Know about the most common causes and their quick fixes for why your Jeep compass won’t start! It’s not as big an issue as it seems.
Well, don’t worry since it’s quite normal that a jeep compass won’t start under some circumstances. The good news is that you can start your compact SUV in a few minutes by recognizing the main causes. So today, we’re going to jot down some of the most common reasons for why your Jeep compass won’t start.
FAQs
Why is my Jeep not starting and clicking?
It mostly happens when your battery is near dead or too weak to crank the engine. To fix this issue, you either need to recharge the battery using the jump start method or replace the battery.
What are the signs of a failing starter?
If your Jeep is emitting strange noises like whirring, grinding, or clinking, and the hood emits smoke, it indicates that your Jeep’s starter system is failing.
What causes a Jeep Compass to go into limp mode?
Limp mode is developed to prevent further damages from occurring when one of the components or signals is behaving abnormally. It usually happens due to low fluid levels, dysfunctional clutch or brakes, faulty sensors or engines, and transmission issues.
How do I know if my Jeep is in limp mode?
You can see various warning lights on the dashboard when the jeep is in limp mode. Besides, your Jeep will also experience a sudden and quick power loss when in limp mode.
Also, we have mentioned quick and easy solutions for how you can resolve each problem, without any external assistance. So just dive into the article so you can get back to your off-road trip without further ado.
Causes & Fixes
Dead or Weak Battery
The most common reason why your Jeep compass is not starting is the dead battery. It mostly happens when your Jeep stays out of function for several weeks (or several days in extremely cold weather). If that’s the problem, you need to either replace the battery (if it’s past its lifespan) or jumpstart it.
To get sure that the starting issue is due to a weak or dead battery, conduct a battery voltage test. For this, you need to get a multimeter and set its range according to the voltage range of your battery. Once done, connect it with the positive and negative poles of your battery and assess the voltage.
To jumpstart the battery, you’ll require another vehicle with working capabilities and a jumper cable. Connect the batteries of your Jeep compass and working vehicle with jumper cables. Once done, turn on the engines of both donor and recipient vehicles and let them run for a few minutes.
If your Jeep compass still doesn’t start and you’re sure that there’s nothing wrong with fuel or other components, consider replacing the battery. Sometimes, a jeep compass doesn’t start even with a brand-new battery. If that’s the case, you need to check for the wiring (whether they are intact and correctly attached).
No Gasoline
Of course, one of the most obvious reasons why your Jeep compass isn’t starting is its empty fuel tank. You might have returned late home last night and forgotten to refill the tank. Or, you might have returned from a long road trip and forgotten to check the fuel tank. If you switch off your Jeep when it’s out of fuel, it won’t start unless you refill the tank.
Thus, all you need to do in this situation is to get fuel and refill the tank. Once done, let it settle down for a few minutes and turn on the engine. Quite easy peasy, right?
Defective Starters
If your compass emits a buzzing sound on inserting the key in the ignition but the engine doesn’t crank, it’s probably due to the defective starter motor. Speaking of the defects in starter motors, they could be numerous. For instance, some of its components might get jammed for not coming into use for a long time. Likewise, some of its gears may slide out of their original position which may also keep it from working.
In both cases, you can temporarily make your starter motor functional by tapping it lightly with a hammer, when someone is igniting the engine in the meantime. However, if nothing happens, you better call a professional for your starter motor’s evaluation or replacement.
Sometimes, connectors that connect the starter to the battery get weak or corroded and thus, stop working. In that case, you need to either replace the corroded connectors or tighten them up for better electricity transmission.
Faulty Alternators
Alternators produce electricity which in turn is used to charge the battery. So if alternators are not in the right form, the battery won’t charge and the engine won’t crank. Even if you replace the battery with a new one, you’ll face the same problem in a few days when the battery will run out of charge.
Mostly, alternators tend to last for a very long time and don’t break easily. But still, as with other components of your automobiles, these alternators may be worn out and need to be replaced. The life of your alternator depends upon how aggressively you use your compass. Generally, this component lasts six years. The only way to fix this issue is to replace the alternator.
Wondering why you can’t fix the broken alternator? Well, doing so will not only cost you much more but also comes with extremely small chances of success. On the other hand, the replacement costs around $775-$850 including the labor cost.
Malfunctioned Spark Plugs
Spark plugs are the electrical components that ignite fuel in the gasoline cylinder. If these plugs are worn out, corroded, or not connected properly, they won’t produce enough electricity to ignite the gasoline. Resultantly, your Jeep compass won’t start.
So, check for these spark plugs and if you find them broken, worn out, or rusted, replace them with new ones. On the other hand, if these spark plugs are in perfect condition, there must be a problem with the connectors. Check them out to find out whether they are fastened to the connection points correctly. If not, fasten them up and try to crank the engine.
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