Battery charged but no power

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Jan 26, 2019 | 10:20 AM

Alanna

Thread Starter

Newbie

Joined: Jan 2019

Posts: 1

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Model: Cherokee (XJ)

Battery charged but no power

99 Cherokee. The battery is charged. Lights and accessories work. I try to start the engine, the starter and engine do nothing. But everything else immediately loses power. The gauges (fuel and battery) that moved up when I turned the key immediately fall. The lights no longer work. Power locks don’t work. Everything stays unpowered for a while. Eventually lights and accessories work again. If I try to start the engine again, this cycle repeats itself. What’s going on?

Last edited by Alanna; Jan 26, 2019 at 10:45 AM.

Jan 26, 2019 | 11:03 AM

RocketMouse

CF Veteran

Joined: Nov 2017

Posts: 2,478

Likes: 275

From: Southern Texas (former AZ & Aus)

Year: 1999

Model: Cherokee(XJ)

Engine: I6 4.0L

Do you even hear a clicking sound when attempting to start the Jeep? You may have a completely dead starter. I would first look at the connections. If you have the I6 4.0L engine, it is on the passenger side below and further back towards the firewall (at the flywheel obviously).
You might also check to make sure your ignition to make sure it's not the cause. Last year I had to replace the original worn ignition switch in my 99 xj last year.

Jan 26, 2019 | 03:20 PM

jordan96xj

CF Veteran

Joined: Dec 2015

Posts: 2,139

Likes: 93

From: Syracuse, NY

Year: 1996

Model: Cherokee (XJ)

Engine: 4.0L

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alanna

The one and only time I had that unique symptom (just as you described) it was a loose terminal clamp at the battery negative post. If you can move them by hand at all, they are too loose. When the amperage of the starter hits them, they can literally scoot up the post and disconnect. So I would start by checking your connections, making sure things are clean and tight.