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Starter problems

Dylpickle88

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So about a month ago I got in my jeep to leave Work and it wouldn’t crank so I jumped on here and started searching. Most everyone said aux battery, so I pulled it out and it was dead as a doornail. Replaced it and still nothing. Then we pulled the starter to find out it was locked up. I replaced it and it fired right up. Now yesterday it did the same thing so I pulled the starter back out to look at it. There was some charring around the rubber where the ground wire goes in and when I pulled on the wire it came right out and I could tell it either broke or burnt off the solder. Exchanged it under warranty and the new one clicked and I could smell burnt electronics and see a little puff of smoke so I think the new one did the same. Do you think it’s just cheap ass advance auto starters or another issue? Any help is greatly appreciated
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alphawolff

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Replace both batteries and double check the z-case fuse. N3 likes to blow and will cause your issue.
 

alphawolff

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the fuse would cause the starter to burn up the ground wire?
I suspect your original starter was fine, honestly. Did you bench test it? You should do a voltage drop test between engine block and battery ground to verify your engine block ground is OK if you think there's something up with the starter. And yes, both batteries should've been replaced as a pair. A blown z-case fuse would cause your exact initial symptoms as well in combination with the failed batteries.
 

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Dylpickle88

Dylpickle88

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I suspect your original starter was fine, honestly. Did you bench test it? You should do a voltage drop test between engine block and battery ground to verify your engine block ground is OK if you think there's something up with the starter. And yes, both batteries should've been replaced as a pair. A blown z-case fuse would cause your exact initial symptoms as well in combination with the failed batteries.
We did bench test it and it would kick the bendix out but wouldn’t spin
 

alphawolff

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We did bench test it and it would kick the bendix out but wouldn’t spin
Quick question, is your coolant level OK? My dumbass went through 3 starters in a grand cherokee 3.6L once because of a blown head gasket temporarily hydro locking the engine burning the starter up. By the time we got our eyes on it the engine wasn't locked anymore and we were going crazy wondering why the starters kept dying.
 
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Dylpickle88

Dylpickle88

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Yea my
Quick question, is your coolant level OK? My dumbass went through 3 starters in a grand cherokee 3.6L once because of a blown head gasket temporarily hydro locking the engine burning the starter up. By the time we got our eyes on it the engine wasn't locked anymore and we we're going crazy wondering why the starters kept dying.
Coolant level is low but it’s had a slow leak from the reservoir
 

alphawolff

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Yea my

Coolant level is low but it’s had a slow leak from the reservoir
Go ahead and do a voltage drop test between block to ground while cranking the engine to verify the block ground is OK. If that's fine do double check your primary battery and the z-case fuse n3 terminal. 3.6L starter failures are *very* rare unless a hydro lock condition is involved
 
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Dylpickle88

Dylpickle88

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Go ahead and do a voltage drop test between block to ground while cranking the engine to verify the block ground is OK. If that's fine do double check your primary battery and the z-case fuse n3 terminal. 3.6L starter failures are *very* rare unless a hydro lock condition is involved
The plastic piece on the z-fuse is all broken and the terminals are loose but it ohms good
 

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It is a head gasket. Any recommendations on replacement?
I feel vindicated. Thanks for following up with the cause, I figured as much with the repeat starter failures. Replace BOTH heads and BOTH head gaskets. If you only replace one the other will probably fail in 5-10k.
 
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Dylpickle88

Dylpickle88

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As soon as I figure out how to pay for it. Lol. Thanks for the help
 

Jamrock

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So many blown head gaskets. People need to check their coolant levels every week or so.
 
 







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