2005 Jeep Liberty wont turn over, checked ignition switch and not broken.

[lennyjeep]

Hello, I have checked this form for tips and things to try, but lost on why my jeep liberty 3.7L gas. it wont turn over or more so wont start . I also have a spare complete 2003 Jeep Liberty 3.7l for parts.


I removed the steering column cover and checked the Ignition switch actuator pin. mine is perfect and not broken off. I did not replace the ignition switch itself (the Black part the ignition switch actuator pin goes into). However I have a spare Jeep I can replace both parts to test. I watched a youtube video and if the radio light turns off when you turn the key, its a good thing, Mine does this. I removed the ignition switch itself ( the black part) and tried to start that manually and still wont crank. I had the key in the ignition and on position, tired all ways.

I dont get any codes on the dash only the check engine light, oil light, and that's about it.

Before this issue occurred I used to have to put my Jeep in Neutral position and it would start.

I have tried the trick where a person uses a wire to bypass the starter relay fuse. I have tried with the key in the start position, the on position, vehicle in park and neutral. My Mine just turns over and over and no go. So I am thinking its a different problem.

EDIT: I have read further on this forum and jumping the relay should allow the vehicle to start, but it still wont. i have a similar problem to this post :

new here need help no start

ok so went out hunting my 2007 jeep liberty was find dad drove to bottom of mounting to pick me up after i shot on drove back up top to get my stand turned jeep off then came back wouldnt start no crack.. relays working starters has power all fuses are working so all im left with is neutral...

www.jeepkj.com

EDIT2: I have replaced fuel fuse and starter relay fuse, fuel pump relay, starter relay, ASD relay.

I am thinking i need to put the vehicle on diagnostics to further investigate. its strange why it still wont turn over.

 

[LibertyTC]

Welcome to the forums.
It would be very helpful to have it scanned for any & all stored codes.
I'm wondering if the neutral safety switch may be out of adjustment or faulty.
Here are some links that may be helpful:https://www.google.com/search?q=jee...y+switch&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-1
The 05 factory service manual is here: http://www.colorado4wheel.com/manuals/Jeep/KJ/2005JeepKJServiceManual.pdf
Bill our electrical specialist hopefully chimes in, sorry but I'm suffering a flu bug right now, & can barely think straight.

 

[john e denson]

ricks free auto repair advice.com has a very good article about this problem and ways to check things

 

[Ksat]

Just a thought but perhaps the ignition switch isn't actually in the "run" position when you jumped the starter relay. Are all the lights and gauges on the instrument cluster operating like they normally would be when the key is turned? If they are, then perhaps you need to check the usual suspects such as spark, fuel, compression, etc, to see why it's not starting.

 

[john e denson]

Hi, I have a similar problem. thank you all for the help here. This issue has been going on for a few months. My 05 jeep liberty will not start when I jump the starter relay while the key is on. The radio goes out when I start the engine when it cranks up too. I am beginning to think my problem is in the computer or security sytem. When I TRY to crank it sometimes I will not have any power to the starter. Then it gains power on its own or the ground improves. Next, I get a click at the starter. Wait a while longer and it will then start. The headlights are bright the whole time. it will start fine for weeks then act up. Then it will be fine again for a few weeks.

 

[Billwill]

Put the Jeep in Park and Neutral at the same time...either one will do the trick but one might not be working.

You can remove the Actuator Pin assembly then with the key in the Ignition Slot to enable Skim and disable Steering Lock, rotate the Ignition Switch itself with a small flat screwdriver all the way...engine should turn over and start...sometimes the Actuator Pin Assembly looks OK but is actually damaged at the tip so it does not rotate far enough!

Do you get the Skim red LED on left of cluster ON solid or Flashing?
Do you hear the Fuel Pump running?

Check all the fuses under the Hood and on the interior fuse panel.
Swap the ASD Relay over with an identical one nearby.

You can download the 2005 Jeep KJ Service Manuals here:

www.colorado4wheel.com/manuals/Jeep/KJ/

I believe the 2005 KJ is the last model year that you can pull codes out of the Cluster using the "Key" trick:

Without starting the engine, rapidly turn the Ignition Key to the ON position 3 times...after the third ON time leave the ignition ON...the Odometer Display should display Error Codes from the oldest to the newest..write them down!

