Jeep wouldn't start today...

jzmtl · **on:** October 17, 2011, 04:19:16 AM

Of all the places, it wouldn't start right after I came out of Costco and have guest waiting at home.

Starter wouldn't turn, and my first thought was oh &@#%... Ended up calling for a ride home.

Well after Costco closed, I thought heck I'm not going to leave it there, so went back to the parking lot, and proceed to bump start it myself. Man I'm telling you, when you got 32 inch tires it's a major pain in the butt to push it to enough speed and jump in as fast as you can to get it in gear and try to start, parking lot not being flat doesn't either. After four tries I'm so exhausted my arms and legs are literally shaking, and for those of you who've met me you know I'm not a small guy. Finally I timed it right, whoommmp it's alive!

Drove it home, turned off the engine, and it wouldn't crank, ah &%$* again, there goes $300.

Being a bonehead I refuse to let go. Since it's already dark, I strapped on my Princeton Tec EOS and went to work. The starter came off easy enough (thank god! with the salt we have on road every bolt tend to be rust shut), I took it inside and started prodding it. After quite some time and running out of ideas, I yanked on the cable going from solenoid to the motor, and the dang thing fell off! I couldn't see it with the sleeve on, but the entire cable was turned to dust! (again the road salt!) No wonder it wouldn't crank.

So I proceed to make one myself.. Used 8 strands of 12 gauge electric wire (probably overkill), soldered them together, my soldering iron doesn't make nearly enough heat so I ended up using propane torch and about half meter of solder wire. Then I took the bracket off solenoid, made a new surface with belt sander, and soldered my new wire on. The other end of original cable has no connector and goes directly into motor, so I used the little stub left and torch soldered the new wire directly onto it. Some rubber and plastic burned in the whole process, and my windows are open right now to air out the stink.

After some more grinding, fitting, prodding and testing, I put everything back together, and it fired right up.

I'll see how my jerry rigged setup lasts.

So that's how I spent the last 6 hours, pretty happy right now since I didn't have to buy a new starter, and at least it died today not in the middle of the winter in middle of nowhere! And I probably got enough work out for today.

Anyway just want to share something interesting that happened.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #1 on:** October 17, 2011, 05:26:18 AM

Not much fun pushing a Jeep is it? Daned things are heavy!

Mine died on me last month while sitting at a light- it stalled and there was no power at all, not even any to put on the four ways! Luckily someone eventually stopped and offered me a boost, and it started up without a problem. I haven't had an issue since then either, and I've chalked it up to a quirk of a twelve year old truck that survived being written off after a fire in the engine cavity...

Def

Smitty44 · **Reply #2 on:** October 17, 2011, 06:09:43 AM

Great shade tree mechanic work jzmtl.

Neil · **Reply #3 on:** October 17, 2011, 10:47:13 AM

That's hardcore kludging

You need beer

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #4 on:** October 17, 2011, 03:56:55 PM

As a Series Land Rover owner, I salute you!

That's a fine McGyver moment.

Of course, if you had a Series Rover, you'd just put the crankhandle in the dog on the front of the crankpulley and crank start it...

jzmtl · **Reply #5 on:** October 17, 2011, 06:10:53 PM

Hehe, thanks, let's see how it holds up first. I put some anti-seize and grease on the exposed parts so hopefully it'll shield them from further corrosion, and prevent any salt getting into the motor.

Although Nate, I'd say if it had a crank handle I'd still get the same amount of work out after watching your fine demonstration.

But in seriousness, I do wish modern vehicles (at least the more truck like ones) still have them, would save a lot of frustration and can probably save some lives for people get stuck in a remote area.

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #6 on:** October 17, 2011, 06:22:36 PM

Quote from: jzmtl on October 17, 2011, 06:10:53 PM

Hehe, thanks, let's see how it holds up first. I put some anti-seize and grease on the exposed parts so hopefully it'll shield them from further corrosion, and prevent any salt getting into the motor.

Although Nate, I'd say if it had a crank handle I'd still get the same amount of work out after watching your fine demonstration. But in seriousness, I do wish modern vehicles (at least the more truck like ones) still have them, would save a lot of frustration and can probably save some lives for people get stuck in a remote area.

Yea, she was a bit tempermental that day...

New wires and dielectric grease along the edge of the distributor cap has seemed to improve her "response" rate.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #7 on:** October 17, 2011, 06:27:32 PM

Nice bit of work that

tattoosteve99 · **Reply #8 on:** October 18, 2011, 02:11:51 AM

J.E.E.P. = Just empty every pocket

J-sews · **Reply #9 on:** October 18, 2011, 02:22:08 AM

Yet another chapter in the epic battle of man -vs- machine. And the colder it gets outside, the more brutal the struggle becomes. $:-\$

Congrats on winning this round Jie!

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #10 on:** October 18, 2011, 02:23:36 AM

Funny you should post that- my friend is always complaining that he's always losing stuff out his pockets when riding in my Jeep. I will never hear the end of the time I ran over his phone case when he dropped it in the mud. It looked pretty cool with the tire track going across it though!

