Mechanical Failure

That might explain the metallic clanging..... but it was cranking over OK, just not firing..... until his wife somehow started it.

OP, be very nice to your wife. You might need her to "fix" things again someday.

 

So far so good. No over heating. I’m gonna go with the starter getting hung up. Truck is usually parked on a decline in my driveway- facing down. First time this happened though.

And unusually that it would crank and not start.

maybe when my wife jumped into the driver seat, the starter reengaged. Not implying anything…….

Thank you everyone for your quick responses. I’ll update if anything develops.

 

Yes ! I had the exact same thing happen to me 98 Cherokee XJ....It was the flex plate BUT the problem continued till replaced.

 

So I ran the truck today. No problem with starting. No metal clanging. No issues at all. Hoping this was just a fluke. Weird but happy everything turned out ok.

 

Yes this happened to my 02 taco , fly wheel have several cracks