Ive got an outdated battery that is still working in my 01 Cherokee, but always takes forever to start from a cold dead start up. I'm still trying to diagnose it and was wondering if i upgraded to an Optimum battery what kind of results: good or bad would that cause? Ive read some don't use them bc they kill XJ's? Don't know about that but im interested to upgrade but not without proper Homework.

 

Don't know much about battery brands other than stay away from everstart. Does your jeep crank hard now when you start it up but just take awhile to catch or is it just a weak start?

 

do you by chance mean Optima batteries, otherwise you'd better tell us what an optimum is

 

First I must say I have never herd of a optima killing an XJ. 2nd if your problem is a weak start a optima battery will def help, knew a guy with a cammed 440 with a 60 over bore and a regular battery wouldnt even turn it over he got a optima and fired right up.

 

She will crank pretty well, hard sometimes..i dont hold the key down for to long because i try to let it catch. She will catch on the third try almost always...everyone is like "there something wrong with your rig?". I was wondering if the long start is a cherokee thing? I had a chevy before this truck and it started first try. I did mean optima batteris guys, sorry about that. If it doesnt kill the XJ than its worth a shot then?

 

My XJ I usally have to hang on the key about 2 maybe 3 secs at the most the only time I have to try twice is if I jump the gun and dont let the injectors do their job first. But if you have the $ I would def get the optima just bc 1 it could be the problem and 2 they are just all around a better battery but thats just my $.02
When I get the $ I will bet upgrading to a optima ASAP.

 

Thanks for the heads up, i was worried that it was a 01 XJ thing. Ive only had my XJ since August and already love it dropped approx 1500 dollars in it already and not afraid to drop more. I think i will upgrade when i get the money because it could solve the problem, but i've run them before on my chevy and they are excellent batteries. Thanks

 

I swear by yellow top optimas!

 

The Optima is a good battery and if you don't mind spending the extra money, why not? I've been using Interstate batteries for years and been satisfied with them. Either one should start your Jeep just fine.

 

Another thing with start-ups in jeeps and why it takes so long sometimes is the check valve in the fuel pump. I have the same issue right now where every time I start it up after its been sitting for over a half hour it will crank for 3-4 seconds (until the fuel pump reprimes the fuel line). If you shut it off and try starting it right back up it will fire instantly, that's how you know its the check valve.
I definently support good quality batteries though, they are never a bad decision

 

Mine was a slow starter before i went red top. Started faster/better, and odly enough, idled smoother.

 

have you upgraded your battery cables ?

 

Interstate MTP=Optima

 

i purchased a optima battery once and had some problems with it so when i brought it back to autozone the guy showed me that there duralast gold was pretty much the same. same cranking power and bout 50 bucks cheaper

 

all i use is optima. i have a yellow top in the xj and a red top in each of our tj's.
you want to get a high quality yellow top. there are a few different ones, believe it or not.
don't get your optima from wal-mart. those are the low end ones.
i got mine from offroad addiction in london ontario. good quality for running lights and winch.

you can mount an optima any way you want, on it's side, upside down. doesn't matter, it's a gel battery. you can even mount it inside the jeep.