I replaced the starter in my 1994 jeep wrangler. I turn the key, hear one click, and nothing happens. The lights, brake lights, and head lights work. What else could it be? Could it have something to do with the spark plugs and distributor?

Chad, February 2008

John,
Thanks for your assistance. I put another starter on, tried a different battery and it still does the same thing. I turn the key, hear one click, and nothing. I checked the oil. The engine has oil. This is beyond my limited experience.

Chad, February 2008

Check that your engine is free - its best to use a spanner to turn the crankshaft pulley nut. Seizures are very uncommon, but possible! If engine is free to turn, then your starter simply cannot do its job because 1) The battery hasn't got a full charge 2) The starter motor is duff 3) the heavy wire connection to the starter from the battery is slack or dirty 4) The black wire from the battery to the bodywork is the same 5) The engine will have an 'earth strap' somewhere that connects the engine metal to the bodywork that may be again, loose, dirty or missing. You need to check all of these things before the fault will be revealed. A motor factor will be happy to test your old battery for performance too - and even happier to sell you a new one if necessary!

John, February 2008

Also, you said "with a fully charged battery." Does that mean that the battery might just be weak?

Chad

Chad, February 2008

I bought the starter brand new. Could the engine be locked?

Chad, February 2008

The click that you can hear is the starter solenoid engaging. With a fully charged battery, the engine should start turning over, so check that. Make sure you have replaced all of the cables tightly as loose ones give the same symptoms as a flat battery - also check the earth leads. No connection with the plugs or distributor so forget that. Are you certain that the starter replacement was a good one?

John, February 2008