Could it be this?

http://www.xkjeeps.com/tsb/tsb_xk_0806005.pdf

 

If you ever hear a clicking noise that usually means the battery is dead. Not that there is a problem with the starter.

 

There could be a bad battery connection at the starter. check to see it isn't gunked up.

 

Thanks for the link to the TSB... gonna check that out. It is NOT the battery. It's fully charged. Also, I pulled the terminals and did the terminal post clean job where you polish til the post is nice and shiney and then I cleaned the inside of the connectors. Horn, Lights, A/c blowers all work and turn signals don't even slow down with brakes on and horn blasting, so I'm fairly convinced I've got plenty of juice going to the system. Now here's the kicker... I haven't been able to recreate the situation.

I'm leaning towards faulty starter, only because I did get it to crank by flicking the ignition switch on and off quickly, and the snapping of the starter relay may have been enough to cause the armature to wiggle just enough to kick in, but I sure don't like this answer.

The TSB doesn't describe the problem in enough detail for my liking. I wish it described the condition more than "Engine won't crank" I cannot tell where the starter is even located. Maybe I was hearing a relay inside the Module they talk about in the service bulletin.

I'll keep the forum posted as to what I find.

KKKKFL

 

My 06 needed a new starter and battery at 20K acted the same as yours, clicking and would not start. No warning on mine.

 

dang, mine just started doing this.... left it off for 15 minutes, came back outside to drive somewhere and it wouldn't start. Just a loud clicking noise indicating the battery was dead... jumped it and had it restarted soon enough, but the fact that the battery lost enough amperage within 15 minutes to not start it really freaks me out... time for a new battery? 46k miles, 2006

 

Broke Starter

I shoulda known this was coming. Did it again over the labor day weekend. Lots of folks told me to crawl underneath and bang starter with a hammer. This is not going to work on an 06 Commander. Might work on newer models.

Long story short, had to have it towed to a dealer luckily enough only 8 miles from the hotel at Va Beach where we were staying. They got to it on Tuesday, and sure enough said it was the starter. Then came the B.S. from the Service mgr. He told me I could have crawled under and hit the starter to get home. There's no way... I knew he was full of "you-know-what" when he told me that dirt and mud could splash up on the armature and cause it to stick.

Does anyone know what has to be done to actually "See" the starter? I'm guessing the bottom skid plate needs to be removed, but have no ideal just how complex this is.

Good news is that the starter replacement only cost 360 bucks installed, tax and labor included.

KKKKFL

 

i just had the same thing happen to my commander today. went golfing, returned to my vehicle, and CLICK..... nothing!! i attempted to jump start the vehicle, repeatedly click the ignition key, and everything else i could think of. i started to dig into it with what tools i had readily available, and could not get it started. the battery is GOOD. i took the skid plate down (i think it was (4) 13mm bolts) to access the starter. the starter is located on the lower drivers side of the engine. there is a heat shield mounted around the starter wiring connections. in an attempt to get home i tried to bang on the starter and that did not work. i ended up getting it flatbedded to a remote location where i can work on it some more. i'm not for sure on this cuz i have only worked on it for a little while, but it looks like the front drive shaft and/or the exhaust has to be unbolted and dropped down from the engine to get access to the starter for replacement/diagnosis. anyone have the procedure for this to save me some time investigating? i will keep everone posted when i get it fixed. FYI.... i have a 2006 with the 4.7L V-8

 

Twice bit!

My '06, 5.7L did the single click with no crank thing at 38,000 miles. It left us stranded in a parking lot. We had it towed to a dealership and they replaced the starter. Then, 17 months later it happened again (57,000 mi).

The bad thing is, I assumed it was the battery this time because of two things:
1. It was -2 F.
2. It started after I left the charger on it for a couple of hours.

I tried to find a battery at a couple of local stores and neither had a replacement listed in their book. I went to the dealership and paid $163 for a battery. Installed it and still just a single click. Darn. Once again, the flat bed came and hauled it to the dealership for a starter change.

I am seriously questioning the reliability of this vehicle now.

 

The reason people told you go hit the starter with a hammer is because it is pretty common for the started solenoid to stick and cause the problems you described. The solenoid piggybacks the starter motor itself, so you if you tap it sharply with a hammer, it can free up a stuck solenoid. That said, it will work just as well on a Commander as it does on any other vehicle, unless they removed the solenoid from the starter motor. I haven't worked on one, so I don't know for sure, but I'd bet it's the same design they've been using forever...

So I don't think your dealership was being dishonest when they said you could have gotten it started by hitting the starter. 99% of the time it's not the starter motor itself that fails, it's the solenoid that's sticking. Unfortunately, since both the starter and starter solenoid are together as one unit, you have to replace the entire starter to fix the problem.

 

Both times that this has happened to me, there was a single click when I turned the key over. I assume that click to be the starter solenoid. Standing outside the vehicle, it sounds like the click comes from the starter location. I think something sticks internally in the starter, and the solenoid works fine.

