Squeek

Glad you got it running again... Are you sure it's a squeak? If it's a faulty starter you're likely to hear grinding metal rather than a squeak. /wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif

Tim "Sandman"

ORC Land Use columnist:
My May Column

Jeff, first of all, I'm glad you got your Jeep running again. If you don't mind a piece of advice, you don't have to make a new posting every time. You can just add it on to the one you started previously. the reason is it is easier for people who are trying to help. They can just read the entire history of the problem without hopping around between threads.

Like Tim, I'm not really sure what it is that you're describing by "Squeak". Does this noise happen after the engine has started and is it coming from the starter area? I'm guessing that the starter might not be aligned exactly. What happens is when the starter is engaged, a gear moves out from the front of the starter motor and meshes with teeth on the flex plate, which spins the engine and that gets the engine to start. When the engine is started and you release the key, the starter gear (called a bendix drive) retracts and allows the engine to turn on its own. If the starter is not aligned properly, the gear doen't disengage at the right time and you can get a pinging noise. That might be the noise you are describing as a squeak. When you installed the new starter, did you also replace the shim (the flat piece of metal; it has slots that the mounting bolts go thru) that fits between the starter and its mounting place? /wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif

You might be able to pick a shim up at an auto parts store. It's been a while since I replaced my starter on my 86 2.8 Cherokee; so I just don't recall if you can install the shim without removing the bolts. I suppose that it may be possible that your particular Cherokee doesn't need the shim, but I doubt it. Washers might work but I wouldn't know how many you would need to get the proper spacing. You could also try to re align the starter without the shim. It would be a trial and error thing.

You could use the Jeep the way it is but it might lead to worn teeth on the flex plate and bendix drive. Don't put the alignment off too long. Good Luck!!/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif

Yeah, Andy, I think you're right on the money about the shim Z shape....You've jogged my memory....Thanks!/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif

It seems to me the shim should be the same shape as the starter, like a metal gasket. That way no water could get in there. Am I right? Unless the shim stuck to the engine or bellhousing, mine had no shim when I replaced the starter (replaced the first day I had it!).

'89 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 four door, street glow shifter knob, 215/70R15 Mastercrafts.

First of all, GREAT LOOKING CHEROKEE, Kevin!/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif

Your XJ has a 4.0L engine, where Jeff and I have the 2.8L V-6. Those were the 6 cylinder engines offered in the "first generation" XJs (1984-86).

Orientation of the shim shouldn't matter, just as long as you get the shim in place with the fasteners through it... Incidentally, before I've had to shim a starter with only 1/2 the shim meaning only one side got it. /wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif That was on something other than my 2.8L engine though. /wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif So keep that in mind also if the shim doesn't work with both. Might need to be a different way. Not all that likely though.

Tim "Sandman"

ORC Land Use columnist:
My May Column

Ok I installed the shim, a pain in the ass I might add. Bit of advice to anyone shimming their starter, if it is one of the ones with a hole and half hole so you only have to remove one bolt, it is easier to take out the whole thing. I didn't and realized afterwards that it would have been easier. If you don't take it all the way out make sure you have a light so you can line up the holes in the starter and the engine block and the shim. Also, on my 86 XJ the damn exhaust was in my [censored] way so I had to contort my arm and wrist to get the damn thing in. Anyway all that work and no change. I did realize that it only makes the noise as the key is turned. When I release the key it stops, but if I hold the key turned for an extra sec it stays. It is more of a high pitched scratching that a squeek, sorry my ears werent washed enough before. Oh one more thing. When I was looking at the starter it wasnt flush to the thing near it. The flat back end of the starter looked like it should be flush with whatever the thing is its near, but it wasnt and I couldnt make it and still keep the holes aligned. I don't remember if it was before hand. Anyway there is a lot of information, I hope one of you genius mechanics can figure out what is wrong, if not at least tell me if driving it is a risk of it not starting one time. Thanks.

Jeff