# Jeep Starts on its Own **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [October 11, 2014, 7:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jeep-starts-on-its-own/87606 "2014-10-11T19:33:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2014, 9:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jeep-starts-on-its-own/87606/81 "2014-10-14T09:19:49Z")
From what you state about the problem you have proven that the trouble isn’t due to the electrical system and it is a mechanical problem with the starter. I suggest you check for power on the small ignition wire going to the solenoid when the problem is happening. Make sure voltage isn’t getting to that point when the ignition switch is in the RUN mode and the engine is running. If that is okay then it seems to me that the bendix shaft may be bent slightly and the gear isn’t retracting when it should be. ---
**Author:** ![Yosemite](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/yosemite/32/643_2.png) [@Yosemite](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Yosemite)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2014, 9:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jeep-starts-on-its-own/87606/82 "2014-10-14T09:25:22Z")
It’s making so much noise because it’s in there crooked. This means the teeth on the fly wheel and the starter are not in line. Continuing with it out of alignment can do damage. Unbolt it, remove, re-position, and bolt back up. Sometimes you need to slip it in and then turn or twist it a bit, to get a good alignment. When you try starting it, if it grinds or makes any odd noise STOP and try again. I don’t remember. Is this a new starter. If so call the auto parts and be sure you have the right one. They may have clicked on the wrong engine size. Keep trying you’ll get it. Yosemite ---
**Author:** ![Leprechaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@Leprechaun](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Leprechaun)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2014, 8:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jeep-starts-on-its-own/87606/83 "2014-10-14T20:44:21Z")
@Yosemite‌ new starter. @Cougar‌ @insightful‌ i am going to see if my old starter is still at autozone… I want it back. I’m thinking this evening I’ll run a length of wire from the batt cable and solenoid wire to the starter on the bench. If it works correctly out of the jeep then I know a 100% it’s the starter. Maybe I know that already. ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2014, 8:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jeep-starts-on-its-own/87606/84 "2014-10-14T20:59:01Z")
I hate to abandon you, but honestly, I’ve run out of ideas. Having it towed isn’t the end of the world. I once had my car towed and found out it was because I had kicked a fuse holder with my foot - a $1.00 (at the time) part. Live and learn. Be sure to tell us what the final cure is. ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2014, 11:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jeep-starts-on-its-own/87606/85 "2014-10-14T23:47:56Z")
Here’s a good animation on how your starter works: ---
**Author:** ![Leprechaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@Leprechaun](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Leprechaun)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 10:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jeep-starts-on-its-own/87606/86 "2014-10-15T22:00:46Z")
Took new starter back, bendix was sloppy and floppy. Neutral safety switch is definitely hurting. I started car in neutral this am but halfway to work the starter began screaming. I pulled over, called a mechanic and tow truck and hitched/walked to work. I’ll let yall know what the damage is. ---
**Author:** ![Leprechaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@Leprechaun](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Leprechaun)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 10:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jeep-starts-on-its-own/87606/87 "2014-10-15T22:02:16Z")
Video of new starter. ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 10:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jeep-starts-on-its-own/87606/88 "2014-10-15T22:56:48Z")
Hmm…not good. Thanks for the update. ---
**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 11:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jeep-starts-on-its-own/87606/89 "2014-10-16T11:33:38Z")
I am now confused. Are you saying that you removed the replacement starter with the damaged bendix, installed another new replacement, and the second new one is having trouble also? ---
**Author:** ![Leprechaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@Leprechaun](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Leprechaun)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2014, 11:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jeep-starts-on-its-own/87606/90 "2014-10-17T23:05:00Z")
Well guys somehow I swapped the mounting bolts resulting a $300 cost to me for tow and new starter. Pretty silly, would have sworn they were not interchangeable. I guess I learned a valuable lesson. Thanks for all your help here. I’m embarrassed. I still think my original problem was with the transmission range controller. So I hope to remove that and fix it myself. I will be putting all parts in labeled bags from now on. ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 1:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jeep-starts-on-its-own/87606/91 "2014-10-18T01:53:25Z")
You might have seen this; a good video of your neutral safety switch: ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 2:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jeep-starts-on-its-own/87606/92 "2014-10-18T02:50:24Z")
I’m curious how you switched upper and lower bolts on the first installation yet in the times you have repeatedly removed and reinstalled the starter to solve this problem the bolts were never “accidentally” switched back to their correct position. But congratuations. You’re a winner today. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jeep-starts-on-its-own/87606.md?page=4)