About 3 or 4 years ago I pulled the steering column out of my 89 Wrangler. When I put it back in I didn't bolt it in completely so it's been "floating" ever since. After all this time some kind of wiring connection has apparently been broken/disconnected/knocked loose. About three or four weeks ago I got nothing when i turned the key, I jiggled the column and it started right up with no problem. Well now I can't get it start with or without jiggling. I tried to start it using the screwdriver down at the starter technique and got no spark or anything there either. What the hell did I break and how do I fix it?

7/9/2007 9:34:34 PM

check your battery and its connections first.

7/9/2007 9:51:17 PM

Checked that. Battery is fully charged and connections are clean and tight.

[Edited on July 9, 2007 at 10:04 PM. Reason : ..]

7/9/2007 10:03:23 PM

in that case your starter is dead

7/9/2007 10:10:36 PM

Is it the actual starter itself or some wiring associated with it? If it's the starter than I'll be happy as a damn clam because I've changed that thing probably 10 times and know how to do it. The possible wiring issue would present way more of a challenge.

Does the jiggling of the column not imply something is up with the wiring?

7/9/2007 10:19:11 PM

could be, or it could be sheer chance. sometimes when starters go they quit completely, sometimes they work on and off again.

7/10/2007 2:29:36 AM

break out the multimeter and do work, all i can suggest

7/10/2007 7:57:39 AM

That's the problem. I bought one a while back but don't have a damn clue how to do anything but check the charge on my battery. Anybody have any suggestions on easy to read manuals (online or hard copies) on how to use one? My knowledge on auto wiring is pretty much non existent.

7/10/2007 9:12:03 PM

all you have to do is hook it to the terminals of the starter like you would to the battery. have someone turn the ignition. if you get 12v, then it's the starter.

i would say you've already found your problem though, you've screwed up some wiring in the column with it being loose.

7/10/2007 9:22:37 PM