Replaced starter, now what?

[89JeepYJ]

I recently acquired a 1989 Jeep Wrangler YJ with the 2.5L inline-4 (107k original miles). The vehicle has been sitting for an extended period.

The engine is not seized — I’ve verified it rotates freely by hand at the crankshaft. I’ve changed the oil and saw no indication of coolant contamination or head gasket failure. The original starter tested bad and has been replaced.

A new, fully charged battery has been installed.

Current issue:

• With the key in the RUN position (first click), there are no dash warning lights or cluster illumination.
• When turned to START, the starter engages momentarily and attempts to rotate the engine but immediately stops.
• On a second attempt, there is no crank and no response.

Given the lack of ignition power in RUN and the brief starter engagement, I’m suspecting a possible issue with the ignition switch, ignition actuator, bulkhead connection, poor main ground, or a high-resistance connection at the battery/starter/solenoid circuit.

Before I start tracing voltage, I’d appreciate input on common failure points on the 2.5L YJ that could cause these symptoms.

Thanks!

 

[Flyer58]

Oh wow, begin anywhere you want because there's a chance for electrical corrosion everywhere.

Starter problems sound like the main battery cables have corrosion either inside the cable itself or at the connectors. IF you're careful, you can check the starter with jumper cables and a screwdriver. I just cut open my old cables and found bad corrosion at each end. Before buying new cables, look at the Big 7 Cable kit, it makes a huge difference.

Next check is to pull and clean every fuse you can find. They have a bad history of corroding on the blades.

Check any ground connection you can find between the engine and body.

As for the dash lights, you'll need to pull the panels and clean all those connections and check light bulbs.

It's a time consuming task but these are common areas where corrosion is found. Most Jeep owners have been through this.

 

[Gilaguy23]

Jeeps were never known for stout electrical systems. Bad grounds can be a big issue and I see rust which says corrosion. Battery cables can look good but be internally for one. If you turn the key to the run position are you getting voltage anywhere like to the fuse box or fuses under the hood? Look for spliced wires everywhere.
Ive had over a dozen jeeps and just about every one had some sort of hack job on the wiring so look closely at everything. Being it cranked ofr a second then was dead that sounds like a bad connection somewhere. The ignition switch is down the steering column, have a look at the connector and feel if the rod that goes from the key switch to the electrical switch actually moves when the key is turned.