98 xj8 217k. I did a compression test, the starter function seemed normal. I put the plugs and coils in; now it won't try to turn over. Nothing has changed, no additional codes. I did screw up and forgot to disconnect the battery before I plugged the coils back in, hopefully this did not do any damage.

What I have tried:
-charged the battery (it is good)
-swapped the relays
-checked the starter solenoid fuse
-multiple hard resets
-tried starting it is "N"

I know that multiple things can cause this, but usually it is intermittent or something else is going on. It worked perfect then just totally stopped trying to turn over after I put the plugs and coils back in. My next step is to try and jump the starter for diagnostic purposes, and then start checking connections and grounds.

I am hoping I just missed something stupid, any ideas?

 

By 'turn over' I am assuming you mean that the starter will not rotate the engine. You certainly have hit the items at the top of the list. The 'start checking connections and grounds.' would be where I would go next.

 

Yea test point, it wont crank. I am by myself, so I cant look at the starter when I turn the key to see if it is trying to engage. The thing that confuses me is that it was working perfectly before the plugs and coils went back in. Usually a bad starter shows signs it is going bad, and loose connections create intermittent problems, this just suddenly stopped trying to turn over at all.

I am going to jump the starter to make sure it is working, and then start checking connection, but it seems like I am missing something.

 

Think of anything you could have 'bumped' during the compression test but keep coming back to B+/ground problems. Headlight work OK?

 

Thanks for the ideas test point. The headlights work fine along with power locks and everything else I have tried. I jumped the starter and got it running for about 45sec. The fact that it died might not be related because I was having that issue before the compression test (but the starter had always worked fine).

I think this narrows it down to something electrical. I guess the next step is to start at the starter/solenoid with the multimeter and work my way back until I find where I stop getting correct power.

 

I just realized that I can't test the solenoid power by myself because I can't be turning the key and be under the car at the same time. Since I can't track it down with the multimeter; I am thinking my next step is to "hot wire" it. If it works then the problem must be the ignition, if it doesn't then I will have to wait until I have someone with me and find it with the multimeter.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

 

I have a second guy helping me out so I can get voltage readings. The starter + is about 12.4v while in the on position or while trying to crank. The solenoid is 0v under the same circumstances. This makes sense based on the fact that I can successfully jump the starter with a screw driver.

I am about to bust out the wiring diagram and start trying to track it down. Does anyone have any suggestions for likely culprits that I should check first?

 

Check the Power Cable connector on the FALSE BULKHEAD?????

bob gauff

 

The false bulk head connection and the 25A starter solenoid fuse both have the exact same voltage:
trying to turn it over: 12.11V
on position: 12.18
key out: 12.37

 

Solved. The wire from the solenoid follows the wire that goes to the false bulk head. It branches off under the intake arm to a connector, which was unplugged. When I connect it, it will not snap closed, but now it turns over fine. I must of bumped this faulty connector causing it to disconnect when I was putting everything back together. Thanks for the help guys.