Weird Cherokee starter problem. Help!

[JamesTheScot]

1994 Cherokee Country, auto trans, 2WD, 6 cylinder.

Starting has been sporadic this week. When it starts, it starts. When it won't, the starter doesn't crank at all. Maybe a click, but it's hard to tell from the cab.

I've had the battery and starter tested at automotive part stores, both tested OK. I've cleaned the battery terminals, replaced the cable clamps and generally cleaned any corrosion.

Since it first failed to start about a week ago, it has started twice normally, once with a jump (after the first non-start) and twice by touching a scredriver to the side of the solenoid.

Since then, it hasn't started for three days.

Starter relay seems an odd candidate since it has started 5 times since the first failure. I assume this relay works like a fuse where it's an all or nothing proposition.

NSS seems an odd candidate since it jumped once and twice started with a tool to the starter housing. That would be some coincidence.

Alternator seems like an odd candidate since it runs perfect (for a 15 year old Jeep) once it's started.

Any ideas?

[54cj3b]

sounds like a loose wire somewhere

[SteelHeadz]

Welcome to Jeepz. Sounds like an intermittent bad connection somewhere in the starting system. I would check the ground's particularly the one going to the engine block.

[superspud87]

i had this problem before and it used to happen frequently. i would have to turn the key on and go underneath the rig and tap the bindex loose and than crosswire the connections with a screwdriver. this was sporadic for me as well and after he 1st week of doing this i never had i problem with it again. the bindex finally got loose

[MudderChuck]

Most times that has happened to me it was usually something to do with the brushes in the starter. The brushes wear down and the springs don't push as hard as they used to. A quick test is to hit the side of the starter with a hammer, using moderate force (too hard and you may damage something), this often seats the brushes and will get you another start or few.
Sometimes when the oil filter is leaking it drips on the starter. Don't know exactly how, but oil seems to eventually find it's way onto the brushes, causing the same thing (iffy contact at the brushes).
GoJeep has a good writeup on starter service, mud, dirt, whatever can also find it's way onto the brushes and cause the same thing.
I've had other things cause starter problems, but three times out of four, it's something in the brushes or excessive brush wear and tear.
I replaced the brushes on a junk yard starter, five bucks for the starter and about the same for the brushes. I keep it on the shelf. If you do much mudding, it's alot easier to swap the starter out than try to clean it in the mud. I also rerouted the cables some, to give me a little extra wire, so I have room to drop the starter before removing the solenoid conections (makes it a lot easier).