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Low Battery Reading - Bad Ground? No Start!!

2K views 20 replies 7 participants last post by  JakeC132 
#1 ·
Ok so I recently bought a "new to me" 93, 4.0 Laredo to add to my 93, 4.0 Limited.

Problem: The battery reading on dash read's different but mostly 10amps rather than the norm of 14, It would start all the time with no delay. Today however, for some odd reason I have power (lights) but no sound or click when I try to turn it over. The previous owner installed an alarm system to bypass the standard Jeep alarm. I thought the alarm was draining the battery so I pulled the alarm, replaced the negative terminal and checked the ground to the altenator and body (all seems clear).

I'm doing some late research before I pull the starter tomorrow morning.

Please help, I'm not very good with electrical....
 
#5 · (Edited)
I usually have 10 volts when my car is off. Mine just takes longer to turn over, and I don't have an alarm. Depending on how long your vehicle sits for, you can remove the Ignition-Off-Draw fuse to stop it from drawing battery. I would try this first, but just as a note, your alarm system and power locks may be inoperable. You should still be able to open the car manually with the key, so I would try to keep an eye on your car if you usually alarm it.

I don't know all of the things powered by the IOD fuse, so I would look around the Internet and see before trying it.

My reference is to the manual (I have 1 yr newer). Under Maintenance, under Vehicle Storage.
 
#6 ·
The alarm never interfered with starting and the unlock still works (lock never worked). I don't have a volt meter but plan to hit Advance to replace the battery and test the starter and altenator. I'm kinda tight with the guys up there so I'm going to see if I can borrow their's or a neighbor's.

NOTE: I have a battery charger, when I hook up the battery charger it's supposed to act like a jump and I still don't get a reaction (no click, no crank)
 
#8 ·
What reaction would I get by wiggling the big cables
Because sometimes they get corrosion in the terminals or under the jacket where you cant see it. Moving them around sometimes will make an intermittent connection to carry more load and the engine will start.

What you are describing sounds like the main battery terminal is corroded inside the crimp connection. I say this because you have low voltage everywhere.

Also suspect the ground connection on the right fender by the battery, and the ground under the alternator on the block
 
#15 ·
Hmmm, then it sounds like either a bad starter motor or relay. You could try tapping the starter motor with a wrench or something, then try firing it up. You might have a dead spot on the brush.

The starter relay is in the junction box next to the battery.
 
#17 ·
I've been letting my brother drive the Laredo since he doesn't have a car and havent been underneath for a month since I replaced the shift cable and change the pumpkin fluids. Turns out after going down there is oil covering the starter dripping all the way to the trans pan, I followed the flow and located the start as the intake. Am I right that the right amount of oil can burn the starter???
 
#19 ·
yes oil can be bad for a starter and solenoid. Try this. Turn the key to the on position (dont try and start it) block the tires so it cant roll and be sure that its in park. At the starter solenoid there are 3 wires. 2 Large gage wires and one smaller one. Expose the smaller wire so that you can see the post (meaning make it so you can see the metal post) Take a screw driver (or other metal object that has an insulated handle) and cross the small wire to the larger wire coming from the battery. It should turn over. If it does then the problem is in the wiring from the switch.
 
#20 ·
By switch are you refering to the relay under the hood?

Pulled the Valve cover gasket and it was busted as well as motor mounts and the oil seemed to disburse from the oil sending unit.

All being replaced tomorrow then cleaning the starter/selenoid and attempting the bang first then the screw driver with rubber handle on the power cord - small wire post. Thanks guys and gal, will keep the updates and try to provide pictures - I'm gonna clean her up something good!! Love saving money!!

Hopefully become a Premium User soon!
 
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