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Hello, I will get right to it. I have a 2008 Jeep wrangler 3.8L. The starter just clicks when you turn the key. I replaced the starter in haste without much diagnosis due to the situation at the time. No I am trying to figure this thing out. It will start if you drop it in neutral, that would point to a possible neutral safety switch issue. Got on shopkey and this Jeep doesn't really have one, it's internal to the transmission, but it's still kinda there. Just not a tradition NSS. Then upon further examination it still won't start sometimes in neutral, just clicks. It is very random. Temperature doesn't really seem to be a factor as it will do it cold or hot engine. It never labors at all to start, battery in good condition. Jeep either clicks or starts, that's it. I haven't done any voltage measurements yet, that's should've been my first step I know. And that's what I'm going to do next, I'm just in the middle of building a house and all my tools are hour and a half away. I just think it's very weird it will start just fine, then the next will be a click. I appreciate any help on the matter.
Is it definitely the starter that is clicking, and not the relay?
A couple things that come to mind for a starter that starts to work but won't turn the engine are weak battery, poor connection at the battery or starter terminals, or a poor block ground.
Trace your battery cables, make sure the connections are clean, tight, and not full of corrosion.
You could verify this by running a set of jumper
Cables from the battery to the start when it wont start, but i feel pretty confident cleaning/repairing your battery cables and connections will take care of it
Definitely the starter clicking. Doesn't try to turn over at all just a dead click from the solenoid. I will clean all the connections and check back thank you guys for your comments.
You should probably do a voltage drop test from the positive battery post to the post where the battery cable attaches to the starter, from battery positive post to the S wire post on the starter and from the negative battery post to the case of the starter.
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