Hey guys, so basically I have had my 91 Laredo for a while and back in October 2014 it was stolen. Someone shoved a flathead in the ignition and had merry time until it was returned 48 hours later. I've had some strange issues since then. But right now I'm in the hole. My car wasn't starting and no lights coming on no clicking from the starter nothing. And I felt like the battery lost its charge maybe. I left my lights on accidentally all night recently prior but did a jump charge from a friend and all was well.

This time though, it did come on and start after letting it sit connected for about 20 minutes. Then as I was disconnecting the jumper cables from my friends car, the nodes touched accidentally and sparked and my car just shut off completely. And now I get no lights, no starter clicks, no power whatsoever. But I am getting a proper 12.6 from my battery on my meter.

Did I short my ignition coil with that contact? Did I blow a fuse? If so which fuse do I need to replace? I'm at a loss and my freaking drivers side window is rolled down and after my theft I am incredibly paranoid about someone getting in through there and taking whatever is in my jeep. Help me out guys, please!

 

Take battery out and have it checked ....step 1

 

Step 2 check fuses for sure

 

Fuses and battery is fine. However while I was checking the fuses and putting them back, I went into the car to get something and the cab lights came on but after trying to start it I got one click and all the lights went out again.

 

Did you get the battery load tested? I'd also go over your battery cables with a fine toothed comb. Look for loose or corroded connections, and I'd suggest checking the resistance in the cables to make sure corrosion isn't eating them from the inside. Make sure all your connections are tight and refresh all your grounds.

 

Suddenly and inexplicably after popping a few fuses out and putting them back in (they were all fine), the car is starting. I don't know how long it'll last though.

 

Yup. Got it to start several times but didn't drive anywhere . Drove it out once last night and tried to go somewhere today, starting it made a single click and now no power to the entire car.

 

It's easy to get channeled on something then miss what's going on. Magicians use that all the time. I've gotten tricked enough times! Maybe it's completely unrelated to the theft.

Maybe go ahead and rule out>>>>>

Battery gasses have a nasty habit of helping a thin, hard crust form on the bat post's and clamps. They can look pretty good, but that micro-thin layer is a surprisingly good insulator. SHINNY! Lead is what you want. I use a pocket knife, (gently), for the insides of the clamps. For the posts I might use one of those post cleaner wire brushes, but still scrape it with a blade. If you have a condition where you have power, (dash lights ect.), then when you hit it power goes out altogether, that's a common result of a layer of oxidization there. Btw, a half *** connection could be expected to get hot during cranking, or while it's trying. Cleaning those is something to do now and then anyway, so if you are having starting problems, you might want to make sure you have bare lead on lead. Might save you some grief!

 

Check the terminals them selves make sure there not loose and the keep a door open and play with both your pos and negative until you feel it has good connection and try starting I just had this happen on my 95 cherokee

 

I second the vote for battery cable ends. If they can move back and forth at all you have a bad connection. Clean them and tighten them like your detailing it up and try again.