2008 Jeep liberty starter problem

[leolike212]

I have had to replace three New starters and see and smell smoke coming from that area. Have checked all relays and fuses. All good . Starting to check wires next. Any help would be appreciated. One more question could engine be locked. It did overheat due to broken radiator prior to this problem. Thanks

 

[KJowner]

Take the plugs out then pop the starter out and bar the engine over on the ring gear or try a socket on the crank to turn it. See if any water comes out of the plug holes.

 

[leolike212]

What would that prove. Blown head or gasket? Did oil change no coolant water in with oil. I forgot to mention. That the starter is extremely hot to the touch. Could it be a ground issue?

 

[DadOSix]

I have had to replace three New starters and see and smell smoke coming from that area. Have checked all relays and fuses. All good . Starting to check wires next. Any help would be appreciated. One more question could engine be locked. It did overheat due to broken radiator prior to this problem. Thanks

So- a lot more detail would help:
1 - please describe why the starter needs replaced to begin with.
2 - why have you replaced the starter 3 x ?
3 - what are you seeing / hearing / experiencing when trying to start the jeep?


Give us the whole story and maybe it will lead to a fix. At this point, it COULD be ANYTHING because we have nothing to go on. It is hard to do a decent diagnosis without some detail. @KJowner may be following the right track in wondering if the engine even can be turned by hand.

 

[leolike212]

So- a lot more detail would help:
1 - please describe why the starter needs replaced to begin with.
2 - why have you replaced the starter 3 x ?
3 - what are you seeing / hearing / experiencing when trying to start the jeep?


Give us the whole story and maybe it will lead to a fix. At this point, it COULD be ANYTHING because we have nothing to go on. It is hard to do a decent diagnosis without some detail. @KJowner may be following the right track in wondering if the engine even can be turned by hand.

The original problem was it overheated. Found the top part that attaches to house broke off. After that replaced hoses, radiator and thermostat. When to start it and it did once then just clicking. Took starter to test bad. Replaced starter click and smoke in that general area. Tested starter bad also when it was still on car felt it and was extremely hot. Git new starter sane problem click Burt smell. Have done voltage drop test as well as checking the fuses and relay. All good . Also checked for error codes and there. Are none. My next step was to turn the engine by hand. Also a note that oil was changed and there was no water or antifreeze. Thanks for any help. My mind is that the starters are not able to turn and are burning out

 

[DadOSix]

The original problem was it overheated. Found the top part that attaches to house broke off. After that replaced hoses, radiator and thermostat. When to start it and it did once then just clicking. Took starter to test bad. Replaced starter click and smoke in that general area. Tested starter bad also when it was still on car felt it and was extremely hot. Git new starter sane problem click Burt smell. Have done voltage drop test as well as checking the fuses and relay. All good . Also checked for error codes and there. Are none. My next step was to turn the engine by hand. Also a note that oil was changed and there was no water or antifreeze. Thanks for any help. My mind is that the starters are not able to turn and are burning out

So - Let's focus on turning the engine by hand. How did that go?

Easy to turn, hard to turn? Easy then hard, etc?

It could be conceivable that several starters are not good right out of the box, especially given the quality of remanufactured parts these days.

Next new starter - before you install it - Have them bench test in the store - or do it yourself - by putting it on a stable surface, and using a set of jumper cables, put the negative to the frame of the starter and 'touch' the stud with the red. There is a lot of torque there, so expect the starter to try and dance away from you.

If it tests good, and your engine turns freely, we need to look at some other items.