Car won’t start, replaced battery, starter, alternator and battery terminals

I’m having trouble starting my car. Every 5-10 times I turn on the car it won’t start. It has never happened on the first try of the day. It will usually start 30min to 1.5 hrs later. I used to try to turn it on multiple times until it started not sure if turning the key or time was what helped the car to start. But it finally refused to start while I was already home so I left the car and came back 2 hrs later and the car started, so I’m thinking it’s time that helps. I replaced the alternator, battery and battery terminals. None of this fixed the problem. I then replaced the alternator and for about two months my car worked fine. But it’s having problems again.

 

Welcome to jeeps.net! I know you stated the starter was replaced but part of your story leads me to suspect the starter until proven otherwise. Hot starter not starting except when cooled down then eventually not starting. Some shops can check out starter/relay or whether it needs unusual voltage to crank. Some rebuilt starters can be crappy rebuilds. Post some pics of the jeep.

 

What is the year and model of your malfunctioning car?
Do you have a check engine light that stays on when you are driving?

I assume it is the 2000 GC laredo. I like Aggrex's idea about the starter.

 

Welcome to the forum @Jechf87.
Awesome advice given. Hope you find your cure. Good luck. Hope you post your find and or results so we may be able to help others.

 

It certainly sounds like something is getting hot and resistance will increase with increased temperature. Too much resistance, not enough voltage = no start. Now whether that point of failure is in the starter itself or in one of the wires going to the starter is hard to say.
It would require that you take a multimeter and test the wires while the failure is happening and you would need someone to assist you.

Test the leads on the starter itself, is it getting 12 volts?
If not I would suspect that the battery cables are corroded inside.
Corrosion causes resistance, heat from running the engine increases the resistance that much more.
If you are getting 12 volts to the starter I would test the leads to the solenoid while someone turns the key.
If you aren't getting 12 volts here the issue is further "up stream".

 

I was thinking bad battery cables also, but the fact that it starts cold made me think otherwise, but I could be wrong.

 

How’s your JEEP doing?

 

Hi I took the car for a diagnosis, the mechanic said that the starter and cables were ok. He said that the problem could be with the key. The key has a chip for starting the vehicle, and he said that either the key of the computer on the car were malfunctioning. He noticed that when the “no key” light on the dashboard turns on when the key is turned (I posited a photo). The mechanic said that he had never seen that on a Jeep. I saw that the lights turn on when I turn the key but all the lights turn on and turn off within seconds. Does the “no key” light turn on with your jeeps?

 

It is normal for the cluster to illuminate completely when the key is turned to run and then turn off a few moments later.
I don't have a Jeep with a chipped key so hopefully one of the guys here that does can confirm that the particular light comes on, though I imagine that it does.

 

I have chipped ignition also in my 2014 Sport 2 dr.. Bought a local hardware store key as spare. It started right up but then died again due to the key was not chipped. Then I went to car lock company and paid lots of $$$ for my chipped key. They actually called the dealer to program the thing to match my "Codes" . It worked and the engines stays on. I'm not sure this helps you Jechf87. Good luck on yours, my gut tells me the key might be related to your situation though.

 

In have heard of this happening and being an issue starting and the vehicle staying started. Although not with a Jeep. Chipped keys are a frickin pain in the ass to copy. And if they are not programmed correctly or have an issue. Your shit is dead. Hope this is your issue dude @Jechf87 . Much cheaper than other case scenarios. Keep us posted dude. Hope fix is cheap.

 

Yep. I bought my 2009 used and it came with only 1 key. I bought a generic chipped key ($25) because a shop said they could program it, to but appearantly in 2009 the key has to be programmed in the ignition and nobody in my area could do it. I ended up having to go to the dealership to by their key because they wouldn't use my generic ($125.00) and then I had to have them program it ($125). So ($275) later I have 2 keys.

 

id sell the car...