Hey all, I've had an intermittent starting problem. I'll put the key in, get full power reading, usual beeps. Then I turn the key and get that fighting to turn over noise. Then multiple tries result in complete electrical out (no radio, lights, or beeps).
I then shake the battery around and mess with the terminals and then I can jump in the jeep and it starts right up.
Problem seems to only happen on rainy days or after going through some big puddles on the trails.
Any thoughts?

 

I'm no expert but clean your terminals and grounds to the frame and the one everybody forgets the ground to the engine block underneath and if your battery is over three years old buy a Gold Di-Hard will start everytime..

 

^ good suggestion right here. Sounds like you have a dirty ground or terminal.

While you're at it, stop by your local auto parts store and ask to get your battery load tested. They'll do this for free and you'll know if it needs replacing or not.

 

Okay I'll make that my project today. I've never cleaned the grounds.
Anyone know how where they are on a 99? Also should I just clean exposed sections with dielectric grease then tape then up?

 

To find the grounds, just look at the cables at the battery posts and follow them and see where they go then you have your ground

I just woke up so I'm brainfarting but there is a product out there made to be put onto your grounds to protect them. And no, it's not dielectric grease. That's for electrical connections like sensors. Gimme a little time and I'll remember the product

 

Found the ground going to the wall. Haven't found the illusive engine ground though. Still curious about the best way to "clean" them

 

De-ox! I use it every day, can find it anywhere you can buy wire and wire nuts.

 

Cookie on a air tool? Works for grounding stereos.

 

I spent some time tracing all the negative wires and scraping away erosion and for a moment I got the low power noise when I turned the key. I then hooked it up to be jumped and only got clicks. Think it might be the alternator? The XJ is currently immobilized.

 

If you hear clicks that is either the starter solenoid on the fender wall
or your Battery or both, if your battery is over three years old get a new one, and putting a new starter solenoid on is not expensive.

 

check the condition of your battery cables. they could be corroded inside the sheath. just for the pure cost, i'd replace them for peace of mind.

 

While it wont hurt to check all your grounds, if you shake or wiggle the battery and it usually starts I will lay money that the problem is in the cables at the battery. Take them off the battery terminals and clean them and reinstall, make sure they are tight. Even if they look great that still may have corrosion inside as well. Once you get it running take it to your local parts store. They can test both your battery and alt.

 

Battery is about 5 months old, but my other XJ used to burn through batteries pretty quickly so I'll get it tested.
I didn't realize the corrosion could be inside the sheath. That may be the culprit bc they look terrible. I removed a lot of corrosion around the terminal, but I didn't open up the connectors. I'll replace those before anything else, especially since the screw broke in half when I was tightening them up.

 

Battery checked out good. I replaced the cable connectors and gave everything a good chemical cleaning. There's plenty of power in the electrical system, I am reminded of that when the alarm blares every time I reconnect the battery. I think the starter/ alternator is definitely the culprit. Couldn't help that its covered in oil.

 

In case someone with the same problem searches this thread...

Replaced the starter and the jeeps good to go. Based on easily it starts now, the old starter had been going bad for a while.