You know, I really think my Jeep is purposely being stubborn. I got my brake and suspension woes handled but now something new!

Problem: I had my car on jack stands for just shy of 72 hours and it wouldn't start after. My battery was very low, it seemed, so I left it trickle-charging at the AutoZone and they told me it was good. Hooked it back up and all seemed good. Dash gauge read the battery strong. Drove it around town a bit yesterday with no issues and this morning took it out to a self car wash to brighten her up a bit.

I'm off to work and here's where it got interesting. I open the car with my key (locks open strong), sit and put the key in the ignition. I have a habit of always doing a half turn to get the electronics settled for a second and then crank the engine. I got juice for ONE second after the half turn then EVERYTHING died. I had ZERO juice in the entire car. Nothing. Zip, haha. As if the battery was disconnected.

I'm so lost. What gives? Battery is fine. If the alternator, wouldn't the car crank fine but just not retain power after a few mins running? Starter? If starter I would get power everywhere just no crank, right?

I'm not too hip to auto electronics but a friend mentioned checking the relays. Any who, any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks for reading guys.

 

Blown Fuse? Check near the battery all the fuses under that panel. the relays will be found under there too. use the Horn relay to swap out with the starter/ ignition relay (the horn is not essential for the operation of the car so I use it to test with) if all good check the fuse panel inside ( see your operator manual for locations and fuse descriptions...)
Have fun!

 

Crap. I just realized the last thing I did before this was wash the car. Water must have got somewhere.

 

Check the battery connections.

 

Color me embarrassed. After 30 mins of checking my fuses, relays, connection b/w battery and alternator... I wiggle the battery connections. Loose. Gosh, haha. Thanks guys.

 

if the alt isn't working car wil operate normally off batt. till dead. you sound like bad ground strat witch connections at batt. and body