Ok, my buddy and I are at the office right now trying to figure out a problem with his 98 Jeep Cherokee. It won't start on it's own, but it will start with cables. As soon as he puts it in reverse and starts backing up it dies. The lights work fine, the radio works fine and everything electrical is working. It all started with a "click" and no turnover. After beating on the starter with a hammer for a while I moved on to jumping it...Now I have no idea. Anybody have anything on this?

 

Sounds like the alternator is shot, which made the battery die.

Measure the voltage output from the alternator, should be between 14 and 14.5v usually

 

If alternator is shot, then why would the lights and stereo work just fine?

 

I skipped over that part

Depending on the draw from the starter to operate, the battery may just need replacing. I've seen many cars that appear to have a properly charged battery, but won't start- you need to load test the battery and go from there

 

Well, now you see our dilemma as it shouldn't matter if the battery is charged or not if the vehicle is already running. It wouldn't explain it stalling upon backing up.

 

Quit wasting your breathe and call a tow truck then...