I have a 96 ZJ Grand Cherokee. Something keeps draining my battery and cannot figure it out. Have had alternator checked 4 times while on the vehicle and they say it's fine. Have been told to take it off to get checked. I do know my factory alarm has acted goofy and just starts going off by itself sometimes with flashing the lights. Horn is disconnected. Interior lights act goofy so I've taken the fuse out. Not sure what the heck it is tho. Any ideas or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

 

Bingo. Excellent video.


It's time consuming, but pulling fuses one by one is the best way to narrow it down.

 

I think it's factory alarm system but not 100% sure. I now manually lock each door because if I lock with key fob there's been times the parking lights will be blinking for no reason. It's also an after market stereo as well. Never know what your going to get buying something from Craigslist. But I must say... It sure is fun in the mud!!

 

Easy problem to find and repair using that posted video and DVOM they are cheap and a must have item in any tool kit.

 

Get a multimeter and check fuses to see what's drawing power when vehicle is off. Could be a bad battery cell as well. Have you had the battery tested?

 

Ya lol. I'm on my 5th battery. Definitely not that. Going to get a multimeter and check fuses

 

Check fuses and see which one is drawing current while trucks off. That's where I would start at least.

 

Have you checked the Power Draw relay? It's inside of the engine fuse block panel and keeps memory for radio presets, seat memory, clock settings, and allows the lights and door locks to work, among other functions, when the key is out of the ignition. It draws power from the battery for those reasons... I had to pull mine from my old '94 ZJ when I wasn't going to be in it for an extended period of time, as it may have been a bad relay.

 

No I sure haven't checked it. It's an aftermarket stereo. I do notice when I take the faceplate off of it it has a red blinking light. Which means it's drawing power. Something for sure is pulling a lot. I will try all things you all have mentioned tho. Thanks!!

 

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Driver's door key switch on the back of the lock cylinder is broken in the unlock position, causes interior lights to stay on and the factory alarm wont set. This will not let the BCM 'go to sleep' or the alarm to set. If the bcm is not asleep, where it normally draws 14mA, it will instead draw like 80mA. Went through 2 batteries myself before I figured that out. Also, if the battery has been abused in this fashion enough, you will need a fresh one.