edward9

While driving down the road, my battery gauge maxs out all the way to the right at "19" and then the "check gauges" light comes on. When I get to my destination and turn the jeep off, it wont crank back on at all. No dash or interior lights or anything! I went and got my alternator and battery checked, they were more than ok. A buddy suggested maybe checking the opposite end of the ground from the battery? Any suggestions on how to do that or what else might be wrong with it? Thanks

offroadnut36

that sounds like whats happening to me, a guy i know told me the ground could be loose, id check that first

edward9

how and where do i check the ground?

offroadnut36

what year is your jeep?

edward9

01

MasterShakeXJ

to repeat myself haha; in my '01 the ground is to the left of the battery. its a small wire and a bolt that bolts onto the inside of the engine.

check to make sure its tight and that the connections are ok, check your terminals to make sure theyre not corroded.

BuckB91XJ

edward, Bro, from the sounds of it, you have got a VERY BAD short in one of your main battery cables. Start at the battery and closely inspect your cables clear to the other end. You positive cable will end at the starter and your negative cable will end at the grounding stud on the passenger side rear of your engine block.
We had a problem very similar to yours with my son's 87 XJ. When we traced his negative cable back to the grounding stud, we found it literally covered in goopy, oil, dirt sludge. When we cleaned it all away, we found the insulation was melted off for about 4-5 inches up the cable from the stud and the cable was only attatched by about 3-4 strands. we put new battery cables on it and BINGO!!! Worked like a champ.

offroadnut36

thats exactly what i just found in my jeep ^ and my lights work but it wont crank...i think its time for new cables