals on this 12V Remote Starter Switch at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

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[MakinJeepsWeep!]

Thats a good idea. An you can make that switch if you font have a place to get one close

 

[Scurvy]

No direct power to the solenoid terminal

12V Remote Starter Switch

Amazing deals on this 12V Remote Starter Switch at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Ok cool. Bought one on Amazon. Where should I be connecting the switch? One end to the solenoid obviously, the other to the constant power on the starter?

 

[MakinJeepsWeep!]

I guess i missed the part where you replaced the starter already or i forgot. Your starter has the solenoid attached to it right? I know it should but there is those one off stuff out there. So If you have a fresh starter and a good battery that should rule those to out and kinda rules out the alt as well if it wont always crank with your jump pack or whatever you where using. What you need to do is find your signal wire on your solenoid and hot and jump those with your button, all you are doing it telling the solenoid to activate to send 12v to the starter. I could explain this better if i had one to stare at. I hope that helps maybe someone else can give more exact wires.

 

[Scurvy]

Its been a busy two months, so I haven't even looked a the truck until today. I did some messing around, and I found that when I connect my volt meter to the starter housing and the negative a battery cable, then crank the truck I get 12.xx volts. I then connected my jumper cable to the same spots - negative battery connection and the starter housing. The truck started up!

Now comes the real question - what does this prove? Is my negative battery cable ****ed, or is the starter not grounding? My lights, stereo, etc don't do weird stuff when I crank, and I do not get any voltage drop across the battery terminals when cranking. (if I have 12.24v before cranking, it stays at 12.24v while cranking. Turning on the headlights causes the voltage to drop slightly.)

 

[TechGuru]

I'm trying to remember. Don't these vehicles have a jumper cable down near the starter somewhere? If so I'm betting that is bad or gone...

 

[cancrusher187]

Its been a busy two months, so I haven't even looked a the truck until today. I did some messing around, and I found that when I connect my volt meter to the starter housing and the negative a battery cable, then crank the truck I get 12.xx volts. I then connected my jumper cable to the same spots - negative battery connection and the starter housing. The truck started up!

Now comes the real question - what does this prove? Is my negative battery cable ****ed, or is the starter not grounding? My lights, stereo, etc don't do weird stuff when I crank, and I do not get any voltage drop across the battery terminals when cranking. (if I have 12.24v before cranking, it stays at 12.24v while cranking. Turning on the headlights causes the voltage to drop slightly.)

Get a Sperry continuity tester

Model #CT6101​

And check your continuity at your battery. If it says it's backwards then your battery shorted. Just happened to me and I've never seen that happen in my life. I replaced everything except the fuel pump. Put a new batt in then the starter quit. I'm still chasing this crap. $6.00 at HD and ALWAYS check that first. It's the easiest and takes two minutes.

 

[Scurvy]

I'm trying to remember. Don't these vehicles have a jumper cable down near the starter somewhere? If so I'm betting that is bad or gone...

As far as I am aware this vehicle never had one. Others on this thread claim they had a ground wire coming off one of the starter bolts, but I can not see any evidence that would make you think my truck had one previously - no signs of a wire, or where it was bolted to.

That said, I put one in anyways. Found a hole in the frame that was close to the starter, bought some 4ga wire and connectors and built my own cable. Now the starter is grounded to the frame, more specifically I think it was the drivers side front differential mount?

The truck is not currently insured, but it just fired up without issue after sitting for ~36 hours. I am going to let it sit for a few days, then fire it up on Saturday. Assuming it fires up after that I am going to purposely drain the battery some (down to ~12.2v or so) and see if I get any issues.

Get a Sperry continuity tester

Model #CT6101​

And check your continuity at your battery. If it says it's backwards then your battery shorted. Just happened to me and I've never seen that happen in my life. I replaced everything except the fuel pump. Put a new batt in then the starter quit. I'm still chasing this crap. $6.00 at HD and ALWAYS check that first. It's the easiest and takes two minutes.

Its not the battery. It has been doing this off and on with two different batteries. The old one (old being relative, it wasn't 2 years old yet and still under warranty) got exchanged for a new one on warranty, and that didn't solve anything.

I feel like I've narrowed it down to either the starter not grounding or the negative battery cable being ****ed, but I'm not getting any of the other symptoms you'd expect from a bad negative battery cable like flickering/dimming lights, stereo cutting out, etc.

 

[donalds]

Ground the starter to the battery
Then ground your engine to the frame
You have a bad ground somewhere look for green corrosion

 

[MakinJeepsWeep!]

Sorry I've been busy and haven't been here in so long. Anyway Grounds are everywhere while doing other work on mine I found a new ground I didn't know about and got it cleaned up!