I just purchased a 2005 CRD through a local auction. I was told by the owner that he drove it to the auction but now it will not start. The battery went dead while it was sitting at the action, but we jumped it and there is no start. The dash lights up, but when you turn the key, nothing happens....like the starter or the starter relay is not working....no clicking, nothing.......is this a common issue with these cars? Can someone give me some things to try....its still sitting at the auction, I dont really want to pay for a tow truck.
Thanks
The first thing is to be sure that you have a good battery, the battery connections are clean and tight, the negative lead going to chassis is clean and tight and the grounding strap from the engine to chassis is clean and tight both ends.
Then try start it in "Neutral" instead of "Park"...the Neutral sensor on the transmission may be faulty.
Then swap over the Starter Relay with an identical one next to it inside the relay/fuse box under the hood and see if it starts.
Then pull out the Starter Relay...there is Decal identifying its position. Inside the relay socket identify which female pins are marked as 30 and 87. With the Jeep in Neutral or Park so you do not run yourself over...jumper socket pins 30 and 87 together
briefly with a short piece of wire or paper clip.
Provided Fuse 8 (40 A) under the hood is OK...the engine should turn over and start if the ignition has been turned ON.
If this works then you should be able to drive the Jeep home...the next step is to get access to the ignition switch...there is a common problem of the Actuator Pin Assembly that turns the ignition switch when you turn the key...breaks off. It at first starts to break but is able to turn the cluster lights ON but does not have the strength to activate the last spring-loaded section of the Start position...you usually do not feel this spring action if the pin has broken. If this is the problem you can post back here or search the Jeep forums for "actuator Pin" to find out how to replace it and where to get a new assembly...Dealers do not have it listed.:shrug: