Wiring help needed for starter please 1986 LJ70 2l-t - edited

[richmason]

Dear mudders,

I am gutted but I'm about to give up on making it to the ONSC event at Uwharrie this weekend. I can't get the starter to work reliably. I've been fighting this for more than a decade. I replaced the starter this week and I believe that I replaced the relay not too long ago as it looks new. I replaced the big grounds from the battery and added a big ground for the starter to the external lug. I replaced the big wire from the battery. I still get random single click but no start. Battery is at 13 volts. I found a video on Youtube showing how to bypass the starter relay and some of the wiring. I performed the test he recommended first and found 12.2 volts at the disconnect on the starter wire, which should be more than enough. I now suspect that my issue is the other side of the disconnect that is attached to the starter. I'm going to run a new wire back to the starter relay and see how that does.

 

[Dprio34]

@richmason , I would start at the melted wire. I'm not at my house right now, so don't have access to the diagrams. Check Fusible Link as well.

Not ideal, but as a "quick fix" try the screwdriver trick on the starter terminals or roll it down hill and pop the clutch while in gear. I've never done it on my 2LT, but I'm pretty sure it will work if you can't sort the problem with the wiring.

 

[richmason]

Thanks Dprio. If you have diagrams you can share I would be grateful. I did some more testing and edited the thread a bit. Popping the clutch and such works fine and I've been to the off-roading school at Uwharrie and practiced all of that stuff. I'm just concerned that I will end up blocking the trail and causing a nuisance. If there is enough angst at me, I'm sure I'll be able to get volunteers to push me off into a ditch . I'm going to do some rewiring and take a chance with it.

 

[Dprio34]

i get home next week. i will PM you or post what i have.

 

[TreadingLight]

I'd order two fusible links. Install one and keep the other in the glovebox. You could also carry a bump starter switch to get you moving till you figure out the issue.