Russ Blazer

Son called said car wouldn't start after driving 30 miles and stopping. Said he saw the battery gage drop while driving and radio went wonkey. Then he shut off and couldn't start.

Towed back to house thinking I would need to replace the alternator. When I opened up the hood this is what I saw:

Bracket which secures the battery had broken loose and the end of it was pushed against the positive terminal. SEE PICS OF BRACKET.

The white/yellowish stuff on the braket looks like the same dust that comes off an old battery terminal.

Tried to jump the battery and no luck.

Should I just take battery in and try to recharge.

4.3L XJ

When batteries discharge like that it can fry them. I would take the battery and alternator in to have them tested and go from there.

gat

I always prefer to start by charging it outside overnight.

Russ Blazer

So I connected a charged battery and ran vehicle... same problem came back up - vehicle drove for about 5 min then battery gage dropped and check engine light came on.

Then I replaced the alternator and ran vehicle ... same problem came back up - vehicle drove for about 5 min then battery gage dropped and check engine light came on.

Must have fried something else.

What are my next trouble shooting steps after battery and alternator?

I have a multimeter.

4.3L XJ

So, what is the voltage on the battery now?

Russ Blazer

12.07

4.3L XJ

I still think you need to get that battery load tested. Free in most auto part stores

gat

What are the Ohms from the positive terminal to the terminals at the starter? What are the Ohms from the negative terminal to the bolt/nut at the block? I recommend measuring from the bolts/nuts to the posts because that should give the most actual resistance that the vehicle might be experiencing.

Russ Blazer

I have 2 cherokees. I just warranty replaced a battery with a bad cell and now I have a brand new one. The one I was running when I wrote this with 12.07 V tested out ok... still good. Has 33% charge.

Should I put the new one on and see if that is a fix?

Or is this just step one for testing?

Thanks!!!!!!!!!

Russ Blazer

Will do this now.

Thanks!

Russ Blazer

I metered the new battery cold-non running: 12.65V
I started the vehicle and it metered at 12.19V.
Shut off and after a few min battery metered at 12.56V

Russ Blazer

Ohms from the positive terminal to the terminals at the starter? .001

Ohms from the negative terminal to the bolt/nut at the block? .000

This is the first time I have ever used my multimeter. It read OL unit I kind of scratched the leads through the oil and the rust. Then I let it rest and it actually provided feedback. If these numbers don't make sense, let me know and I will do a better job of collecting the data.

4.3L XJ

Yes, swap batteries and see what happens

Russ Blazer

I metered the new battery cold-non running: 12.65V
I started the vehicle and it metered at 12.19V.
Shut off and after a few min battery metered at 12.56V

4.3L XJ

Which vehicle is this in?