Hello,

I am new to the forum and I have an issue I hope someone can help me with.

I have a '97 Cherokee with 210,000 miles... just breaking in. I replaced the battery 3 days ago, went away on a trip, then today when I returned and started it, all power shut down... like a circuit breaker tripping. After about 3 mins, everything came back to life. I am showing over 12.5V on the battery, and everything works when the key is in the ACC position. However, when I try to start it, there is a very quick "click" like the starter is trying to engage and then everything shuts off. Wait 3 mins and it's all back. Can't get it to really turn at all. Could I be looking at a computer or Voltage Regulator issue or something? This one has me stumped. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Chad H.
Nashville, TN

 

this happend to my jeep a while ago...

try to clean the battery terminals and cut and re-thread the wires back in...

 

Well, the battery is new and I have perfectly clean contacts and there is no corrosion on what little wire is exposed next to the fasteners. As I mentioned, before you try to start it, everything electrical works great. It's not until you try to start it that immediately shuts down for about 3 mins and then restores. Very odd.

Chad H.
Nashville, TN

 

Go at it with a mulitimeter and test light working from where you put in the key and if you dont get close to 12V theres some resistance in the line if this is the case work back to the battery
Good luck

 

With 200K on clock, may be a good idea to give it new battery cables.

Does sound like a terminal (battery terminal) issue.

 

Check the starter as well it has a solinoid that can be bad too. AZ or O'Reilley's will test it for free if you take it to them.

 

I had the same thing happen to me - i had to replace the ignition switch thing - little white plastic piece covered with contracts - it was shorting out - it was under the stearing column.

 

test the starter like blue says,, ok, go under your jeep, and find the starter,, give it a few hard hits with something, and then try to turn it,, if it turns then its the starter, if not well that still can be the starter, or some bad wires.. but I think it will probably the starter,, mine died at about 118k miles..

 

Belto,

I am afraid you may be right. I am going to try that this afternoon and I'll post my results. Perhaps it was just coincidence that the onset of the problem began when I replaced the battery.

The thing I still don't understand is why the power shuts down and restores after about 3 mins. Is the computer causing the protect?

Chad

 

bc its pulling electricity from the bat to try and move the starter, and then the bat recharges or relaxes and works again

 

Ok... looks like problem solved.

Even though I have good voltage on the new battery, I jumpered it with my van and it turned right away, although it would not continue to run at idle when the jumper cables were removed. So I returned the battery to the store and while they were testing the battery, fluid starting shooting from the caps in the top. Not a good sign.

Went from an Energizer battery to a Bosch. So far the Bosch has worked fine.

Thanks for all your input. I really never suspected the new battery, but I'm glad it was that easy.

Chad H.
Nashville, TN

 

I'm just glad you solved it. Just keep in mind that everything, new or not, can be faulty.

 

good to know you got it fix