2003 Liberty not starting... again. [SOLVED]

[psyon]

Some of you may remember my saga over the winter, in which AZ gave me the wrong starter twice. Well, today the Liberty decided it didn't want to start again. Started fine first thing in the morning, started fine around lunch time, and then when I went to leave a site, it wouldn't start. Starter isn't even attempting to run. It's acting like the clutch pedal isn't pressed. I tried starting it in 4LO, and that didn't work. Got it pop started and drove home. The clutch switch appears to be working fine. I swapped the starter relay with a different one that I know was working. I don't think it's the ignition tumbler because the clock turns off when I turn the key to start. Before I pull the starter off again to test it, is there something else I should be trying?

2003 Libert 2.4L.

 

[Billwill]

The Actuator Pin Assembly can fail....this can switch on all the Ignition lights but that last bit of movement to move the ignition switch that last degree to start sometimes does not happen....a fairly common problem!

First check if the Starter Motor turns over in both Neutral and in Park...may have a failing interlock switch!

Remove the plastic covers over the top of the Steering Column.
You will see the ignition switch PC board attached to the steering column by a single switch ....early JKs like yours will need a straight forward Allen Key to remove this screw...newer KJs have a Security Screw that requires an Allen Key with the center drilled out.

Pull the switch off the column....you may see some debris falling down!

Put the Ignition Key into its slot so as to enable SKIS and steering wheel rotation, put the Jeep into Neutral and Park....in case one of these interlocks is failing...depress the clutch... and rotate the ignition switch with a flat screwdriver....if the engine now turns over and runs then your Actuator Pin Assembly is worn out....you can get one from Dorman...I believe the Agents do not stock it.

You can pull out the Clutch Switch Relay and short out the pins inside the empty socket so that the Jeep will turn over without pressing the clutch pedal....I have fitted a Clutch Overide Switch at the relay to have my Jeep run without having the clutch depressed.....at one stage I was having a weird problem whereby my Jeep would stall in traffic and not start again. I can now move over to the shoulder by using the starter to move the Jeep out of the way!

 

[JeepJeepster]

You can test everything on the Jeep. Have you checked to see if the starter is getting power?

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[psyon]

Well, in my tired state yesterday, I didn't even think to check the wire from the relay to the solenoid. I went to put a bump switch in this morning to test the starter, and realized it wasn't connected. It doesn't feel like it wants to "lock" on, and I was driving over a prairie yesterday, so I bet it rattled off. Moral of the story, make sure you are rested and firing on all cylinders before trying to figure out why your car won't start.