There is nothing more frustrating than discovering that your vehicle doesn’t want to start; especially if you are in a hurry. You may be wondering why your Jeep Liberty won’t start and how it can be fixed. Understanding what is causing the issue can better prepare you for the future if it happens again.
The most common reasons a Jeep Liberty won’t start is because of a weak or dead battery, a failing starter, or a clogged fuel filter. Other common reasons include faulty fuses, spark plugs, coils, or the alternator is starting to go bad.
Start by checking the battery and the starter fuses. For more information about why your Jeep Liberty won’t start and other tips continue reading.
Common Reasons Why A Jeep Liberty Won’t Start
Understanding how your Jeep works can help you to diagnose why it won’t start so you get back on the road quickly and as inexpensively as possible. The section below gives insight into why your Jeep Liberty may not be starting.
Several things can prevent a Jeep Liberty from starting, thankfully most are fairly easy and inexpensive to fix. The most common reasons are:
- Weak or dead battery
- Dirty battery terminals or bad ground connection
- Fuel system issues
- Faulty fuses, plugs, wires, or coil
- Failing starter or starter wires
Here’s a quick video showing where the fuses and relays you want to check first are:
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Why Is My Jeep Liberty Making A Clicking Sound?
The most common reason a Jeep Liberty won’t start is usually related to an issue with the battery or charging system.
Sometimes a battery will have just enough juice to power the radio or lights but not enough to crank the engine.
Other times there will be nothing but some clicking sounds when you turn the key. That is generally a sign of a dead battery or an issue with the starter or ignition.
Common reasons a battery may be weak or dead:
- The lights or radio were left on while the vehicle was not running
- The battery is old
- The alternator is not charging the battery
If you find that you have a weak or dead battery the simple solution is to have someone give you a jump start if possible.
Generally, once the vehicle has been jump-started the battery will recharge as it is driving and you won’t experience any more issues unless something is going on with the alternator or wiring system.
It is always a good idea to keep a set of jumper cables and some basic tools in your Jeep Liberty in the event it won’t start.
Some batteries have a cover that needs to be removed before you can access the terminals to jump-start the engine. That is why it is helpful to keep tools in your vehicle.
Corrosion And Bad Connections
Another common issue that occurs is dirt or corrosion build-up on the battery terminals. Generally, a simple cleaning will solve this issue and you will be running the roads in no time.
To clean the terminals on your battery you can use a wire brush or battery terminal cleaning tool. Another old trick that people use is to pour Coca-Cola on the corroded battery terminals.
The Coke bubbles up and helps to remove the crusty buildup that is preventing your battery from getting a good connection.
Additionally, it is not uncommon for a ground wire to need replacing. If the vehicle is not grounded properly it cannot make the proper connections it needs to start the engine.
It can be helpful to own a multimeter that can help you to determine which connections or wires are bad. A multimeter can save a lot of time because you are not playing a guessing game of which wire is bad.
Sickly Starter Or Wires
A bad starter motor or components will definitely cause your Jeep Liberty to not start. If the starter is not properly grounded it will also cause the vehicle not to start. Be sure to check that the wires to the starter are properly connected.
If you want to try to diagnose a bad starter at home you will need someone to sit in the Jeep and try to start the vehicle as you gently tap on the starter motor with a hammer. Oftentimes as you are tapping and someone is working the ignition the vehicle will start.
If tapping on the starter gets your engine going then you know it is time to have the starter replaced so you don’t end up stranded in a parking lot or at the gas pump.
Lack Of Fuel
If you are having issues with your fuel system such as a weak fuel filter or dirty fuel injectors it can prevent your Jeep Liberty from starting. The engine needs to get the proper fuel-to-air ratio to start and run properly.
Here’s a good video showing how to replace a fuel pump and the process to diagnose fuel problems:
Electrical And Firing System Issues
The following things can cause your Jeep Liberty not to start:
- Blown fuses
- Fouled spark plugs
- Bad spark plug wires
- Bad or failing coils
Fortunately, all of the items on this list are fairly simple and not too expensive to replace. If you are mechanically inclined you should be able to resolve the issues listed above in a short amount of time.
Overheated Or Locked Up Engine
Lastly, it is not unheard of for an engine to be seized due to overheating or running without fluids but this is not a common issue. The items discussed above are the most common and can generally be fixed easily at home or by your preferred mechanic.
Continue reading for tips on how to prevent or fix the issues discussed above.
Preventative Maintenance Keeps The Tow Truck Away
It is important to keep your vehicle properly maintained to prevent the issues above from happening. If you routinely inspect your vehicle visually as well as ensure that the fluids are full it will last longer and run better.
Routine inspections allow problems that arise to be dealt with promptly rather than letting them go and turn into a costly repairs. If you have mechanical knowledge many of the things on the list can be done at home.
It is also important to have a professional mechanic inspect your Jeep Liberty every six to twelve months. They can put the vehicle on a lift and give it a thorough inspection to be sure that all systems and parts are working properly.
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Jeep Liberty Simple To Diagnose And Fix When Not Starting
As you can see, most of the reasons that your Jeep Liberty won’t start are pretty simple to diagnose and fix. Keeping your vehicle regularly maintained can prevent many of the issues discussed above and help your Jeep Liberty to last longer.