Jeep Cherokee Forum - Here's a riddle...

What am I?

-- Always reliable quick start every morning, even down to 10F. Then, with no warning refuses to start. Has fuel but spark seems weak. I'm in a parking lot with no tools (dumb, I know). Quick Start fluid does not make any noticeable difference, Eventually have to jump it, but takes long sustained cranking with indications it's trying to start (some spark). On last attempt, because I didn't want to burn up the starter, it stumbles to life, and then runs great for 200+ mile ride home. Almost left stranded in Crested Butte, CO.

-- After starting, has ABS light illumited. Never before. Huh, WTF?

-- While driving, I notice every time I use the turn signal, the radio cuts out for a nano second.

-- I also notice when I step on the brake the radio does the same thing.

-- Thinking I may have a short in the steering column, I play with the stalk (not what you're thinking) and find that if I flash the high beams (with lights out) the car completely dies and then resumes. I only do this twice because at 60 MPH it gets a little dicey.

--Arriving home, car dies completely (electrical kill) while doing three-point turn in driveway. I start it up immediately, and now every symptom is completely gone. I had tried lock to lock turns prior to this to check for short and found none.

What am I ?

Sorry for the riddle, but I HATE electrical problems and spark chasing. Any chance it's a simple circuit to chase? The ABS part has me stumped.
Thanks :dunno:

I should add that the hard start and the electrical problem MAY not necessarily be related, although they did happen at the same time. I was thinking CPS for the hard start, but a short may have limited the available spark voltage, and I overcame that through the long cranks.