[gnu2308]

This is getting frustrating. I love my Jeep, but I have almost had it with the problems, its getting close to not being worth it.

Ok, here is my problem this morning. I go out to the Jeep and turn the key, dashboard lights come on but it doesn't turn over. I check all the light switches and what not and nothing had been left on. The radio presets were reset, so it lost power somewhere along the line... but both the lights and the windshield wipers seem to be functioning normally. If the battery was low, the wipers would usually be sluggish, not the case.

I had a problem 2 months ago with the ignition switch, so my second thought is its the ignition switch again. My neighbor comes over and we try to jump start it. It struggles but starts, even though it is running it doesnt seem like it wants to keep running. I let off the gas and it starts to die, so I give it gas and it keeps running. Atleast that eliminates the ignition switch.

So basically, it will start if I jump start it, but will not keep running. If I turn the key all the way to the on position and leave it, the dashboard lights flicker and the beeping noise is irregular.

Any help?

 

[Odhinn]

Without seeing it in person my first answer would be a dead/shorted cell in the battery.

We had to replace levinoss' battery about a month ago for the same reason.

 

[Levinoss]

Without seeing it in person my first answer would be a dead/shorted cell in the battery.

We had to replace levinoss' battery about a month ago for the same reason.

Yea, I was thinking the same thing but like odhinn said without seeing it in person.

~Lev

 

[smartassjeepguy]

hmmmm..

first id check the bat. termenals to make sure they arent corroded or needs a good twist and to be tightend. but to me sounds like you need to get your alternator checked. you can check it yourself by leaving the jumper cables hooked up and see if it will idle. if it does idle unhook the positive jumper from the jeep if it dies meens you need to take your alternator to be checked. look to spend around 140 biguns to get a new one unless you have a place where you live to rebuild your old one. hope it helps if not let me know what happins and we will go from there. dont let it bum ya out i cant count the times i said f*** this damn jeep im selling it but you and i both know once a jeeper always a jeeper

 

[my98tj]

x2 on the alternator. i got mine from autozone for $110. that included the trade in core.

 

[4Jeepn]

battery

 

[MOz]

Roger on smartass' comment. Check your battery terminals, recharge and retest. If you can get your hands on a spare battery, use it to test. If the engine shuts off during this test, I'd say it's the alternator for sure.

 

[hutchman]

Get yourself a digital volt meter from somewhere, Harbor Freight is fine. Start your engine with the jumper battery and check the voltage across the + and - terminals of your battery with your Jeep running on its own. It should read somewhere from 13.8 - 14.2 volts. That's what a normal 12 volt system should indicate when operating.

If it reads 12 volts or less, you need an alternator. If it reads normal voltage, 13.8 - 14.2, it is a battery problem.

Hutch

 

[gnu2308]

I put a new battery in, it is working fine.

Thanks for your help.

 

[cnt487]

Better yet, won't AutoZone check the battery and alternator for free???

EDIT: Oh, for some reason I didn't see that you fixed the problem, but remember for future reference, AutoZone!!!!!

 

[Levinoss]

Better yet, won't AutoZone check the battery and alternator for free???

Yup

~Lev

 

[smartassjeepguy]

new battery ?

after new battery did you pull the possitive to see if it stays running cause a hot battery will run jeep for awile till voltage drops enough to shut it down again.

 

[Odhinn]

If you need to check your alternator I would take it to a shop (usually free) or to autozone (always free). I have seen people fry their computers pulling the bat cable while the vehicle is running. One I remember in particular (because of the language I heard from him) was a guy in a corvette that was in to big of a hurry to wait for our General service tech and decided to pull the bat cable to check it himself. While the smoke was clearing from under the dash he ran over and asked for a fire extinguisher. The Permatech (guy that worked there so long he was attached to the shop) mumbled something like, "You don't need a fire extinguisher, but you do need a taxi."
Instead of just needing a Battery (turned out all that was wrong at first) he also needed a new, dealer only, computer that ran about $500.00 at that time (if I remember correctly).

I Don't know if there is a good system in place on the wrangler to prevent a rogue voltage spike from frying everything but I am not taking the chance.

Just looking out for fellow jeepers and an FYI to use as you all see fit.

 

[MOz]

X2 Odhinn....can only do the cable removal procedure on pre-electonic ignition vehicles.

 

[Tj Bunch]

It's funny how us Old guys remember that trick and when you try it on newer car you kill something important and never forget NOT to do that again.....Also we just got a bulliten from GM about Harbor freight Fuses DO NOT USE THEM they had a 20amp fuse that the customer used and burned up his car so GM tested some and they held at a dead short across the a battery burned the test wires and never blew the fuse just get BUSS or littlefuse, Don't use Chinese fuses's.