 

Right, but the solenoid is what is supposed to move the bendix drive to engage the flywheel to start the engine. When I say the solenoid is sticking, I'm talking about the whole unit. You can hear a click and sometimes nothing will happen. That's why some people will tap the starter with a hammer to get it to work.

 

The solenoid is used to control a high usage circuit, (high amperage draw) with a low current circuit. The solenoid usually has two large cables that conduct the electricity to a heavy load such as a starter motor. The low current circuit energizes the coil which acts like an electromagnet and pulls the plunger which completes the high draw circuit and powers the starter. This is why we used to be able to bypass the solenoid with a large screwdriver shorting the two large terminals to start the motor with a failed solenoid. If we did not have solenoids we would have to have much heavier wiring and heavy duty switches. Some vehicles, (I belive Fords) have a completely separate solenoid that is not mounted on the starter and starters can be retrofitted with external solenoids. This modification used to be somewhat common on Chevrolet and GM hot rods

 

I agree these sound like simple starter problems .. $360 including labour is a good deal for a starter ... I've paid $500 for starters for a 4 cylinder, parts only.

Remember guys MILAGE has very little to do with starter life ...it's how many times you use it to start the car that counts.

Here's a trick .. first time a starter or altenator goes (non-warentee) BUY a brand NEW one ... then take the used one and get it rebuilt .. they are cheap to rebuilt at any auto electric place and it can be very handy to have a spare.

 

I haven't had the clicking problem as you all have described, but I have had the starter stay engaged in the cranking process for a min. of 6-12 seconds at a time during a couple of startups...this has happened to me twice in the last couple of weeks once with the remote start, and another when turning the key to start...:icon_confused:

 

Just replaced my starter. My '06 with 59k wouldn't start last month in a mall parking lot. No warning. It wasn't the battery, as I tried to jump start it..luckily I lived close by. Left the car overnight, and it started up with some jiggling of the ignition switch the next morning. Car was fine for another month, then died again. Brought my jeep to our fleet mechanic, pulled the starter and battery. Starter was shot and the battery was low. The cell wasn't dead, but the amps were low. New starter $160 just for the part for an OEM. My fleet mechanic put the battery in at cost, (saw the invoice from the supplier and knew what they cost b4 I brought it in)so I know the battery was low.

 

Just to put this one to bed. It was not the solenoid... its is poor parts... a burnt winding was the cause. They (Jeep) used a motor designed for smaller engines. This caused a winding to fry. OK so that said, the replacement wasn't that bad, but just think what could have been. On an outback excursion, you cannot start your TRAIL RATED vehicle... Yes I'm annoyed at Jeep, and today I am furious... around 6 months ago, the bearing in the front dif needed to be replaced... The dealer did his best and got Jeep to kinda pony up some of the cost... Now here it is January tooth, and I'm back because now the bearing in the rear Dif crapped out... 80K but this is driveline stuff why are they stiffing me for 1200 bucks? This is the first and LAST American vehicle I own at this rate. Government bail out? I bet you can guess what my feelings are.

KKKKFL

 

06 jeep commander starting promblem

my 06 jeep coommander limited will not start some times. not all the time but just every once a while. it just clicks will not turn over and start. will someone please help

 

my 06 jeep coommander limited will not start some times. not all the time but just every once a while. it just clicks will not turn over and start. will someone please help

Moved your question into this thread, give it a read and I think you will find your answer.

 

If you have two sets of keys, does the problem occur with both sets? If not, then maybe the key is defective. Had a friend that had the same problem with a GM rental; battery, lights, radio all worked, tried a battery jumper - it just wouldn't start. The driver with the replacement car told us about the problem.
If not the keys, then it needs to go to a mechanic, could be many things.

 

Could be the spark plugs ....are you over 35k ...had that problem with my magnum changed the plugs and everything was good 2 go

 

Well it is back. Stopped for lunch and when I return to the XK it would not start.05 4.7 with 60K. I am on my second starter and second battery. Tried to jump it just clicked, call AAA tlod them to send a roll back, they sent their service guy. Tested the battery, it tested good he tried to locate the starter and could not. Ask me to turn the key to see if he could hear where the starter was and it started. This is the 4th time I have had this problem. Dealer who has always worked on it was closed, so I am taking it to a new dealer next week to see if they can find anything, at least this service guy suspects something other than the starter. More to come. Count so far 2 starters 1 battery 1 skim module and 2 keys I have a little over $1K into it and still have a problem. Did I say first starter and battery were replaced under warranty.

 

Well it is back. Stopped for lunch and when I return to the XK it would not start.05 4.7 with 60K. I am on my second starter and second battery. Tried to jump it just clicked, call AAA tlod them to send a roll back, they sent their service guy. Tested the battery, it tested good he tried to locate the starter and could not. Ask me to turn the key to see if he could hear where the starter was and it started. This is the 4th time I have had this problem. Dealer who has always worked on it was closed, so I am taking it to a new dealer next week to see if they can find anything, at least this service guy suspects something other than the starter. More to come. Count so far 2 starters 1 battery 1 skim module and 2 keys I have a little over $1K into it and still have a problem. Did I say first starter and battery were replaced under warranty.

