peep

2002 WJ 4.0L Laredo, 360000km, blue, 4x4, cigarette lighter? Yes. 4 tires? Yes There covered all the pertinent data for the parts counter guys.
What about the real Jeep guys?
-14deg C 7:00am
Wife in morning.
No power at all, zero, dash dead, no action from key.
Calls meon phone, we try together, key on, power on dash, but zero crank.
12 hr later, I come home from work, light working, key on, starts right up.
5 min later dash light, fuel pump, lights etc. Turn key, all goes black.
5 min later all dash lite up with key, turns over, starts, all is good.
Turn off, Turn on, all dead again.
Check battery, load test 10+ seconds, reads 800cca, no problem, bat is good.
Turn key on, all goes black.
5 min later, all starts.
Turn off, turn back on, all dash light, no crank.
Some clicking sounds from behind radio area of dash.
Turn off, turn back on, black, no electrical at all, zero.
Put on charge, pulling only 1 amp. Bat is Oct 2014, 850cca rated.
Wait 1/2 hr.
Turn on, all goes black.
Turn off, count to 10
Turn on, starts right up.
turn off, turn on, starts right up,
Drive around the driveway,
Turn off, turn on, starts right up.
WTF?, turn key on X3, NO CODES. WTF?
Why would there be absolutely zero power and no action from the key one moment, then a few minutes later, no problem at all?
Any suggestions?

peep

Voltage at battery, 12.81V engine off, 14.38-14.54V running

dave1123

You may have an intermittent ignition switch. When the dash goes black, do the headlights and horn still work? Headlights, brakelights, and horn are still hot without a key. Interior courtesy lights are too, now that I think of it. If not, we'll have to go deeper into this pig!

peep

Thank you Dave, I'll have to check the horn and lights and such tonight.
I plan to clean up both terminals at the battery and insure good ground onto the engine block and body.
Will update with more data.
Ignition switch is a good suspect.
Hope to find the problem so others can know for the future.

dave1123

Be sure to check the battery cable clamps for corrosion where they are molded to the cables themselves. I had a problem with that myself. They looked good, but there was some white powder on the small wire that goes to the PDC (fuse/relay box under the hood). That wire supplies everything except the starter. I replaced both clamps with bolt-on repair ends and haven't had problems since.

peep

Last evening the WJ started, no problems, 3X.
Damned if it ain't broke how do you know what to fix?
Just keep fixing till you break something.
So I replaced the -ve bat connector with a new one. Had also put a bolt on type on in past.
Yes there was white crystals and powder present. All cleaned thoroughly.
Coated all surfaces during assembly with high copper content anti seize (use it in the spot welder tips at work).
So the -ve terminal at the battery is good. Restarted 2 more times, no problem.
Would have continued fixing till I broke something but wife called me for dinner.
Will continue additional investigations into the week end.
I suggested to wife we drive it thru the weekend to see if it tanks. She said I could drive it and she would meet me in town with her car.
Some good did come of this. She drove the black ZJ to work. It started her day as a piece of ****e, but by end of day, she was more impressed by the ZJ. Other than it stinks of dog.
I am beginning to think this whole event is a diabolical plot to take over my ZJ.
Sorry no pics this time.