CJ7 starting problem. Electrical it would seem.

[PhattyX]

After replacing my header gaskets, my CJ7 has decided that it doesn't want to start on it's own anymore. Now, I'm not sure what the two have to do with each other, but this is what I've got so far.

The on position gives power to everything (radio, guages, etc.).
If you jumper the starter selonoid manually, it starts and runs fine.
Replaced the ignition switch. Still nothing.

I've got constant power on the red wire to the ignition switch in the harness. When I push the ignition switch, I get power to two other red wires w/ stripes, nothing to light blue wire. Two books are telling me light blue goes from the switch to the selonoid, but neither shows a ground wire.

Should the blue wire be sending ground to the selonoid to complete it's circuit to start? I quit before thinking that maybe ground comes from mounting the switch, does it? Any suggestions whatsoever? At this point, I'm going to carry around a manual switch and duck under the hood each time to start it.

Thanks as always,

-X

 

[jay79cj7]

Light blue should send 12v to the solenoid terminal to activate it. The solenoid is grounded through the body. Try jumping 12v straight to that terminal and see if it turns over.

 

[pdparker]

There should be a starter relay that closes when you turn the key and the gauges come alive. When you turn the key to the starter position, the closed relay allows voltage to be delivered along the blue wire to close another set of points in the solenoid. This connects the hot side (12V from battery) of the relay (12V from battery) to the starter side of the solenoid. Check the voltage of the blue wire with the key in the starter position. There should be voltage present. If not there may be a fusable link in the wire that has opened. If there is voltage there, then replace the solenoid. Hope this helps. I am not too familiar with the layout of the CJ electrical system, but the premise is the same.

 

[PhattyX]

Light blue should send 12v to the solenoid terminal to activate it.

So, I'm right in thinking that light blue should be hot when the ignition switch is depressed.

there may be a fusable link in the wire that has opened

Which wire would have the fusable link? I'm getting power up to the switch, but not out of it (light blue). It wouldn't matter if there was a fusable link between the switch and the solenoid, I should still get 12V on the light blue at the ignition switch, right? Just wanted to verify that.

Thanks guys!

-X

 

[jay79cj7]

Yep, 12v at the solenoid on the light blue wire when the key is in the start position.