Hello friends,
My jeep(80 CJ-7 W/258 I6) drove me to the store yesterday and would not start when I came out. It started acting funny last week. It acted like the battery was dying. When I tried to start it it would click or not turn over. I put jump cables on it from another car and it didn't help much. Then a few minutes later I tried it one last time w/o cables attached and it turned over and started with no problem.
Currently, I'm getting gage readings when I turn the key back indicating around 14 volts, but when I turn the key forward to start it the volts are low8-9range and I get the familiar clicking or nothing. I've recently put a new started on it and the battery is new. I originally thought that was my problem.
Any advice would be appreciated!
thanks!

Check your battery cable connection at the starter. And the ignition wires also at the starter. They tend to "harden" and may have broken internally.

You might also clean the battery posts and the inside of the cable ends at the battery.

Battery posts & cables were cleaned and checked. Connection to the battery is solid. The pos. cable runs from the battery to the started soleniod to the starter.
Would a bad starter solenoid possible cause these problems?

Yes.

The other things can also and are the cheapest and easiest things to check first.

Sounds like the battery took a crap. Do you have another car you can swap in a different battery and try it?

I'm going out to get a starter soleniod. I'll let you all know how it turns out. Hopefully "CJ" won't have to spend the night at the store again. Thanks for the help.

Make sure all your electrical connections are clean and tight. May be as simple as that.

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Home Handyman Forum I Shade Tree Mechanic Forum

i had that some problem, but with a volkswagen bus. And mine never did start again. turned out my motor seized... while starting. stupid vw's. i still lover though, i hope she didn't hear that.

Good news! "CJ" started and drove home from the store last night. I replaced the starter soleniod and the pos. battery cable.
Thanks to all that helped!