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Really cold. Wont start and...

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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 11:14 AM
  #1  
Crimmy's Avatar
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From: Portland, OR
Year: 89
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Default Really cold. Wont start and...

So im in the midwest and just got hit by the blizzard yesterday. Its -36 and i think my battery has gone dead from the cold. INstead of its normal RRR RR RR from turning the key its now CHUUUUUUUUG......CHUUUUUGGGG really sluggish and delayed. Is it possible for a battery to freeze up and die? Is there anything i can do? =( Ive got to take a 1600 mile trip on the 13th i cant afford to replace a battery!

Also completely unrelated but i dont have a heater in my jeep so i got a cigar lighter plugin window defroster type dealy cuz if i turn the heater on in the jeep it literally blows snow in my jeep. Not exagerating. But it didnt work when i plugged it in so i took the cigar lighter out to check and see if it had a loose wire and i dropped it and it tugged the black and orange wire pretty hard. Ever since my stereo wont come on and my favorite cd is stuck in there! I figured i may have caused the 12v constant and the ground to connect but that wouldve taken out my dome lights like last time if it blew the fuse. Any ideas on this? Battery is more important though right now!
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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 06:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Crimmy
Is it possible for a battery to freeze up and die? Is there anything i can do? =( Ive got to take a 1600 mile trip on the 13th i cant afford to replace a battery!
No matter what your finances, if the battery tests bad (have it load tested at any parts store), it MUST be replaced. Find a way.............

Failure to do so could make your road trip end badly. Especially in the middle of winter.
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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 06:55 PM
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Year: 1989
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What kind of battery do you have? How old is it? What are the cold cranking amps?

Could be just too cold for your battery. Take it inside, let it warm up and then put it back in the Jeep.
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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 07:02 PM
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Load testing is the only accurate way of determining battery condition. And it's free anyplace that sells batteries.

So it is mandatory whenever a battery is suspect.
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Old Feb 3, 2011 | 12:08 AM
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I waited a few hours and gave it a try again just hoping. Jeep started up with no hesitation at all. The sun had come out and was shining on the hood but it was still -2. Weirdness. Ill just say the jeep didnt want my room mate in her. Thanks for your time guys. Any advice on the electrical issues?

Im not sure what brand the battery is. It was put in by a mechanic while other repairs were beind done to my starter. I couldnt remove the starter. Had tried for days so i said eff it and paid some ripoff artist to do it. But it is only about 4 months old.
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