Hey guys- we had our first below 0 temps and now my wifes xj is freaking out.

It is a 93xj, 4.0 manual. Does not have any significant problems but does have 220k on it

So all of this happened today, it did not happen before.

1.) temperature gauge is pinned (well past the red)

2.) Blinkers work while car is off, but not while its on.

3.) No interior lights come on.

4.) e-brake light comes on and off- brake is not being touched.

5.) several other small electric issues.

The engine is not overheating (happens at startup) and due to the other issues, I assume it is electrical. She is on her way home and I am going to check the ground (Battery/body) but what else can I check/could it be? Thank you!

 

Ian,


Get out the wiring diagram for the vehicle ( you have one right?)


next, check with a volt/ohmmeter all your grounds.


visually inspect that there is no WATER or MOISTURE in any part of the wiring harness in the engine compartment and under the LH (drivers side) kick panel and dash, check for any crimped or broken wires, funky looking connector (like really bad stress on wires eminating from connectors), etc etc.
more than likely you have either a open ground on a common circuit (related to all your symptoms) or....... something in Harness is shorting etc etc.


my two.5 cents worth.


Cheers!


cpnwrench

 

Thanks man. Ill do that- Weird thing though- We started it with the key that it came with (instead of the spare she was using today) and all the issues went away. I don't see how that has anything to do with it and assume the restart fixed it temporarily but we will see. I then shut it back off, cleaned the battery terminals and grounds, noticed the battery has started getting acid build up, and tightened the wires going to fuse box. It is running fine now.

The heater/cd player were also not working... I am going to replace the battery/terminals and then check the diagram to see if there is a common circuit between all of that.