Full Size Jeep Network

Put in new engine. Same old starter and flexplate were fine so I reused them.
It starts after a bad grind. Drove it to a shop to fix that cause I got a little steamed.
They are lost in this and I kinda am too hence why I took it to them.

Any experience with this on 4.0/aw4?

Battery is good torque converter is seated dealer crank position sensor grounds were cleaned. Could it still be an alignment issue?

Same year engine?

All 91+ 4.0 starters are cross compatible. The only differences being the leads that connect them. Later years had a different connection. I am not sure if the renix ones are also cross compatible.

Few things to check, make sure the bushing in the end of the starter is still there. They can fall out and let the pinion move around.

Was the flexplate put on backwards by chance? It can be bolted on backwards, and the ring gear is offset from center. If you pull the starter, you can see what its orientation is. The ring should be offset to the engine, not away from it.

Got the Jeep back from the shop they rigged up some madness, The 2-3 mm inspection plate that spaces/sandwiches the bell housing and engine was trimmed at the mounting bolts of the starter.. it works with no grinding so it’s up and working. my son has his Jeep back and we will continue to break it in.

If you ever get a chance to pull the starter, check the orientation of the flex plate. That mid plate should not need to be trimmed.

But glad its at least working.