Hi i have a 97 wrangler stick will not crank by key but if i cross mean power to small wire at starter starts run fin bypassed wire at clucht peddle nothing do not seem to be getting power to the small wire at starter need help over looking something

When you say you're having a hard time starting it does that mean it cranks over fine but it just takes a while to start or does that mean the starter is dragging when you try to start it

There is no way to bypass the starter, your starter is what turns the engine and without it, well...nothing happens. There are ways to tell if the starter is the problem though. If you have a test light you can ground the clip end of the test light and probe the small wire going to the starter solenoid. If it gets power and lights up with the key in the crank position and the large cable has battery power at all times, then most likely the starter needs replacing.

Could be the starter motor, a bad solenoid or bad battery connections.

can you use a jumper wire at the starter to bypass the key ? Jumping the small wire on the starter solenoid with the large wire should make it crank.

Check the battery or try jumping it. You can also cross starter connections to turn it over(make sure it is in neutral if stick and wheels are chocked). May have burnt up a relay or the starter selonoid.

when you do that you are bypassing the starter relay witch is on the fender well under the hood about 1.5 inch round and 2 inches long assuming you have all the wires hooked up to the starter double check work and then find the relay and jump it and see if it starts if so your done if not check wires for crossion or a break in the positive wire or wires some where good luck

hi theellisgang,

here is two of the best links to look at with your reported issue

http://www.ehow.com/video_112584_troubleshoot-car-wont.html

http://autorepair.about.com/od/troubleshooting/a/ts_no-start.htm

Hi Tyler.
By run position I assume you mean that you're trying to crank the engine, and that by nothing you mean that there's no sign of the starter engaging. Is this correct?
If you've checked the starter and you are absolutely sure it's getting power you have a seemingly impossible problem, because if the starter is getting the power it needs and you know it's mechanically ok there's nothing in the world that could stop it from cranking.
Are you sure you haven't missed a wire when checking the starter? If the car has an alarm with an immobilizer (also called start inhibitor) it might be activated due to a fault somewhere in the wiring. Some cars might even disable the starter if a critical engine failure is detected. If so the cars diagnostic system should report a fult code when checked. (And, needless to say, an attempt to hot-wire the starter is not recommended until you identify the problem).
I'm really curious about this problem, please notify me when you find a solution!
Good luck!

If you can turn the engine by hand, it has not locked. If it did, you would get an engagement noise from starter, but it would not turn. I'd look at the neutral safety switch (automatic) or clutch switch (stick vehicles) and ignition switch, starter relay (usually in the power distribution box near the battery) Also any related fuses for start system if in there.Likely you will find that no power is getting to the small wire on the starter solenoid.

is this a manuel or automatic transmission? if its automatic try forcing the shift lever forward while trying to start, if its a manuel check the clutch pedal switch , if no luck with those check to see if the ignition switch is giving 12volts in the start position, if not then just put a momentary contact push button on the dash and put key on power to one side of the button and the other side to the small wire on the starter then you have yourself a push button start with the key on only so there are no accidents, please rate -jeff