Sorry your having so much trouble. I feel your pain.

 

I got up on Sunday morning to go to Sedona and my XK would not start, I had the dreaded clicking from the starter and the transmission was stuck in park. I rocked the XK enough to get it into neutral and jumped the battery.

This worked but I am keeping my eyes on it, batteries only last two years in AZ due to the extreme heat so I am hoping that is all I have to be concerned with.

 

49er,
If you can jump start it there is a good chance that it was just the battery, I actually thought that might have been my problem today snice my battery was changed out in Mar 07 and we seem to have that 2 yr problem in FL also. But on all four occassions, AAA has verified the battery as good.

 

OK ... just my opinion ... but based on experience with many vehicles over the years.

I had this happen twice on my Commander ... instead of freaking out and buying a bunch of parts the first time I tried the key 27 times and it started ... the second time it started on the 5th try.

I have seen this on a few vehicles over the years we used to call it a "flat spot" on the starter commutator ... if the starter happens to stop exactly on this flat spot (maybe one in a 1000 times) no current will go the to windings ...

I do not know if this is actually what's happening with your guys Commander ... but I believe that's what it is with mine ... by trying the key a bunch of times the starter will bump slowly past the flat spot and start up fine.

 

Well, not restarting (out of the blue) almost ruined the family weekend. Had the Jeep (2006 95000 Km, 4.7L) towed to Chrysler (it was having warranty work done first thing tomorrow) and went by the next day after reading these posts. Tried the new back up key and it still clicked. Then I turned the key 'on' 'off' rapidly and at about the 5th or 6th try, the starter engaged and she fired up ... Chrysler will charge me about 290.00 Cdn for a new starter (I'm sure that's what they'll suggest) or I can spend 66.00 and go pick it up in Buffalo and put the damn thing on myself (probably what I'll do) ... it's running fine now but I can't chance it with the wife ... this flat spot theory does seem to make some sense - perhaps a quality assurance issue with the part manufacturer? :ugh2:

 

Yeggester

I was explaining that theory to my wife last night, but I find it hard to think this has happened on three different starters.

 

Yeggster

I was explaining that theory to my wife last night, but I find it hard to think this has happened on three different starters.

IMO that gives more credence to the theory ... the starter could be designed poorly, and subsequent starters made in exactly the same manner, failed in the same way.

 

Well,
Since we're playing speculation.....

After reading of this type of failure on this forum many times, many owners, different areas of the country, I'm beginning to wonder if these starters come equiped with crappy solenoids.

For those who don't know how it works, a quick overview:
The key switch only energizes the solenoid, which is simply a electro-mechanical relay.
Two things occur when the switch is turned to the crank position.
1. From the switch, full voltage is sent (with what appears to be another relay underhood) to the solenoid mounted on the starter. This energizes a electro-magnet that:
2. Slides the starter gear towards the flywheel and at the same time the sliding pole, once it has run out of travel, drives a contact disc against the terminal that you can see the positive battery cable bolted to.
This disc also is in contact with the motors, current in, terminals. (trying to simplify)
The disc completes the circuit, positive terminal (internal) to the motor itself.

When all this comes together: Turn key, energize relay, energize solenoid, slide gear, energize motor, motor spins engine, the cycle is complete.

OK then,
The description seems to always be the same.....click, down by the starter, no crank.
Battery tested good....continual fiddling resulted in starter motor came back to life.

I contend, the click you hear is the solenoid sliding the starter gear in position.
The silence you hear is the result of the contact disc not sending current to the motor itself.
Since many have found multiple switch cycles often will cause the starter to crank, I believe that the multiple strikes against the contact disc are resulting in it creating a clean spot and once again, completeing the circuit.
If I'm right, the failure will recur once that section of the disc corrodes again.

I have also seen 'flat spots' on an armature, which really is a burn spot, that if the starter stops rotating with one of the armature plates under one of the four brushes, the click, no crank, will also recur.
But, in this discussion, since Creek has gone through 3 starters, I find the flat spotting unlikely. (not impossible, but 3 times?)

My thoughts,
Rob

P.S. The downside of this discussion is, regardless if I'm right or wrong, the solenoid is not a sevice part (thanks Jeep) so you end up buying a starter regardless of failure.

 

0730 this Tuesday 9/1 or maybe /2 is my appointment and I will let you know what if anything is found.

On a side note the wife has an 08 Liberty which she has been complaining to me about a brake noise. We were out today and I could definately hear it. Stopped to get a few fishing items and when she started the car the brake, esp, abs lights came on and are still on. Since I am going to a new dealer Orlando C/D/J in a new part town, I had her drive there. We arrived at 3:30 and the place closes at 3. To make a long story short although the mechanic could not get a starscan to look at it he took it for a ride and carwled underneath to take a look along with the test drive and thinks it is a sensor that went bad. So needless to say I am impressed, because I think he was off the clock and he assured the wife it was ok to drive. I have a good feel about6 this dealer.

I would have waited until next week to check this out if I had confedence that my XK would not leave me stranded. Later.