The oldest codes may be ancient and no longer of value but write down the last 6 or so and work with those!

 

[john e denson]

.

 

[john e denson]

no codes and the red light stays on till the jeep cranks. Then it disappears.

 

[lennyjeep]

Hello, I have tried to start the vehicle with a ***** driver in the Ignition switch. I even replaced the ignition switch off the spare Liberty i have and it is the same result. It will not turn over in Park, Neutral. I have the key in the run position ( all the way to the forward as if you were going to turn over the vehicle). trying this way the vehicle will not still turn over using a ***** driver or key.

My friend checked the fuel pump and we can hear that working. The only way to get the vehicle to turn over is to use a wire on the starter relay that it will turn over but not start. If it is a computer problem i might as well scrap the rig. I will try some of the other suggestions and i appreciate everyone's help.

I have checked all fuses and relays and replaced many off of the identical Liberty i have. I am lost on why it just wont start. However i will keep trying.

 

[john e denson]

hi, I have the same problem with my 05 when I jump the starter relay. The only thing that is different is mine is an intermittent starting problem. That just messes up every so often. I think we are not getting fire to the coils or the injectors. Makes me think it is in the security system or computer. I saw a video where a guy jumped his computer by putting a **** fuse in the fuse box. He did it to put power to his fuel pump. I was thinking bout doing this for the ASD fuse 26 if my 05 quits working altogether. Let me know if you find out what our problem is and how to fix it.

 

[john e denson]

guess this board thought I said a curse word when I was talking bout the fuse. IT looks like a regular fuse but it has a wire coming out the side so you can bypass the circuit it is on. YOU would need two of them to make this work.

 

[lennyjeep]

I will gladly let you know. I have a spare Liberty for parts but i am not mechanically inclined. I dont have a garage to work indoors and its cold and winter here now in Newfoundland Canada. All i can do is replace fuses and relays and i replaced the starter module. Still no go in Park or Neutral. i dont see any codes on the dash and everything seems normal. The lights work, heat works. radio etc.. but will not turn over or start. Only a wire crossing out the starter relay will attempt to start. I am thinking i may need to wait until spring as no one will be able to help me outdoors. I will gladly let you know what i find out and if i ever get it running again.

 

[john e denson]

OK I will start checking things out again when my jeep starts acting up. I will post here when I finally fgure it out.

 

[Billwill]

If the motor is not turning over:

Check the Battery Cables are clean and tight on the Terminals.
Check the Negative battery lead going to chassis/engine is clean and tight.
Check the two cables coming off the rear of the heads on the V6 going onto the Firewall are clean and tight.

Take a Multimeter set to DC Volts and place it across the battery terminals..should show about 12.3 volts and should drop down to about 10.3 volts when ignition turned to Start..this is the voltage drop expected across the Starter Motor when activated.

Repeat the above measurements with the Starter Relay removed and Female pins 30 and 87 jumpered together briefly.

Measure the voltage on the small terminal of the Starter Motor while someone turns the Ignition to Start ...should show +12 volts with respect to the Starter Motor casing/ground.
Likewise with the Starter Relay jumpered out!

Likewise check that the thick red wire going to the large lug on the Starter Motor has +12 volts on it with respect to chassis/ground/starter casing at all times...even with ignition OFF.

If the Starter Motor does turn over with the Starter Relay pins 30 and 87 jumpered together we need to look into the reason why the ECU is not energizing the Starter Relay!

If all the voltages are present on the Starter Motor but it does not rotate...remove the Starter Motor...first disconnect Battery completely as the thick wire to the Starter Motor is live at all times!

Test the Starter Motor out of the Jeep by applying Ground to the casing, +12 volts to the large terminal and +12 volts to the small terminal....should spin!

 

[john e denson]

Hi, I latched on to this tread because my jeep will not start when I jump the starter relay. It will crank but will not start. I have an intermittent problem. It will work fine for weeks, then it will mess up. After a day or so it will be good for another few weeks. When it acts up there is not even a click. Wait a bit and then there is a click. Wait a bit more then there is a clunk. Wait a bit more and it cranks up fine. This usually takes less than 30 minutes. One time it took a couple of hours. I thought it was a heat issue at first cause it would happen while I was just running around town. But the other day it did it first thing in the morning. The lights are bright when it happens. So I think it has to do with the grounding side of my circuit. I followed someone else on another thread with the same problem. He had his towed 6 times. 3 times to the dealership. They never got any codes or figured it out. After 1200 hundred dollars he traded it in to the dealership.

