98xjeeper

Hello everyone,
Not sure if I'm posting this in the right section but here goes.
I've got an electrical gremlin.
In the last few weeks I noticed my garage opener doesn't work. I figured it was the battery so I changed it, nothing. So then I borrowed the wifes. Hers has always worked well so should be good. When I try to use it in my XJ same thing. I noticed that if I shut off my engine then the opener works flawlessly.
I can handle this to a point but I'm trying to tune my jeep and now I can't connect with any of my tuning devices.
I've done a fair bit of work to my jeep over the years and I'm not really all that good with electrical stuff but I can follow directions.
If someone could point me in some direction I just don't know what to look at.
Thank you

odgreen

It's not a gremlin you have its something is putting off radio interference. Any swr meter from an audio store should help you find the source

98xjeeper

K. I'll drop by some oreilly's and pick one up. Any sort of features or brand or whatever I should look for?

XJlimitedx99

Oreillys probably won't have one. Might have to order it. I've never seen a SWR meter that reads what's around it, only the ones for cb radios

Turbo X_J

SWR won't do it, you would need a grid dip meter, I've got one but have never used it. Probably just easier to just slap some new plug wires on it. You are not using a foot warmer on 27 mhz or anything are you?

odgreen

Grid dip! Thank you. I drew a blank when I was trying to remember it. Swr was all that came to mind.

98xjeeper

So you think the plug wires could do it?? This might sound dumb to you but one of the metal clips came off the end of one of the plug wires. I just popped it back together never thought any more of it. Would that do it?
And nope for the foot warmer, lol.

CCKen

You might try refreshing the radio noise suppression bonding strap connections at the firewall and at #14 cylinder head bolt.

See pic.

Remove the bolt at the firewall and clean the ring terminal using Sctoch-Brite pad and sandpaper the firewall face. Wire wheel the bolt or replace it with new. Reconnect securely

Verify the connection at the cylinder head bolt is free from corrosion and is secure. Clean, as above, if required.

salad

Yep. Ignition system is the main source of noise from these things. As Ken mentioned the bonding strap between block & firewall assists with supression but there's actually a fair bit of work that goes into engineering spark plug wires lol. If you're popping off clips its time for new ones anyway!

98xjeeper

Just wanted to give a quick update. I changed all the plug wires and presto! The garage door opener works every time. Thanks everyone for the quick replys and all the help.
Cheers