Q: Jeep tries to start, but doesn't.

asked by on January 11, 2016

My jeep won't start. It tries to, but it won't turn over all the way.

Starter Replacement $169.22 - $1153.49 Get a Quote

This sounds to me like the starter is cranking over very slowly. This can be due to the starter motor being weak and in need of replacement or the battery being weak and in need of a charge or replacement. I would start with having the battery charged up fully and trying to start the vehicle then. If the vehicle starts fine, you may have something draining your battery when the engine is off. If the symptoms are the same which they likely will be, have the starter checked by a professional from YourMechanic. If the starter is faulty have it replaced. A new starter motor should have enough integrity to start your vehicle.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Spark plugs not working and the car won't start.
The ignition system of a vehicle is divided into two circuits: the primary and secondary. The primary circuit is low voltage and includes the battery, ignition switch, primary windings of the ignition coil and a triggering mechanism. On your vehicle,...
Head gasket leak
Hello. Leaks, especially from the head gasket, are problematic because they can lead to overheating and engine damage. This is something that you will want to take care of sooner or later. I would recommend having a technician locate the...
Getting codes P0161 and P0325
Hello. Both codes indicate a circuit failure, and I suspect that the connectors were not properly reconnected after changing the valve cover gasket. These codes are not likely actual part failures. It is a very tight squeeze to get in...
Tachometer is not moving at all
Hello. If the fuse is okay, then the next thing I would look at the wiring. Most tachometers (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/3-essential-things-to-know-about-your-car-s-tachometer) get their signal from the crank sensor or ignition module and will malfunction if there is an issue with the signal....
I found a small puddle of coolant underneath my car. Today I opened the hood, and I see a puddle of coolant.
Hello, thanks for writing in. If you are finding puddles of coolant underneath your vehicle then there is likely a coolant leak somewhere on the engine. A few places that leaks can occur (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-find-the-source-of-an-oil-leak-by-ed-ruelas) at are at the hoses, the...
Oil pressure light and grinding noise on startup
Hi there. Assuming, the engine is not turning over. The grinding noise you hear may be the starter drive gear failing (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/starter-replacement). The oil light (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/is-it-safe-to-drive-with-the-oil-light-on) popped up on the dash with the engine not running would be considered normal....
There's no milky residue on my oil cap or my dipstick but there's oil in my radiator I know I have a bad spark plug wire.
Hi there. A bad spark plug wire would not allow engine oil into the cooling system. The possibility of a bad head gasket, could allow engine oil into the cooling system. Assuming the engine has not been overheated, electrolysis could...
My dash lights, radio, and gauge cluster on my 2007 Nissan 350z are not coming on when the car is started or in accessory mode.
I see no reports of the issue (in the NHTSA database, for instance) you are describing and so there are no obvious clues. You are lucky, though, that the issue is not now intermittent because all that you need do...
car shakes when idle and accelerating
It is very possible that you have a valve cover gasket or spark plug tube seal leak on your vehicle. These type of leaks will allow oil to leak onto the spark plugs causing misfires. When the engine misfires due...

Related articles

Are There Different Kinds of Spark Plugs?
Your Your engine needs at least one spark plug per cylinder to ignite the fuel and air mixture and make the engine run. But not all spark plugs are the same. There are several different types on the market, and...
Is a Keyless Push-Button Ignition More Reliable?
Vehicle Vehicle starting systems have evolved significantly since their inception. When automobiles were initially introduced, you had to manually crank the engine over with a handle on the front of your engine compartment. The next phase involved a lock and...
How Long Does an Ignition Lock Assembly Last?
In In order for a car to start properly, it will need to have a functional ignition lock assembly. This assembly is where your car key will go in and helps to turn on the interior lights, as well as...