Why Won’t My Jeep Renegade Start?

Jeep Renegade is a crossover subcompact SUV produced by Stellantis and was first publicly shown in March 2014.

Until 2022, it remains the company’s smallest vehicle currently being marketed. The interior is made up of a leather or cloth surface.

The Jeep Renegade was a well-liked vehicle with a reliability rating of 80/100, but there were some starting problems reported by many owners.

These starting issues have left many owners wondering “why won’t my Jeep Renegade start?”.

The most common of these problems are listed below:

Dead Battery
Alternator Problem
Failed Starter
Fuel Pump Failure
Blown Fuse

If you want to avoid these problems then make sure to read until the end of the article and ensure you know enough in case you ever face one.

Table of Contents

What Would Cause A Jeep Renegade To Not Start?

As mentioned above, there can be quite a several reasons.

In this section, I will break down the reasons so you can evaluate which one might be the reason for your problem.

Not only will it help you recognize the problem, but it will also discuss its workarounds.

1: Dead Battery

If you seem to have a problem with cranking up your engine, the issue could be a dead battery or another battery problem.

A battery voltage test can further clarify this claim if you want to be sure. This test can be done by measuring the voltage between poles.

Another alternative is checking the starter battery’s acid levels and condition. Battery issues are nothing new for seasoned car owners, who know how high maintenance they are.

A proper and well-charged battery is nothing but necessary for a functional vehicle.

The battery of a Jeep Renegade is its key component, and it is highly sensitive even concerning the weather.

If you just bought the Jeep recently and are still facing battery issues, don’t worry. The battery will likely take a while to start working at its full capacity.

If you have had it for a while, another possible reason for the battery acting up might just be corrosion.

What Should You Do About It?

Check your battery for any signs of loose or corroded wiring. If you find the case for either, get them replaced.
Terminals can also corrode, so lift the rubber covers to check them. If you find only white or silvery green deposits, clean them instead of replacing them.
If no apparent issue is visible, do the voltage test using a multimeter. Successful testing usually gives a value of around 12–13 volts.
Values above 14 or below 11.5 are problematic. This means they have to be assessed by a professional.
When a dead battery is the issue, jumper cables and a healthy battery supply come in handy.
This helps jumpstart your battery and provides a booster for connecting terminals.
Make sure you turn on the donor vehicle before your jeep. The wires have to be removed in reverse order.
If it is obvious that your battery is old and has gone past its actual life, it must be replaced.

2: Alternator Problem

An alternator is a generator that produces electricity for your vehicle. If your jeep’s alternator fails, the battery cannot be charged.

This means that even if the battery is replaced, that one will eventually stop working. Alternator issues are rare but most likely in cars of excessive use or age.

It is also important to note that driving with a faulty alternator is highly risky due to the risk of breakdown.

There are a few symptoms of a bad alternator in the Jeep Renegade. These include slow cranking, red battery warning lights, dim lights, and/or stalling engine.

What Should You Do About It?

Measure the voltage of the battery terminals while the engine is running.
The voltage should be around 13.5-14.8 volts with a working engine. If not, replace the alternator.
Turn on all the accessories of your jeep that demand electricity. These include A.C, headlights, interior lights, etc., and then measure the voltage.
If low, the voltage is an indicator of a bad alternator needing replacement.
Get it checked by a certified professional if you want to be sure if the alternator needs replacement.
This is significant because battery issues have similar symptoms. So it would be helpful to clarify the actual problem before buying a new alternator.

3: Failed Starter

A starter is exactly like its name suggest use to start your Jeep’s engine.

The general life of a starter is around 100,000 to 150,000 miles. This can be shortened according to the condition of the car and its age.

The starter motor is most likely to eventually break down with a not-so-large life span. In such a scenario, starting your engine without fixing the problem becomes impossible.

Moreover, the starter works by rotating the internal combustion engine. This helps generate power for the actual working of the engine and is controlled by a motor.

The motor wears out a little each time it is used. There are a few symptoms to identify a problematic starter motor.

These can include clicking noises while starting your engine. Moreover, a starter motor failure usually causes the car to stop immediately.

What Should You Do About It?

Detach the actual starter motor from the car and check it by itself.
If it’s working as normal outside the actual jeep, it is clarified that it isn’t the problem.
If it doesn’t work, assume the starter motor is faulty.
Get it checked by a professional. This can include car services for the Jeep Renegade itself or a certified general car mechanic.
Starter motors have a life, so further investigation is usually unnecessary if proven to be faulty. This is because, in most cases, it needs replacement, not fixing.
In the rare case of getting your starter motor fixed, turn to a professional. Even then, it isn’t highly recommended as it will cost more.
A temporary fix is also possible if the only problem is the alignment of the motor’s gears.
This is using a metal tool to hit the actual motor, which may just help parts that are stuck together.

4: Fuel Pump Failure

The Jeep Renegade demands a large amount of fuel to function properly.

This includes keeping the gas tank full and ensuring the engine is getting enough fuel. The latter is the job of these fuel pumps.

Hence, you can say that the failure of these pumps can cause serious problems in the actual working of the engine if it even works.

