Hi,
I have a very perplexing electrical problem and need some help. I should start out by saying that I am not a novice (worked at a U-Haul repair center for 6 years and have mechanical engineering degree), but this problem is something that I have never seen before.
I have a 95 YJ with the 2.5 and 5 speed. It has 125,000 miles and I don't think came equipped with any extras (A/C) and it essentially bone stock except for some bfg A/T tires.
About a week and half before this problem started, my battery died when I left the light on all night. It had been in there for 4 years and had finally bit the dust, so I replaced it.
Like I said, a week and half goes by and I go to crank the jeep and it has no power at all. No power to any of the accessories and will not even attempt to crank, not even click.
I had to get to work, so I threw some jumper cables on there and it cranked. I have about an hour drive to work, which should be enough to at least partially charge the battery. To test this, when I got to work I turned off the vehicle and immediately without waiting a second tried to crank it back up. It still acted as if it had a stone cold dead battery. Not even a click to try and turn the motor and the accessories would still not come one. No headlights, brakelights, reverse lights at all.
Jumped it again to get home. I noticed on the ride that it was charging a little high. Around 15 or 16 volts according to my gauge. Not quite in the redline area.
Get home and start testing:
Took the battery completely out of the Jeep and according to my multimeter, it is fully charged.
Pu the battery back in the Jeep and according to my multimeter, it is getting a full 12 volts at the starter.
I tested both of the battery cables downstream to ensure that the cable were well connected. They tested fine.
I pulled off the alternator and took it to Autozone (I did not think this was the issue, but I just wanted to check) and it tested as being in perfect condition.
I took off the dash and removed the ignition switch. It was receiving power and all of the proper outgoing wires got good signal at the right times when I cycled through the ignition.
Went back to the starter. With the help of a friend, tested the remote ignition wire coming into the starter solenoid. I did not get any power when he tried to crank it by cycling the ignition switch. I then took a screw driver and jumped the solenoid leads and it fired up.
I'm completely stumped, because it looks like I might have a short running to my starter from my ignition switch. However, if that is the case then why will the accessories not turn on. Also, why would jumping it using jumper cables fix this problem, if the battery is already fully charged and the cables have a good connection.
I could use some serious help if there is anyone out there who knows the electrical systems on this jeep better than I do.
Thanks in advance.
I have a very perplexing electrical problem and need some help. I should start out by saying that I am not a novice (worked at a U-Haul repair center for 6 years and have mechanical engineering degree), but this problem is something that I have never seen before.
I have a 95 YJ with the 2.5 and 5 speed. It has 125,000 miles and I don't think came equipped with any extras (A/C) and it essentially bone stock except for some bfg A/T tires.
About a week and half before this problem started, my battery died when I left the light on all night. It had been in there for 4 years and had finally bit the dust, so I replaced it.
Like I said, a week and half goes by and I go to crank the jeep and it has no power at all. No power to any of the accessories and will not even attempt to crank, not even click.
I had to get to work, so I threw some jumper cables on there and it cranked. I have about an hour drive to work, which should be enough to at least partially charge the battery. To test this, when I got to work I turned off the vehicle and immediately without waiting a second tried to crank it back up. It still acted as if it had a stone cold dead battery. Not even a click to try and turn the motor and the accessories would still not come one. No headlights, brakelights, reverse lights at all.
Jumped it again to get home. I noticed on the ride that it was charging a little high. Around 15 or 16 volts according to my gauge. Not quite in the redline area.
Get home and start testing:
Took the battery completely out of the Jeep and according to my multimeter, it is fully charged.
Pu the battery back in the Jeep and according to my multimeter, it is getting a full 12 volts at the starter.
I tested both of the battery cables downstream to ensure that the cable were well connected. They tested fine.
I pulled off the alternator and took it to Autozone (I did not think this was the issue, but I just wanted to check) and it tested as being in perfect condition.
I took off the dash and removed the ignition switch. It was receiving power and all of the proper outgoing wires got good signal at the right times when I cycled through the ignition.
Went back to the starter. With the help of a friend, tested the remote ignition wire coming into the starter solenoid. I did not get any power when he tried to crank it by cycling the ignition switch. I then took a screw driver and jumped the solenoid leads and it fired up.
I'm completely stumped, because it looks like I might have a short running to my starter from my ignition switch. However, if that is the case then why will the accessories not turn on. Also, why would jumping it using jumper cables fix this problem, if the battery is already fully charged and the cables have a good connection.
I could use some serious help if there is anyone out there who knows the electrical systems on this jeep better than I do.
Thanks in advance.