Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

What's draining my battery?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 18, 2012 | 02:59 AM
  #1  
pengoswede's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Stockholm, Sweden
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
Default What's draining my battery?

Ok, the Jeep hasn't moved much last couple of weeks but always started.
Yesterday it was drained, more or less. After a 24hrs on the charger all was fine, but drained (2V) this morning. Battery is quite new.

When I hooked it up charged I could hear a hiss on the passengers side firewall..

So, anybody know what is coming on when a new battery is hooked up? Stereo? Fan? Feels like something is switched on automatitically.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2012 | 03:26 AM
  #2  
DFlintstone's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
Default

For starters, you don't want to hammer your battery like that...Disconnect it overnight until you figure it out. Don't make sparks around it, especially charging. The fan is there. It should not get power when it's off. It has a fuse you could pull. On my 90 (ign on), the fan will stay on supper low unless all the air controls are moved to the left.

Pulling fuses might find it.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2012 | 05:23 AM
  #3  
pengoswede's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Stockholm, Sweden
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
Default

Yeah I usually disconnect if for longer periods but it was still a surprise.

I'll look around.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2012 | 06:14 AM
  #4  
redjeep1983's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Default

Good way to find prob is disconnect the ground, put a test light between the lead and post. If there is a draw the light should be on. (By the way make sure the hood light is disconnected if you have one and the fuse for dome light is pulled before you start, because the light will come on if the hood or dome light is on). If light is on, start pulling fuses till light goes out. when it does then that is the circuit to investigate for shorts.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2012 | 06:19 AM
  #5  
redjeep1983's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Default

Also check hood light (if you have one), make sure it turns off when held in horizontal position as if hood is closed.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2012 | 08:39 AM
  #6  
RTorrez1's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 4
From: Riviera, Texas
Year: 1998 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by redjeep1983
Also check hood light (if you have one), make sure it turns off when held in horizontal position as if hood is closed.
I had this problem on my 95 XJ. So I disconnected the hood light and it stopped draining the battery.
Hope it's that simple for you.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2012 | 03:04 AM
  #7  
redjeep1983's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Default

Same here
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2012 | 04:13 AM
  #8  
freegdr's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
Default

Originally Posted by redjeep1983
Good way to find prob is disconnect the ground, put a test light between the lead and post. If there is a draw the light should be on. (By the way make sure the hood light is disconnected if you have one and the fuse for dome light is pulled before you start, because the light will come on if the hood or dome light is on). If light is on, start pulling fuses till light goes out. when it does then that is the circuit to investigate for shorts.
this ...you will have a very small draw from clocks if theres one
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2012 | 07:01 AM
  #9  
redjeep1983's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Default

True enough, however the clock most likely draw enough to light up the test light. What ever is draining the battery will illuminate the bulb somewhat brightly.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2012 | 07:03 AM
  #10  
redjeep1983's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Default

Edit: clock doesn't draw enough to light up test light brightly, what is draining battery will be somewhat bright.
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2012 | 02:27 PM
  #11  
pengoswede's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Stockholm, Sweden
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
Default

Update:

Hood light is ok, turns off.

Fan is slighly on, so it pull it left, should be ok hopefully.

Picked up something in the car late evening and noticed the boot light and passenger foot light won't go off..wasn't on when I unlocked the first time. For how long should the light be on after locked?

I fixed a door hinge on left backdoor, did I f*ck up something?

Last edited by pengoswede; Apr 23, 2012 at 02:40 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2012 | 05:55 PM
  #12  
Solomon7's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Portland OR
Year: 96
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4 liter
Default

Shouldn't be on when door is closed.
May try screwing out and adjusting the switches a bit on the frame side of the door for the boot lamps.
They may not be closing fully without slamming door closed.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
chrispl57
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
11
Sep 30, 2015 08:13 AM
Crazynut1997
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
15
Sep 29, 2015 08:14 PM
AggieNiebs
Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here!
8
Sep 29, 2015 01:50 PM
villamagna71
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
2
Sep 28, 2015 12:05 PM
soocom1
Cherokee Chat
6
Sep 26, 2015 02:24 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:39 AM.