They not only systemically pump the fuel into the engine but also regulate the amount with sufficient pressure.

With a faulty fuel pump, your engine does not receive the correct amount of fuel for efficient functioning.

This will result in problems with engine performance, its cranking up, and frequent breakdowns. These symptoms also cause power loss.

The fuel pumps remain in constant function for the jeep to work. Until the Jeep is turned off, they don’t get a break. So they are pretty worn out depending on the use.

What Should You Do About It?

The engine makes a whining sound to indicate a faulty fuel pump. Keep your ears alert and listen closely; you may just identify the problem in time.
When checking up, look for blockages and leakages in the pumps. Any such hurdle may be causing the engine not to receive enough fuel.
Another apparent fault which can be recognized is the wear or contamination of the pumps.
A broken power contact or a broken pump level can also be the reason for the fuel pump failure.
It is possible to get the fuel pump fixed, even though it isn’t highly recommended with its usage.
This is because of the amount of exertion they are put through and the cost-effectiveness of actually replacing them.

5: Blown Fuse

Again, this is a rare issue, but not unlikely considering the number of electrical components used in the vehicle.

Not just the Jeep Renegade, most cars have many relays and fuses. The basic job of a fuse is to just cut off the electrical supply in case of a problem with the voltage of the car.

This is to ensure the protection of all other, rather expensive, vehicle components. A blown fuse is usually a result of preventing possible harm to other components.

However, relays usually go bad at a far greater frequency than a fuse. Nonetheless, a blown fuse can cause the breakdown of your car.

What Should You Do About It?

Check the box in the engine to ensure the working of all necessary fuses. You can easily spot a blown fuse and replace it.
In the case of a bad relay, clicking noises can be a sign to check for any possible damage to them. This can be done by attaching a tester to a car battery with an attached relay.
It is recommended to go to a mechanic to get your blown fuses replaced.
If your fuses keep blowing, get them checked because there will most likely be a bigger electrical problem at hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why Won’t My Jeep Renegade Start With New Battery?

One likely reason for this can be the improper installation of the battery with loose wires.

So make sure you get your new battery installed by a professional. If the issue is still there, get the general system checked.

Q2. Why Won’t My Jeep Renegade Start Even With A Jump?

Usually, a Jeep Renegade’s battery issues can be resolved by a simple jump.

If this isn’t the case for you, it simply means you are dealing with a dead battery. Getting it replaced is the only option after the problem is identified.

Q3. Why Won’t My Jeep Renegade Start But Lights Work?

The power required by the interior lighting of a Jeep Renegade is far less than the actual engine.

So it is easy for a low-charged battery to turn on the lights but not the engine. A simple jumpstart is likely to solve the issue.

Q4. Why Won’t My Jeep Renegade Start But Cranks?

Cranking is an indication that the internal electrical system is functioning normally.

So it’s most likely the problem is with the fuel pumps/systems or the engine. Problems like these have to be checked by a professional.

Q5. Why Won’t My Jeep Renegade Start Just Clicks?

Clicking noise, in fact, is a system of a faulty electrical system, as mentioned earlier.

The problem could be anything, from a low battery to a faulty alternator. So it is highly recommended to get the car assessed by a mechanic.

Q6. Why Won’t My Jeep Renegade Start In The Cold Weather?

As mentioned in the introduction, the weather does affect the efficiency of a vehicle, even the Jeep Renegade.

The power output of the battery decreases and can also interfere with the functioning of spark plugs. So make sure to check your battery’s voltage before starting.

Q7. Why Won’t My Jeep Renegade Start After I Get Gas?

Due to the large functioning of the Jeep, a sufficient amount and pressure of fuel is required for its functioning.

Cleaning the fuel filters will most likely fix this problem. If not then you need to check the fuel pump.

Q8. Why Won’t My Jeep Renegade Start But Radio Works?

Similar to lights, the radio requires way less power than the actual engine of the jeep.

Ignition system problems or a low battery can be possible reasons for this. These can usually be fixed easily by a jumpstart.

Conclusion

Even with its great functionality and features, the Jeep Renegade is an underrated vehicle in general.

Since it launched, it has expanded its horizons by offering a high range of engine sizes.

The reliability score ranks it as average, and it has struggled to find a perfect demographic that it appeals to.

It can be inferred that the crossover has produced something that doesn’t exactly fall into any group’s interests perfectly.

Still, if you find yourself with the car and the question, “Why won’t my Jeep Renegade start?” hopefully, this article was able to help you answering it.

Tahir Azam

I am Tahir Azam, and I have been writing amazing articles for TaxiHack for as long as I can remember. I know everything that is to know when it comes to automobiles and is always on top of industry news and developments. While I am not an expert by any means, I pride myself on knowing the ins and outs of many different problems and, of course, their solutions. The articles on our website are some of the best and well-researched content that you will find, and I spend countless hours making sure this remains to be true. This is why I ask you to take your time out and read some of my articles, especially if you find a topic that resonates with you or is something you are looking into. This way, you will find the perfect mix of information and tips on your desired topic. Learn more about Tahir.