Hi,

My jeep just died, and I’m not having any luck finding the solution. I’m in a hurry to get some quick advice, as I’m now stranded and need to move ASAP.

I went out to the Jeep a while ago, and tried to start it. I put the key in and turned it to run - the radio and heater fan came on. Then I turned the key to “start,” I heard the solenoid click on, but at that moment, everything electrical immediately stopped working. it all just clicked off like someone flipped a switch. Radio, dome light, headlights, gauges - all completely and totally without any power at all. The engine won't crank at all.

The battery is good, fairly new, and currently showing 12 volts on my multimeter. But, no power is getting to the jeep. I checked the battery terminals, and they look good and solid.

10 minutes later, as I was sitting in the car trying to think of what to do next, all the power mysteriously clicked back on! The dash gauge even said the battery had full power.

So, I tried again to start it up, and the same thing happened: instant failure. Now it’s staying dead.

I’ve tried pulling on all the wires, and checking fuses - nothing so far. Tried starting in neutral without success. The jeep ran great yesterday, and hasn’t had any signs of problems lately. Can anyone tell me where to start looking next?




1994 Cherokee Sport. 4.0. AW4 Totally stock.

 

I would say get your battery load tested and clean all the grounds really good.

 

Sounds like your battery is no good.

 

Clean and tighten all battery connections and grounds...terminal connections and at the fender next to the battery. Mine does the same thing, turn key everything shuts down. Every time its my amp positive wire coming loose at the positive battery terminal, signs of electrical arching is usually present too. Doubt your battery is bad...

 

check your battery cables. sounds like one is corroded somewhere. look for splitting or bulging of the cable.

is your connectors clean or is there signs of green corrosion at the battery terminals?

 

Can someone let me know if this is an important clue?

I just started looking around under the hood. I set the key to run, and checked the connection on the wires & ground straps. The battery is good, but there is still no power to anything in the truck. Nothing happens when I turn it on - starter won't click, and even the horn is dead.


After about ten minutes with the key set to on, I noticed that the positive terminal on the battery had become extremely hot. I assume that means something is shorting out, but I don't know what is causing this, or where else to look. Any ideas?

Thanks,
G

 

After turning the key back to the off position, it's cooled back down again.

 

 

Clean the fricken battery connections. That's normal maintenance stuff.