Something weird going on

[HowardT64]

Went out to turn the Jeep over, turned the ignition...nothing. But get this if I press the door light plunger, it makes my alarm sound a tiny bit. Now I thought it might be the alarm so I disconnected it. Still would not start. I checked wires and such, did not see any wires exposed. Got back in and it turned over!!
Something is making me think there's a short somewhere. It is not the alarm. Could it be the plunger for the door light on the drivers side causing it? It would be easy to get to....remove the nut and gently pull the plunger out.

Very puzzling...any ideas would be welcome.

[Stuka]

You have a bad ground most likely. The door plunger works by grounding out.

Check the chassis ground and the battery ground.

[bigun]

It's Aliens!!!! RUN FOR YOUR LIFE BEFORE THEY COLLECT YOU!

[fulsizjeep]

If you don't have a good grounds, the aliens will definitely be looking for you:

• Battery ground to fender well.
  Battery ground to engine.
  Engine ground to frame at a motor mount.

[Tatsadasayago]

I learned early on that when automotive electrical begins acting strangely, 9 times out of 10 it's due to a bad ground...

You know, like engaging the left turn signal and the horn sounds or open the door and a headlamp goes out.

[HowardT64]

You have a bad ground most likely. The door plunger works by grounding out.

Check the chassis ground and the battery ground.

Refresh my memory...where is the chassis ground?

[Stuka]

Engine block to frame, passenger side.

[HowardT64]

Engine block to frame, passenger side.

Okay Thanks very Much!!

[HowardT64]

Okay!! Found out the cause. The fellow at Autozone was kind enough to crawl under and check the starter, which turned out to be fine. However he found a wire going from the block to the frame. He said it was badly corroded. He wiggled it and said try to turn it over. Presto it fired right up. Now I know whats causing it. Just have to figure out how to get it fixed. Back is still healing and I have no business crawling under my Jeep.

At least I know now whats wrong with it

TY for the advice!!!

[HowardT64]

Well here is a funny update. The wire the guy at auto-zone spoke of was actually the negative cable coming from the battery and it was fine. I asked the downstairs neighbor if he could help me check the cable underneath (thats how I found out the neg cable was fine). Here is the funny part, my neighbor who is a "mechanic" looked right at the "POS" cable where it connects to the battery and says " thats not the issue, I have seen them work in worse shape."
I thought well crap. He moved the neg cable to the top where I could get to it easier in the future. The Jeep started fine. I managed to get to the dollar store and it quit again. SO...I opened up the hood and started looking around. I brushed up against the positive terminal and recoiled...it was HOT!! I wiggled the cable and sure enough, the alarm kicked back on and the Jeep started right up.

I got home and let her cool down. I removed the terminal attachment and trimmed the wires back for a clean contact. Hooked it all back up and guess what, she fires up real well now and with some conviction too

So, im back up and running, next project, replace the power steering pump

Thanks for the help Guys

Jeeps Rule!!!

[Stuka]

Glad you got it fixed

[HowardT64]

Glad you got it fixed

Yes thanks!! I fixed a couple of exposed wires too yesterday. Thought I could remove the canister on that side, but seems the engine didn't like it. Would be nice to just get rid of it since the emissions stuff is all unhooked and missing anyway. Anyhow, she is running fine and doing well

[Stuka]

Glad you got it fixed

Yes thanks!! I fixed a couple of exposed wires too yesterday. Thought I could remove the canister on that side, but seems the engine didn't like it. Would be nice to just get rid of it since the emissions stuff is all unhooked and missing anyway. Anyhow, she is running fine and doing well

The charcoal canister has a vacuum line going to it. You would need to trace that line back and cap it.

[HowardT64]

So if I cap all the lines, I would be fine?

[Stuka]

So if I cap all the lines, I would be fine?

Yes if you want to remove it. But, the charcoal canister does not hurt performance at all. It basically allows fuel vapor from the carb to go back to the fuel tank. Personally I would leave it unless you just really want it gone.

[HowardT64]

So if I cap all the lines, I would be fine?

Yes if you want to remove it. But, the charcoal canister does not hurt performance at all. It basically allows fuel vapor from the carb to go back to the fuel tank. Personally I would leave it unless you just really want it gone.

Ill give it further thought Thanks for the input