I have the wiring diagram PDF for the 88 and it clearly indicates my
starter relay on the fender. If you follow the other red wire from the
battery, it leads to it on the fender. It is where all the fuse links
hook up and it has a green wire feeding off it that is the trigger to
the solenoid down on the starter and the other green wire comes from the
key.

If this sucker gets a bad connection is can send no trigger to the
starter or it can arc on on and keep the starter turning.

Check, if you pull off either green wire on the fender unit, you will
have no start.

Mike

Will Honea wrote:
> Dang, that's wierd Mike. My 88 MJ (4L) has the positive cable going
> straight to the solenoid on top of the battery. I would never have thought
> about a detached starter relay! No question about mine - replaced the
> cable and the first one I got was too short - 4 ga wire is somewhat
> inelastic...
>
> On Sun, 25 Feb 2007 11:34:35 -0500, Mike Romain wrote:
>
>> My book says some versions of the Cherokee do have a Motorcraft starter
>> with the solenoid, but anyway, both my 87 and 88 have the fender relay
>> that is the one that can stick on and fry the starter or cause a no
>> start by not working. As you say, just follow the battery cable.
>>
>> Mike
>>
>> Highcountry wrote:
>>> Goodness, what an offer! Chunk my CJ-7 and my XL-500 on the trailer
>>> hitched to my old 4x4 Diesel Suburban and "...off to Alaska!". I
>>> could just "camp" in the Suburban and cruise the CJ and the Honda...
>>>
>>> Be careful, I might not ever leave!!!
>>>
>>> By the way, I agree with the other guys. Since you live in a suburb
>>> of the North Pole, I would look VERY critically at the cables from the
>>> battery to the starter and battery to ground. If they are not
>>> PERFECT, you should replace them also. They MUST be a minimum of 4-
>>> Gauge wire and if 2-Gauge will fit, substitute it instead. Also,
>>> your Cherokee does NOT have a fender mounted solenoid, it is mounted
>>> on the starter like a General Motors or Chrysler. It possibly has a
>>> "starter relay" though. Follow the + (HOT) battery cable from the
>>> battery toward the starter, if there is a small metal box connected
>>> between the battery and the starter, that is the "relay". Just in
>>> case you are suspicious of its condition, the NAPA part # is AR578 and
>>> it is going to cost you about $25.00.
>>>
>>> Cherokees are hindered by only having room for that dinky "Group 58"
>>> battery. In case you need to know, the highest amp NAPA battery that
>>> fits your Cherokee is Part # 7558.
>>>
>>> Once again, good luck!
>>>
>>> Bruce
>>>
>
>
>

 

I have the wiring diagram PDF for the 88 and it clearly indicates my
starter relay on the fender. If you follow the other red wire from the
battery, it leads to it on the fender. It is where all the fuse links
hook up and it has a green wire feeding off it that is the trigger to
the solenoid down on the starter and the other green wire comes from the
key.

If this sucker gets a bad connection is can send no trigger to the
starter or it can arc on on and keep the starter turning.

Check, if you pull off either green wire on the fender unit, you will
have no start.

Mike

Will Honea wrote:
> Dang, that's wierd Mike. My 88 MJ (4L) has the positive cable going
> straight to the solenoid on top of the battery. I would never have thought
> about a detached starter relay! No question about mine - replaced the
> cable and the first one I got was too short - 4 ga wire is somewhat
> inelastic...
>
> On Sun, 25 Feb 2007 11:34:35 -0500, Mike Romain wrote:
>
>> My book says some versions of the Cherokee do have a Motorcraft starter
>> with the solenoid, but anyway, both my 87 and 88 have the fender relay
>> that is the one that can stick on and fry the starter or cause a no
>> start by not working. As you say, just follow the battery cable.
>>
>> Mike
>>
>> Highcountry wrote:
>>> Goodness, what an offer! Chunk my CJ-7 and my XL-500 on the trailer
>>> hitched to my old 4x4 Diesel Suburban and "...off to Alaska!". I
>>> could just "camp" in the Suburban and cruise the CJ and the Honda...
>>>
>>> Be careful, I might not ever leave!!!
>>>
>>> By the way, I agree with the other guys. Since you live in a suburb
>>> of the North Pole, I would look VERY critically at the cables from the
>>> battery to the starter and battery to ground. If they are not
>>> PERFECT, you should replace them also. They MUST be a minimum of 4-
>>> Gauge wire and if 2-Gauge will fit, substitute it instead. Also,
>>> your Cherokee does NOT have a fender mounted solenoid, it is mounted
>>> on the starter like a General Motors or Chrysler. It possibly has a
>>> "starter relay" though. Follow the + (HOT) battery cable from the
>>> battery toward the starter, if there is a small metal box connected
>>> between the battery and the starter, that is the "relay". Just in
>>> case you are suspicious of its condition, the NAPA part # is AR578 and
>>> it is going to cost you about $25.00.
>>>
>>> Cherokees are hindered by only having room for that dinky "Group 58"
>>> battery. In case you need to know, the highest amp NAPA battery that
>>> fits your Cherokee is Part # 7558.
>>>
>>> Once again, good luck!
>>>
>>> Bruce
>>>
>
>
>