Yep, my Jeep just broke down, won’t start

[Arterius2]

So that dreaded day has arrived, I was wondering when I’d be dealt the bad hand.
14500km on the odometer.
It just died on me when I turned off ignition for a few minute to grab something from the trunk and then it won’t start back again. Stiff break pedal, and makes a series of “clicking” noise when I try the ignition. Voltage seems fine, anyone have experience with this?

Manually disengaged the parking gear and waiting for tow truck to arrive while writing this.

[update] Leaving it overnight didn’t fix itself so tow truck arrived this morning and off to the dealership it goes! (He tried his battery booster and didn’t help either)

[update 2] It ended being a dead starter, part was on back-order for 2 weeks. But eventually resolved the issue.

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[Shepherd12]

I had that same issue the other day. Checked the voltage and even used a battery booster - no start. I rolled it backward down my driveway and attempted to pop-start it (manual transmission) and it wouldn’t go. I towed it back forward with my ATV, tried it again, and it started right up. IDK. Fired up just fine every time since. It’s not my DD and I have not had time to figure it out just yet. Intermittent issues are tough to diagnose. I hope you get a better answer and report back!

 

[Arterius2]

I had that same issue the other day. Checked the voltage and even used a battery booster - no start. I rolled it backward down my driveway and attempted to pop-start it (manual transmission) and it wouldn’t go. I towed it back forward with my ATV, tried it again, and it started right up. IDK. Fired up just fine every time since. It’s not my DD and I have not had time to figure it out just yet. Intermittent issues are tough to diagnose. I hope you get a better answer and report back!

was it making that continuous clicking sound when you try to start?

 

[Shepherd12]

Yeah, in a quick burst of them. It sounded to me like a solenoid firing (which I would expect a starter to make, were the engine not firing.)

 

[FirstF80InSpace]

How did you check the voltage? You need to check the voltage of the aux. battery and not the big battery that's visible. And that's done by isolating it. I can't remember how to do it, but there are plenty of forum posts on how to do it.The aux. is what's responsible for starting the Jeep.

Possibilities could be a bad aux. battery, bad relay, loose grounds, etc.

 

[ZEN357]

Sounds like you starter is going out or has went out. I replaced mine with this one. Great starter but a bit pricey.

https://www.jegs.com/i/Tuff-Stuff/908/3215/10002/-1?ymm=4294780011+4294829873+4294770952

 

[Arterius2]

How did you check the voltage? You need to check the voltage of the aux. battery and not the big battery that's visible. And that's done by isolating it. I can't remember how to do it, but there are plenty of forum posts on how to do it.The aux. is what's responsible for starting the Jeep.

Possibilities could be a bad aux. battery, bad relay, loose grounds, etc.

I don’t have an aux but the 48v battery instead, I tried jumping it with another vehicle and no luck.
(the 12v was showing 12.8v when I jumped it with another vehicle.)

 

[Arterius2]

So dealer diagnosed that my starter is gone and will need a replacement.
However parts are on back-order and may take at least 2 weeks, at best.
And told me that there are no loaner cars.
There goes my plans for the next few weeks.

I voiced my complaints and he told me to call FCA Canada customer care and see what they can do for me.
So as soon as I got off the phone with him I called FCA Canada.

This has to be the-
Worst. Customer. Service. Ever.
First, she tells me that she can't expedite part orders unless it has been sitting for at least 10 days.
and then she tells it's my "problem" and will have to deal without loaner vehicles.
Yes, that was her exact wording, "I'm sorry but it is clearly stated in our warranty contract that it is customer's responsibility to provide themselves with alternative transportation options.
I asked if there is anything else she could do for me since the Jeep is my DD and I have trips already planned out for the next 2 weeks.
It felt as if I was taking up her time, she said, No, is that all for today?
I thanked her and hanged up.

My gf always made fun of my Jeep (she drives BMW), and I have always defended FCA and Jeep in the past.
BMW has always provided her with loaner vehicle even for a simple problem that took a day or two.
She's going to have a field day when I tell her my experience today, and I think I'm out of excuses.

 

[Jeepcity]

Hyundai provides loaner cars as well, for longer periods. What does that tell you .

 

[four low]

Take the starter off, and see if you can repair it yourself, or at a shop that does them.
Might be a simple bad connection, loose wire that you will find yourself...

 

[Arterius2]

Take the starter off, and see if you can repair it yourself, or at a shop that does them.
Might be a simple bad connection, loose wire that you will find yourself...

dealer said they’ve already checked for bad connections.

 

[FirstF80InSpace]

Service quality is very dealer dependent. My dealer provides loaners, and if they’re all out, they offer to pay for a car rental.

When all is fixed, I would seek out a new dealership.

Out of curiosity, do you leave the auto stop/start on? Just wondering if ESS accelerates potential starter failures.

 

[Arterius2]

Service quality is very dealer dependent. My dealer provides loaners, and if they’re all out, they offer to pay for a car rental.

When all is fixed, I would seek out a new dealership.

Out of curiosity, do you leave the auto stop/start on? Just wondering if ESS accelerates potential starter failures.

it’s my understanding that 2.0 uses BSG to engage start/stop except for initial cold start operation so it shouldn’t wear out the starter faster.

 

[jameslavis]

If you’re in Ontario the guys at 400 Jeep seem solid in the facebook group. Maybe try them

 

[COBill]

Service quality is very dealer dependent. My dealer provides loaners, and if they’re all out, they offer to pay for a car rental.

You are correct; things like this are goodwill on the part of the dealer as FCA's warranty specifically states they won't pay for a loaner or rental.

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