2007 Liberty Won't Start

Hi guys,

I have a 2007 Liberty that won't start.

I turn the key and nothing not even a click.
The lights do turn on in the dash.
The fuel Pump turns on
The battery is new and strong but I retested and its fine
I replaced the starter and that's fine
I replaced the starter relay and that's not it.
I made a jumper and shorted out the 2 large leads where the starter relay goes and the Jeep started right up.
I tested the alternator and below are my readings:

Car not running - 12.24
Car running - 13.74

Now those numbers are a tad low but not unacceptable in my book but maybe for a jeep? This is my first Jeep so I'm not sure.

Based on what I've done above does any one have any suggestion on what the culprit could be? Thanks

Dave

The safety switch isn’t working. Try starting it in neutral instead of park. If that still doesn’t work, there’s a neutral safety switch as well. Either way, you could jump those switches as a test and replace them for relatively cheap if it starts up after that.


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Remove the Starter Relay. Briefly jumper female pins 30 to 87 inside the empty socket....make sure you are in Park or Neutral and the ignition is switched ON.

The Jeep should start and run. This method bypasses the ignition switch and the Park and Neutral switches.

A common problem with the KJs is the Actuator Pin Assembly breaking. This is the pin that rotates when you turn the ignition key to rotate the ignition switch.
It initially has enough strength to turn the ignition lamps on but lacks the strength to move to the final Start position.

Remove the two plastic covers over the steering column...two female Torx screws. Locate the ignition switch on the steering column held in place by a smaller female Torx screw. This is a Security Screw that takes a male Torx driver with a hole down its center.

If you see pieces of debris falling down as you pull the ignition switch off then the Actuator Pin assembly is broken. The Dealers do not stock this but you can get it from places like Dorman....do a search for Actuator Pin Assembly on the various KJ forums for advice on where to get one.

In the meantime you can use a small flat screwdriver to rotate the ignition switch....make sure the ignition key is in its normal slot so as to undo the steering lock and to activate the SKIS system from the chip inside the key.

If the actuator pin is not broken then check if it starts in Neutral or Park...if one of them does not work then that switch or connector has failed.

Could also be the shift range switch the n the transmission. If it goes bad it won't tell the PCM it's in park or neutral. It will not turn over or start. Valve body must be removed to replace.

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I'm leaning toward the actuator pin. I did able to jump the 2 pin and bypass the starter and the car started immediately. It didn't even hesitate.

I noticed yesterday when I would turn the key it wasn't moving the way it should so I will take the column apart and see what falls out. Hopefully that will be the issue. Thanks

I'll keep you posted. Thanks

Dave

UPDATE:

I took the column apart and took the two small torx screws out under the ignition switch and nothing really fell out except for the spring. However, the entire assembly was super sloppy and the key hardly clicks when you turn the key into the start position. I'm thinking it's the ignition switch.

What are your thoughts and if you agree do I purchase the entire ignition lock housing like below? Or something else?

https://www.rockauto.com/info/903/1S12946__ra_p.jpg

Thanks Dave

Dave, I have replied to your PM...you ideally need an owner of a newer USA KJ to chip in here but it does pretty much look like the actuator assembly on my Export 2002 CRD.