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Question

What is causing this?

Sep 28, 2014 9:41AM PDT

I have a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It is a 4.0 L Straight 6 Engine with 4x4.

I have multiple issues with it.

1. When I try to start it it won't start, I have to turn the key over for seriously 10-15 minutes and then it will start. (I have checked the starter and that is good, I have replaced the starter relay, I have swapped out the ignition feed fuse, I have also swapped out the entire ignition.

2. When it is in two wheel I hear a grinding and it acts like it automatically locked in 4x4 and not engaging the 2 wheel.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
tranny problems
Sep 28, 2014 10:02AM PDT

If you have a problem with the tranny, then you may also have killed the neutral switch mounted on the tranny which allows the starter to run and keeps it from running when it's not in Park or Neutral. If you find the wire that goes to that and ground it out, maybe it will crank. But realize it's dangerous because you might crank while in gear. This is related to automatics.

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starter
Sep 28, 2014 3:41PM PDT

It was the starter. I don't know why it tested good when I took it in but I just bought a new starter and fixed that issue but I still have the issue with my 4 wheel and 2 wheel. When I have the jeep in 2 wheel the front drive line tries to engage like it's trying to engage the 4 wheel.

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armature
Sep 29, 2014 4:02AM PDT

Either the brushes get worn or it stops on a dead spot on the armature. If you take one apart you can see where the brushes rub and the larger end where the field coils in the housing and the alternating direct current plate are on the armature. Sometimes just one spot where the brushes run will be burnt and if it stops there, only hope and a 2x4 smacking it will get it off sometimes so it will be on good spot and start. I had an old 77 dodge PU I kept a 2x4 for that purpose at one time. Another trick is if the bendix kicks it back against the flywheel is rock the vehicle and with the starter gear engaged to the flywheel it might move it enough to suddenly start cranking. That latter works best on a manual tranny.