is this the starter or solenoid?

[abugarcias]

I let my MJ sit all winter and now it won't start. When I turn the key the engine turns over slowly and I hear a few clicks then nothing. I checked the battery and it is still good, as well as trying to jump start it. It's weird though that the battery gauge on my dash doesn't register anything when they key is in the on position.

 

I'm inclined to think this is the solenoid. I'm going to the junk yard tomorrow and I'll probably just replace both since the starter is really old, if not the original.

 

Could a fuel pump problem cause this? I suspect my fuel pump is going out as well since it hesitated a lot before it died this winter. I don't know if that's related or not.

 

Thanks for the help,

[jimoshel]

I would try cleaning ALL connections first. First the battery, then the solenoid and then the starter.

[mvusse]

Sounds to me like a bad connection or corroded wire between the battery and starter or a bad starter.

 

BTW, the solenoid is mounted on the starter and the two are usually replaced as a unit.

[abugarcias]

In cleaning everything off I noticed that the cable running from the battery to the starter was almost severed in half about 3-4" away from the starter end. I am going to replace that, but still replace the starter and solenoid since they are so old and I don't want to get stranded anywhere. I hope this will fix the problem.