XJ Battery charging system
Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: Grove City, Ohio
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
If you put a new battery in it and it still seems to turn over slow check your starter, mine did the same thing, drove it for about 30 miles turned it off and it would not start had to jump it. I checked the battery and it was a little over 13 volts, replaced the starter and have not had a problem since.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Year: '92
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Hey Wahoo,
She did that a few times but it was the term connectors.
By itself had the dreaded click- click-click-click after that ( already had new conns on)
I just did a jump test and she started just fine. And prior to today it would start slow crank, sometimes a decent crank.
Cold morning here 14 deg and she cranked super slow barely started.
Last read on Batt today was 12.46 V w/ no connections on it.
Hopefully we have exhausted all possibilities at this point .
She did that a few times but it was the term connectors.
By itself had the dreaded click- click-click-click after that ( already had new conns on)
I just did a jump test and she started just fine. And prior to today it would start slow crank, sometimes a decent crank.
Cold morning here 14 deg and she cranked super slow barely started.
Last read on Batt today was 12.46 V w/ no connections on it.
Hopefully we have exhausted all possibilities at this point .
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 12,367
Likes: 23
From: Oroville, CA
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter
A static voltage of 12.4v does not mean squat. You have to see what the voltage drops down to when cranking the engine. Under 9.6volts is junk and should be replaced. I've pulled batteries fresh off the charger and showing 13 volts, but drop down to 7 volts under a 200 amp load.
CF Veteran




Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,840
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
What is brand new? You don't mention that you actually replaced the battery.
If you didn't, you MUST load test your current one.
And if you either have a new battery in there or a load tested one, then you have a charging system problem; usually the alternator.
If you didn't, you MUST load test your current one.
And if you either have a new battery in there or a load tested one, then you have a charging system problem; usually the alternator.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
if you want to save batteries, just buy a block heater and plug it when it really cold ( -30 celcius like here in Gatineau ). We deal with this 4 months out of the year. People here replace batteries like crazy. When its cold, plug the jeep. Buy a batterie load tester at wal-mart. Do a load test.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Year: '92
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
OP Updated
Went out and bought a Super Start Extreme ( O'Reilly/ Checker) grp34 810 CCA 1000 CA battery.It's made by Johnson Control. $ 100.
Fit it in real snug, no clearance issues and she fired right up and so far it cranks like no tomorrow and starts as it should.
I think problem is solved.
Could not splurge for the AGM model that they had, apparently made by Deka ? Looks like a real nice battery though at $ 135 .
Block heater options sound great but isn't the battery also suffering due to the cold ?
Went out and bought a Super Start Extreme ( O'Reilly/ Checker) grp34 810 CCA 1000 CA battery.It's made by Johnson Control. $ 100.
Fit it in real snug, no clearance issues and she fired right up and so far it cranks like no tomorrow and starts as it should.
I think problem is solved.
Could not splurge for the AGM model that they had, apparently made by Deka ? Looks like a real nice battery though at $ 135 .
Block heater options sound great but isn't the battery also suffering due to the cold ?
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
block heater saves batteries and starters from forcing to hard. Its hard to turn over a frozen block and fluid. Here in Ottawa Everyone has a block heater and our batteries last up to 10 years.
Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Rochester NY
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
Yea, ran the same course last month, cranking was slow and sometimes almost did not start. Checked the battery, starting and alternater with shop analizer and everything came up good. After a week the hard starting was poping up again. Went out and picked up a new battery. After installing, it seemed no better. Went though my auto folder and found the old battery was only 1 year old (already replaced it). Took the new battery back to Sams club and put the old one back in. Re-traced everything back and figured it had to be the Starter. Was the original with 143,000 and 14 years old. Replaced starter and now starts even in 2 degree temperatures.
A few things I have found working part time at Sears Auto center, Do not replace terminals with those painted (Red/Black) terminals, paint is sprayed on the terminal contact surfaces and nobody cleans them first.
If the vehicle starts all the time and now clicks, check the terminals for corrosion on the posts. Have cleaned many a terminal and the vehicles start fine after that.
Always have the battery checked on an analizier, before condeming it, replaced quite a few as demanded by customer, checked the battery afterward and the battery was still good, now scraped. Also checked them before replacing and saved many customers the cost of a battery. Only needed the terminals cleaned and tightened.
A few things I have found working part time at Sears Auto center, Do not replace terminals with those painted (Red/Black) terminals, paint is sprayed on the terminal contact surfaces and nobody cleans them first.
If the vehicle starts all the time and now clicks, check the terminals for corrosion on the posts. Have cleaned many a terminal and the vehicles start fine after that.
Always have the battery checked on an analizier, before condeming it, replaced quite a few as demanded by customer, checked the battery afterward and the battery was still good, now scraped. Also checked them before replacing and saved many customers the cost of a battery. Only needed the terminals cleaned and tightened.
Last edited by Bigclubs; Mar 2, 2011 at 05:48 PM.
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