 

[john e denson]

Hi, I latched on to this tread because my jeep will not start when I jump the starter relay. It will crank but will not start. I have an intermittent problem. It will work fine for weeks, then it will mess up. After a day or so it will be good for another few weeks. When it acts up there is not even a click. Wait a bit and then there is a click. Wait a bit more then there is a clunk. Wait a bit more and it cranks up fine. This usually takes less than 30 minutes. One time it took a couple of hours. I thought it was a heat issue at first cause it would happen while I was just running around town. But the other day it did it first thing in the morning. The lights are bright when it happens. So I think it has to do with the grounding side of my circuit. I followed someone else on another thread with the same problem. He had his towed 6 times. 3 times to the dealership. They never got any codes or figured it out. After 1200 hundred dollars he traded it in to the dealership.

 

[lennyjeep]

Hello Billwill :

My issue so far is :

If the Starter Motor does turn over with the Starter Relay pins 30 and 87 jumpered together we need to look into the reason why the ECU is not energizing the Starter Relay!

I am able to get the vehicle to turn over jumping the starter relay. However it turns over forever and never starts. I will check some of the other items you mentioned related to the issue when it turns over. I am thinking it is something more, like a computer problem, ECU or something else. I have already replaced fuses, starter relay and others, I have a 2nd jeep liberty for parts to swap.

I replaced the Ignition switch ( Black part that ignition pin goes into) , and the ignition switch actuator pin dont look broke. I did not replace that yet. i will double check some fuses and check some of the other things you mentiond like ground and wiring.

if you have any other suggestions it would be greatly appreicated. I may need to get a ODB2 reader to look for error codes. Any suggestions is great. I am willing to swap minor parts from my spare liberty. My friend did mention we do hear the fuel pump working. I appreicate everyones help here. I will troubleshoot some more tomorrow

 

[lennyjeep]

Hi, I latched on to this tread because my jeep will not start when I jump the starter relay. It will crank but will not start. I have an intermittent problem. It will work fine for weeks, then it will mess up. After a day or so it will be good for another few weeks. When it acts up there is not even a click. Wait a bit and then there is a click. Wait a bit more then there is a clunk. Wait a bit more and it cranks up fine. This usually takes less than 30 minutes. One time it took a couple of hours. I thought it was a heat issue at first cause it would happen while I was just running around town. But the other day it did it first thing in the morning. The lights are bright when it happens. So I think it has to do with the grounding side of my circuit. I followed someone else on another thread with the same problem. He had his towed 6 times. 3 times to the dealership. They never got any codes or figured it out. After 1200 hundred dollars he traded it in to the dealership.

Wow i hope you find the solution. I also have the similar problem. I will not be able to trade mine to a dealership becauese no one would accept it and it dont run. I did end up getting another vehicle, it is very unfourtinte i cannot get it to run. I dont want to get into major computer issues.

I do have a spare Jeep liberty i can swap parts. like your post, the guy that spend $1200 to only trade it in. I dont want to spend money like that with not guarentee fix.

I am thinking it will end up going to recycling if i cannot repair the issue next summer when the weather is warmer. I use the Jeep liberty to plow my drive way. It is a beast for pushing snow, but not much good if it wont start. Good luck to you and i will post any findings i try of find with my liberty.

 

[john e denson]

my 2005 jeep started messing up more. I replaced the ignition switch and pin even though the pin looked good. It was not original or Dorman. It is running now but I still suspect another issue because it will not start when I jump starter relay. it just turns over.

 

[Billwill]

my 2005 jeep started messing up more. I replaced the ignition switch and pin even though the pin looked good. It was not original or Dorman. It is running now but I still suspect another issue because it will not start when I jump starter relay. it just turns over.

A bit of an old post but just saw this now.

Jumping the Starter Relay will turn over the motor but the SKEES Anti-theft will not let it start if a SKEES problem is present.
On the CRD the ASD relay needs to be energized by the ECM if it is happy with the Chipped key.

Same on the 3.7 Gasser.....the PCM needs to energize the ASD relay but there is some other item the PCM needs to energize to enable SKEES.....not sure what it is and I do not have a 3.7 Gasser to experiment on what that second item is!