Jeep starting problems

OnlyOneKeano · 11-22-2009, 09:46 AM

I know this forum is for YJ's only but i've been surfing this forum for a while now (cuz im looking at buy a YJ soon) and it seems like you guys really know what youre doing.

Have an old jeep J20 trying to figure out whats going on. if anyone has any ideas please respond.

here's the problem. few mornings in a row found that battery voltage was below 10 volts..., couldnt start the thing. Jump started it and it wouldnt start, starter would just click away everytime i tried. Untill I charged the hell outta the battery with the other vehicle. After charging the hell outta it finally got it to start.

Next morning same problem.. Used an inline amp meter to see if anything was drawing on the battery. nothing. Looked at the date on the battery it was really old.
Buddy of mine has a battery 'test meter', checked the battery and it indicated the battery condition was really bad. Considering its 5 years old, it makes sense, aslo considering I use this vehicle for alot of short hops.

Changed the battery, everyhting was fine, checked that it was charging, alternator is working good, ran good for a few days, now its doing the same thing... now even when i get the battery up to 12 volts, starter stilll clicks away, cant get it to crank over at all.

Its seems quite obvious the starter is done and needs replacing, and thats ok. But will a pooched starter slowly discharge the battery? like overnight?

Has anyone ever heard of a worn starter discharging your battery overnnight? anyone got any ideas?

thanks alot.

**4.7stroker** · 11-22-2009, 10:27 AM

Get it down to walmart they will test your battery and charging system for free.
If your rig starts with a fresh battery either you have a bad connection somewhere or you alternator is bad.

Dwayne

YJ Newby · 11-22-2009, 11:19 AM

The lifespan of a typical 5-year battery is usually less than 5 years. That is why they pro-rate the refund amount after the first year. Here in the desert, I am lucky to get three good years out of a new battery.

I developed the same problem [click-click-click] when I tried to start mine on a 3-year old battery, tested the battery and found it to be no longer robust enough to turn the starter from a cold start. $59 later, problem solved. Hope this helps, non-starts are very frustrating.

OnlyOneKeano · 11-22-2009, 11:50 AM

YJ Newby --> I wish it was that simple lol. I changed that battery last week and thought everything was cherry... but its doing the same thing now. the battery was 5 years old so it was on its last leg, but that hanst taken care of the real issue. Something is dishcharging that battery!!!

4.7stroker --> yeah i'm starting to think the bad connection is what the problem is. The thing has started twice now on a 6 month old battery and then a new battery. But then atfer a few days somehting just drains the battery.

Last week when i did have it running on the fresh battery, the alternator output was solid and it was charging. This morning i charged the battery up full and it still woudlnt turn the starter. I think the starter is starting to go.. but i still cant figure out what is discharging the battery.

**4.7stroker** · 11-22-2009, 12:07 PM

An alternator can charge and still drain a battery because of a leaky diode. Have the alternator tested.
Also remove all battery cables and clean including all grounds and make sure the block to chassis is clean and tight.
Battery cables can look good and ohm good and yet still not carry current because of corrosion under the insulation.

Dwayne

11-22-2009, 11:19 AM	#3
YJ Newby Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 153 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	The lifespan of a typical 5-year battery is usually less than 5 years. That is why they pro-rate the refund amount after the first year. Here in the desert, I am lucky to get three good years out of a new battery. I developed the same problem [click-click-click] when I tried to start mine on a 3-year old battery, tested the battery and found it to be no longer robust enough to turn the starter from a cold start. $59 later, problem solved. Hope this helps, non-starts are very frustrating.