Def

Mercury · **Reply #11 on:** October 18, 2011, 09:36:42 AM

Glad you got it going! That can be frustrating, especially when no help is available.

I had a flat the other day at the gas station, so I figured I would just yank the nail I thought it was and patch it, then proceed to fill it and leave. I was parked near the air pump so all was good. I get down under the car because of course the offending pointy thing is not on TOP of the tire, and find that it's a 1 inch long, quarter inch wide shard of steel slag from the welders at the shop where I worked at the time.

Ever the "optimist", I swore a blue streak and pulled out my blast to yank the shard out. Came out easily, but at an angle that was nearly impossible to push a plug back through. I spent 30 minutes reaming and trying to plug that hole, so much that I wore myself out and a friend showed up to relieve me. Smurfhole got it through on the first try.

Wouldn't you know a week later I got another screw in the same damn tire?

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #12 on:** October 18, 2011, 02:40:29 PM

I always carry a tire sealant and compressor in all my cars despite having a full sized spare in both the Jeep and the VW. You can pick up a decent compressor these days for about $30-50 and a bottle of sealant is less than $10. If you get a flat, leave the screw, nail etc in the tire, twist out the airlock from inside the valve stem, fill it with the sealant, replace the airlock, pump up the tire and drive for at least 20 minutes. I find it's a lot easier than jacking the car up, fighting with stubborn lugs and getting dirty by handling tires.

Plus, it means you still have the spare in case anything happens before you can pick up a new bottle of sealant.

Of course I also have one not so little problem with changing tires- I don't usually carry a jack in the Jeep. The small bottle jack that came with my Jeep is worthless, as it has to extend over twice it's stored height just to reach the bottom of the frame (and I don't have a lift kit or big tires!) which takes forever, and once it does encounter the frame it doesn't give you enough leverage to lift the heavy Jeep off the ground properly, or hold it securely. So, I replaced it with a Hi Lift jack, which gets the Jeep up off the ground in seconds, but is way too big and bulky to carry inside, and would rust almost instantly if bolted to the outside.

So, all the more reason to carry a bottle of sealant....

Def

jzmtl · **Reply #13 on:** October 18, 2011, 03:23:33 PM

Grant if you put the stock bottle jack under axle it's tall enough, and the part inside the cylinder actually unscrew to give you even more height. I didn't know until someone else mentioned it, very sneaky.

Sent from my phone using tap tap tap

Pacu · **Reply #14 on:** October 18, 2011, 04:01:24 PM

my jeep is giving me hell right now...i have a dirty or broke ABS sensor so no ABS or cruise control...and a dash full of lights. Haven't had time to replace it as i've been working 70+ hours each week doing store remodels. I've been living in various hotels since middle August.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #15 on:** October 18, 2011, 04:10:03 PM

Quote from: jzmtl on October 18, 2011, 03:23:33 PM

Grant if you put the stock bottle jack under axle it's tall enough, and the part inside the cylinder actually unscrew to give you even more height. I didn't know until someone else mentioned it, very sneaky.

Sent from my phone using tap tap tap

Well it's a moot point anyway as I don't have the handle things that turn the knob on the bottle jack anyways.

Quote from: Pacu on October 18, 2011, 04:01:24 PM

my jeep is giving me hell right now...i have a dirty or broke ABS sensor so no ABS or cruise control...and a dash full of lights. Haven't had time to replace it as i've been working 70+ hours each week doing store remodels. I've been living in various hotels since middle August.

Christmas and retail.... doesn't get much better than that!

Def

jzmtl · **Reply #16 on:** October 18, 2011, 05:52:59 PM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on October 18, 2011, 04:10:03 PM

Well it's a moot point anyway as I don't have the handle things that turn the knob on the bottle jack anyways.

Me neither, I use pliers to turn it.

It's really for emergency only anyway, shown working on it I use a 12 ton bottle jack.

Sent from my phone using tap tap tap

Ashley · **Reply #17 on:** October 18, 2011, 09:16:10 PM

I think with the $300 you saved you best get a new multi.

Threeme2189 · **Reply #18 on:** October 18, 2011, 09:47:04 PM

I'm curious, wasn't there anybody at the parking lot that could help you bump start the jeep?

Last weekend my brother, a friend and me got stuck in a small water filled ditch with an old pickup.
We were trying to push/drive it out for a while when a nice guy with a small suzuki samurai drove over and helped us tow the truck out with a rope he had.

jzmtl · **Reply #19 on:** October 18, 2011, 10:39:13 PM

Quote from: Threeme2189 on October 18, 2011, 09:47:04 PM

I'm curious, wasn't there anybody at the parking lot that could help you bump start the jeep?

Last weekend my brother, a friend and me got stuck in a small water filled ditch with an old pickup.
We were trying to push/drive it out for a while when a nice guy with a small suzuki samurai drove over and helped us tow the truck out with a rope he had.

