Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

New to me 2004 TJ, ran when parked

rickgram

New Member
Original poster
Joined
Feb 24, 2025
Messages
5
Location
Annapolis, MD
Hoping to get some ideas on what might be going here…

Some back story. Bought this 2004 TJ with a little over 81,000 miles on the odometer. I was told it ran when parked, but had been sitting for 3 years. Get it home start messing with somethings, I put a wrench on the main crank bolt and turned the engine. So I know it’s not seized.

Got a new battery and started investigating the no crank issue. I see a wire going to the starter that’s broken off. But I also noticed there’s no clicking from the relay. So I started poking around. What I currently have going on. No crank (but this may be the small broken wire on the starter...) I don't hear the relay trying to do anything though. I have a constant 12V to pin 1 of the engine starter relay, key on or off. I get 0.7 volts to pin 3 when the key is turned.

I have no horn. As you’ll see in the video, when I turn the head lights on the left turn signal indicator turns on and is steady. No turn signals...

I do have a radio, and the HVAC blower motor works.

I do believe this fuse box has been messed with. There’s solder on some of the fuses and the relay block where the starter is a brighter yellow, leading me to believe it may have been changed.

Any idea where to start with this?

 
Last edited:
Hoping to get some ideas on what might be going here…

Some back story. Bought this 2004 TJ with a little over 81,000 miles on the odometer. I was told it ran when parked, but had been sitting for 3 years. Get it home start messing with somethings, I put a wrench on the main crank bolt and turned the engine. So I know it’s not seized.

Got a new battery and started investigating the no crank issue. I see a wire going to the starter that’s broken off. But I also noticed there’s no clicking from the relay. So I started poking around. What I currently have going on. No crank (but this may be the small broken wire on the starter...) I don't hear the relay trying to do anything though. I have a constant 12V to pin 1 of the engine starter relay, key on or off. I get 0.7 volts to pin 3 when the key is turned.

I have no horn. As you’ll see in the video, when I turn the head lights on the left turn signal indicator turns on and is steady. No turn signals...

I do have a radio, and the HVAC blower motor works.

I do believe this fuse box has been messed with. There’s solder on some of the fuses and the relay block where the starter is a brighter yellow, leading me to believe it may have been changed.

Any idea where to start with this?


I'd start with downloading your FSM and then go through the troubleshooting steps & look at the schematic so you know what each wire is supposed to be doing.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...ice-manuals-fsm-technical-documentation.4618/

That picture you posted is just a picture when clicked on. Some of us don't have great internet so hosting your video on YouTube makes it easier.
 
They didn’t tell you it ran like SHIT when parked. Jump the starter directly to rule it out. Then backtrack from there. I hope you got it for a good price.

Paid $1800 for it. Craigslist find. Figured worst case scenario probably couldn't loose money even if I just resold it on FB Marketplace. Frame looks pretty good. Only places the body seems to have rust is a spot under the passenger side door, and a little in the back. The fuel tank skid plate was toast. Just got a new one in cleaned out the fuel tank and replaced the fuel pump with a Delphi one.

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I bought a "ran when parked, needs gas tank" car. Turned out it had 40psi compression on two cylinders 🥲
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Chris
I'd start with downloading your FSM and then go through the troubleshooting steps & look at the schematic so you know what each wire is supposed to be doing.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...ice-manuals-fsm-technical-documentation.4618/

That picture you posted is just a picture when clicked on. Some of us don't have great internet so hosting your video on YouTube makes it easier.

Just swapped out the link for a youtube one. I think it was how I was trying to upload from my photos app.
 
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Reactions: Wildman
Not a bad price. It gives you plenty of room for repairs. The rust doesn’t look bad for your area. Be prepared for WTF was PO thinking. Nice project.
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts