Troubleshooting and need some ideas. Went to start the jeep a little bit ago and it wouldn't start. Interior lights, cd player all turn on but as soon as I try to turn it over I get a click and everything turns off. The lights etc. stay off for a min or two then come back on until the key is turned over again. Sometimes all the power stayed off until I messed with the terminals (terminals are brand new). Not sure if this actually helped, haha. Tried jumping with the same results. Bad ground? Bad alternator? Shorting out somewhere? No clue.

 

Start by cleaning all of the grounding points. Also have you battery load tested. It may have enough power to run the accessories but not enough to start it. If you are still have the same problems we can go from there.

 

I would say you either have a bad battery or a bad connection someplace. Charge the battery and have it tested at a parts store.

 

Did you happen to use the clamp-on terminals, clamping them on to corroded old wire?

 

Yes used clamp-on terminals but i exposed and cleaned up the wire. Everything looks really nice.

 

Having same problem with my cherokee. When i try to start it everything turns off. I unplug the negative cable and every thing goes back on. thing bad ground some where, have you found the problem with yours?

 

Mine is doing the same and it's definitely the neg battery terminal. Also the ground that jumps to the inner fender. Double check those connections

 

And it doesn't take much. Just slightly loose could cause it.

 

It cant hurt to check the connection on the starter as well. maker sure that is nice and clean too. its in the perfect spot to get crud all over it just from driving around and oil dripping on it too.