When I went back the store has already closed, so the lot was empty. I don't know about how's it like in Israel, but here once past the closing hour, shopping center turns into ghost town.

I could have called other people to help, but I wanted to see if I can do it myself in case I need to in the future and no one is available.

Mercury · **Reply #20 on:** October 18, 2011, 11:51:36 PM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on October 18, 2011, 02:40:29 PM

I always carry a tire sealant and compressor in all my cars despite having a full sized spare in both the Jeep and the VW. You can pick up a decent compressor these days for about $30-50 and a bottle of sealant is less than $10. If you get a flat, leave the screw, nail etc in the tire, twist out the airlock from inside the valve stem, fill it with the sealant, replace the airlock, pump up the tire and drive for at least 20 minutes. I find it's a lot easier than jacking the car up, fighting with stubborn lugs and getting dirty by handling tires.

Plus, it means you still have the spare in case anything happens before you can pick up a new bottle of sealant.

Of course I also have one not so little problem with changing tires- I don't usually carry a jack in the Jeep. The small bottle jack that came with my Jeep is worthless, as it has to extend over twice it's stored height just to reach the bottom of the frame (and I don't have a lift kit or big tires!) which takes forever, and once it does encounter the frame it doesn't give you enough leverage to lift the heavy Jeep off the ground properly, or hold it securely. So, I replaced it with a Hi Lift jack, which gets the Jeep up off the ground in seconds, but is way too big and bulky to carry inside, and would rust almost instantly if bolted to the outside.

So, all the more reason to carry a bottle of sealant....

Def

That's a really good idea, I never carry tire sealant so I didn't think about using it. My car doesn't come with a spare at all , but I do have a compressor in it's place. I don't understand Ford, they make a place for a spare, shaped like it and everything, but they build a styrofoam wheel shaped holder for a compressor.

jzmtl · **Reply #21 on:** October 18, 2011, 11:56:05 PM

Compressor is cheaper than tire plus wheel, duh.

Carlos · **Reply #22 on:** October 19, 2011, 12:30:12 AM

I've heard that starting engines the way you describe -- pushing the car, making it roll and gear up -- is not recommended on newer models because it ruins the electronics. Don't know how true that is. In your case you didn't had much choices left, anyway.

Each time we're more dependent on assistance services. In fact here is forbidden to change tyres, for instance, on highways. You must call of the highway's assistance teams.

J-sews · **Reply #23 on:** October 19, 2011, 02:44:00 AM

Quote from: Carlos on October 19, 2011, 12:30:12 AM

I've heard that starting engines the way you describe -- pushing the car, making it roll and gear up -- is not recommended on newer models because it ruins the electronics. Don't know how true that is. In your case you didn't had much choices left, anyway.

Each time we're more dependent on assistance services. In fact here is forbidden to change tyres, for instance, on highways. You must call of the highway's assistance teams.

Wow, that's crazy Carlos $:-\$

jzmtl · **Reply #24 on:** October 19, 2011, 03:16:44 AM

Do you get charged for their "assistance"? Here if you break down on the highway, you must call the "provincially appointed" tow contractor, even if you have say AAA/CAA.

Then again I do live in the most corrupted province in Canada.

Mercury · **Reply #25 on:** October 19, 2011, 06:22:15 AM

Here in Texas, unless you break down in the city, you are most likely going to have to change your flat in the dirt because we just don't have too many shoulders on our roads. Kinda sucks what with all the snakes, scorpions, and fire ants that run rampant here.

Carlos · **Reply #26 on:** October 19, 2011, 01:30:13 PM

Quote from: jzmtl on October 19, 2011, 03:16:44 AM

Do you get charged for their "assistance"? Here if you break down on the highway, you must call the "provincially appointed" tow contractor, even if you have say AAA/CAA.

I missed that part AAA/CAA ... some kind of insurance?
But yes, the assistance is paid. I've checked the prices, it's 25€ for "activation" and 12,5€ for each half hour of work.

jzmtl · **Reply #27 on:** October 19, 2011, 06:49:45 PM

Quote from: Carlos on October 19, 2011, 01:30:13 PM

Quote from: jzmtl on October 19, 2011, 03:16:44 AM
Do you get charged for their "assistance"? Here if you break down on the highway, you must call the "provincially appointed" tow contractor, even if you have say AAA/CAA.
I missed that part AAA/CAA ... some kind of insurance?
But yes, the assistance is paid. I've checked the prices, it's 25€ for "activation" and 12,5€ for each half hour of work.

It's an organization that you pay a yearly membership fee, and you get a few times of free jump start/towing/tire changing etc. per year.

Gareth · **Reply #28 on:** October 19, 2011, 11:47:08 PM

In the UK you have to carry a spare tire, it should also be properly inflated and have a legal amount of tread on it. I can't remember the last time I checked it's pressure if I'm honest, better get it done soon.