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Battery keeps dying

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Old Sep 17, 2011 | 11:29 PM
  #1  
Derp's Avatar
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From: Houston, TX
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Default Battery keeps dying

My battery keeps dying for some reason.

When it's fully charged I put the key in the ignition and turn it on and the battery gauge sits on 9 and can barely power anything, and then I start the jeep and the gauge shoots up to 14 and everything works fine. Then If I don't start it for a few days it will die again.

Do you think I have a short somewhere, or a bad ground?

Should I replace my alternator?
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Old Sep 17, 2011 | 11:32 PM
  #2  
popcancherokee's Avatar
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From: Tacoma Washington
Year: 1988-1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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Originally Posted by Derp
My battery keeps dying for some reason.

When it's fully charged I put the key in the ignition and turn it on and the battery gauge sits on 9 and can barely power anything, and then I start the jeep and the gauge shoots up to 14 and everything works fine. Then If I don't start it for a few days it will die again.

Do you think I have a short somewhere, or a bad ground?

Should I replace my alternator?
Sounds like a bad battery...Get the battery tested and go from their...Even a new battery can be bad.
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Old Sep 17, 2011 | 11:34 PM
  #3  
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From: B-town sc
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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i doubt it is the same problem, but when i bought mine it had a power drain issue. turns out the little light in the glove box had a screw missing so it wouldnt turn off when the box was closed.
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Old Sep 17, 2011 | 11:59 PM
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From: Covington, WA.
Year: 1995
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I would have the battery checked 1st.....sounds like a shorted cell to me
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Old Sep 18, 2011 | 01:15 AM
  #5  
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Year: 2001
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I go for the battery also
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Old Sep 18, 2011 | 01:21 AM
  #6  
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From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
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Engine: 4.0,2.5
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You could try leaving the battery disconnected. Then if it drops it's the battery. Also those cheap meters have a decent amp meter. You could measure the drain on the battery with everything off. Around $5 at harbor freight I think.
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Old Sep 18, 2011 | 07:51 AM
  #7  
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From: Covington, WA.
Year: 1995
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X2
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Old Sep 21, 2011 | 01:20 PM
  #8  
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X3 on having the battery tested. Just replaced a friends with an autozoos and his wouldn't start after a couple of months. Took it back and had it load tested and it was bad. Replaced it and it has been working fine ever since.

Another thing you can do is an Ignition-Off Draw test (IOD)...
Normally vehicle should only draw about 5mA - 25mA with everything off
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