Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: phnguyen on January 30, 2012, 12:03:08 PM

Title: Jeep Won't Start
Post by: phnguyen on January 30, 2012, 12:03:08 PM
Hey, my jeep just suddenly died the other night while going to pick up a pizza. The pizza was delicious but now I'm having second thoughts about whether or not it was worth the untimely death of my daily driver. I called ama for a boost thinking that it was a battery issue and after a few attempts, we managed to get the vehicle running again. However, it the power (or possibly the battery) was very weak as the cabin lights were flickering and I had to keep the engine revved or else it'd stall. The  AMA guy told me to keep it revved for about 15 to 20 minutes until the lights start flickering and then I'd be able to drive it home without it stalling. He also suggested that it might be an issue with the starter or that the terminal cables were too corroded. After the twenty minutes were up, I tried to pull out of the parking spot and it crapped out. I haven't been able to start it since. Now the electronics in the jeep are also dead (no cabin lights, instrument cluster not responsive with the keys in the ignition etc.) so if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions, I'd really appreciate it. It's a 2003 Jeep TJ, 4.0 l Engine. I should mention that the needles in the instrument cluster seem to react when I open the doors or put the keys into the ignition. They just move back and forth. Thanks.
Title: Re: Jeep Won't Start
Post by: cLAY on January 30, 2012, 12:07:25 PM
Sounds like a bad battery. Do yOu have access to another battery to sap in and see? Might be just really bad connections as well.
Title: Re: Jeep Won't Start
Post by: phnguyen on January 30, 2012, 12:34:58 PM
I'm gonna go get it tested later today but the battery is fairly new. I replaced it a couple of years ago.
Title: Re: Jeep Won't Start
Post by: el duke on January 30, 2012, 03:29:42 PM
 before you do anything look at the probs i had
i would bety its in the ignition
actuator switch see my post
Title: Re: Jeep Won't Start
Post by: frenchy on January 30, 2012, 03:47:19 PM
before you do anything look at the probs i had
i would bety its in the ignition
actuator switch see my post

Was that causing your lights to flicker?
Title: Re: Jeep Won't Start
Post by: el duke on January 30, 2012, 05:30:10 PM
 No, it was causing me to flicker after i paid 1200 to get fixed
the first time
any suggestions on a build up on a 1949 meteor
parts etc
Title: Re: Jeep Won't Start
Post by: JackstandJohnny on January 30, 2012, 06:00:52 PM
did you drive the jeep at all through that cold snap we had?

 
Title: Re: Jeep Won't Start
Post by: phnguyen on January 30, 2012, 06:10:03 PM
Yeah, I drove it everyday. Didn't notice any issues with it then though. Started up and ran just fine until a couple of days ago.
Title: Re: Jeep Won't Start
Post by: w squared on January 30, 2012, 06:12:41 PM
Just "borrow" a battery from someone that lives on your street to test it out.  ;D
Title: Re: Jeep Won't Start
Post by: phnguyen on January 30, 2012, 06:35:21 PM
Oh the battery tested just fine. Brought it to Canadian Tire and there didn't seem to be any issues with it.
Title: Re: Jeep Won't Start
Post by: Splinter on January 30, 2012, 08:29:44 PM
Pull your alternator and have it tested too.
While you had your battery out you cleaned the connections too right?
What is your volt meter reading on the dash?
Title: Re: Jeep Won't Start
Post by: phnguyen on January 30, 2012, 09:12:58 PM
Doesn't look like I blew any fuses for the cab. Definitely have to replace the battery connections though. Thanks for all the responses. I'll keep working on it and see if anything turns up.
Title: Re: Jeep Won't Start
Post by: phnguyen on January 31, 2012, 01:21:55 AM
Also looking for a new set of battery terminal cables for the TJ. I've called around and it doesn't look like any place but the dealership sells the specific set (with the "Y) for the jeep. They're asking more than I am willing to pay for the set so if anyone has the cable assembly available, I am definitely looking to buy. I don't really have the tools or the experience to make a set of my own but I'll go down that route to avoid paying the dealership prices if I have too.
Title: Re: Jeep Won't Start
Post by: apeman on January 31, 2012, 05:00:00 AM
Sounds like a bad grounding issue...just saying.
Title: Re: Jeep Won't Start
Post by: phnguyen on February 06, 2012, 02:50:31 PM
So it was the starter. Got it replaced and everything is working fine now. Thanks to everyone for the help and suggestion.
Title: Re: Jeep Won't Start
Post by: JackstandJohnny on February 06, 2012, 03:29:55 PM
your starter shouldn't have anything to do with your vehicle randomly dying..........

Title: Re: Jeep Won't Start
Post by: morerpmfred on February 06, 2012, 04:28:02 PM
I had the starter stuck in the start position and no power to anything in the jeep. Sounded like power steering pump was going west.  It did stall out a couple of times. Thought it was ignition relay. But the starter finally quit in traffic on deerfoot trail. Totally burnt up starter lol. Grabbed all the parts , put starter in first and everything worked normal. Thanks for stopping Trevor. Returned parts.  Yea weird things happen when starter packs it in.
Title: Re: Jeep Won't Start
Post by: JackstandJohnny on February 06, 2012, 06:08:07 PM
huh

crazy!
Title: Re: Jeep Won't Start
Post by: Immortal on February 10, 2012, 09:33:30 PM
no prob. glad you figgered it out.