A starter cranks the 3.7L or 4.7L engine, drawing air and fuel into the cylinders of your Jeep Grand Cherokee and compressing them so they will ignite. It also gets the ignition and crankshaft into place so the spark plugs will fire and the fuel injectors will operate. Therefore, a failing starter will prevent the engine from starting. Follow these steps to replace the starter in a 1999 to 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Remove the Malfunctioning Starter

1. Step 1

   Park your Jeep Grand Cherokee on a level surface, activate the emergency brake and place blocks behind the back tires for safety. Disconnect the negative battery cable with a terminal puller and isolate it. Raise the front end of the car with a jack for easier access to the starter.

2. Step 2

   Check for a support bracket if your Jeep Grand Cherokee has four wheel drive (also in some transmissions). You will find the support bracket between the front axle and side of the transmission. Remove the two support bracket bolts at the transmission and pry the support bracket away slightly to obtain access to the starter bolts. Place the bolts you remove in the jar for safe keeping until later.

3. Step 3

   Support the weight of the starter and unfasten the starter mounting bolts. Place the bolts in the jar. Move the starter toward the front of the vehicle. The nose of the starter pinion housing should clear the housing.

4. Step 4

   Point the nose of the starter downward and lower the starter enough to remove the nut that fastens the battery positive cable wire harness connector eyelet to the solenoid battery terminal stud.

5. Step 5

   Remove and disconnect the positive battery cable from the solenoid terminal stud/connector receptacle. Remove the starter motor from the engine of your Jeep Grand Cherokee.

6. Step 6

   Take your malfunctioning starter to the parts store with you. Aftermarket distributors remanufacture most of the starters they sell, so you can likely obtain a partial credit toward your new starter by exchanging your old one. Be sure that you take care not to damage the starter in transit, because the better condition it is in, the more you can get for it.

7. Step 7

   Purchase a replacement starter that has the same or higher cranking capacity (power rating) as the original starter. Also, match the bolt patterns, drive gears and electrical connections. Your owner's manual may list specifications or the auto parts technician will help you determine them. Download an owner's manual on the My Jeep website.

   Install the New Starter

8. Step 1

   Snap the solenoid wire to the starter motor. Remember to support the weight of the starter at all times.

9. Step 2

   Reconnect the positive battery cable to the solenoid stud and tighten the battery cable eyelet nut.

10. Step 3

    Position the starter next to the transmission. If your Jeep Grand Cherokee has an automatic transmission, put the cooler tube bracket in position. Install and tighten the starter mounting bolts. Replace transmission support bracket.

11. Step 4

    Lower your Jeep Grand Cherokee back to the ground. Reconnect the negative battery cable. Turn the key in the ignition to see if your new starter motor functions correctly.