YJ died then later arose from the dead

ying · Apr 13th 2006

Figured I'd use an Easter Reference

Yesterday morning the YJ started fine, took my daughter to school and when I came out it did nothing. Turned it off, tried again and she started right up. (I did notice that my stereo was reset so battery issue?).

I drove it a few places through out the day but when I went to pick her up, it would not start again. Even tried to jump it and it cranked but no start. Let it sit, went back 2 hours later and it started right up. Left it for the night and this morning started right up.

Battery is pretty new Maybe a starter issue?

jeepgnome · Apr 13th 2006

I recall a smiliar thing happening to an old ford escort I used to have. We eventually narrowed it down to a fuse issue. I don't remember the details but it was something like rust or corrision on one of the fuses in the engine compartment.

Just a thought.

**Slimer** · Apr 13th 2006

Being that it appeared to have killed power to the radio, that tells me that it is something MORE than just the starter circuit. Look at one of the main fuses then.

Tigercb12 · Apr 13th 2006

Could be just loose battery or bad connection on your starter or the ground for you battery

SarasGP · Apr 13th 2006

Dead spot on the starter? That happened on my TBird and sometimes it would start, sometimes not. Apparently there was one spot on the starter solenoid that was dead. Replaced the starter and it was fine.

Sometimes if I whacked the starter with a LFH it would fix it, but that's prbly not a good idea unless it's a dire emergency.

HTH

jeepgirl · Apr 13th 2006

same thing happened to our YJ, bought new battery because the one was really old and had the alternator replaced....thats what the problem was

Falcon · Apr 13th 2006

i am thinking it could be the altenator

**Artie** · Apr 13th 2006

double check the grounds and all connections on the battery. If the terminals are all corroded it could cause it, same if you have a rusted out ground.

also double check the battery cables are not being pinched, corroded, etc.

ying · Apr 13th 2006

Thanks for all comments!!!!!

SarasGP · Apr 13th 2006

Let us know what you find out.

ying · Apr 17th 2006

Thought it worked itself out

Was fine since the issue last Wed., this morning it died again (after initial start and drive). It is sitting at the WAWA Rt.8. Lucky a co worker was only a 1/2 mile from there.

I am thinking a short of some sort since this morning when I put my right blinker on the radio cut out...

**Slimer** · Apr 17th 2006

Definately sounds like a ground problem or a short.

ying · Apr 17th 2006

Is there a "place to start" to diagnose where my problem is? I know I need to clean and make sure connections are secure but what order do I go in?

**Slimer** · Apr 17th 2006

I am by no means an electricaly wizard, but I think a clue is that the radio is affected. Whatever circuit affects both the radio and the ignition "on" circuit would probably be where to look.

I'd look at the condition of the wires going into the back of the fuse panel first. Make sure they are in good shape (give a few light tugs) with no corrosion. They sit real close to the master cylinder which (considering how corrosiveness of brake fluid) is probably one of the worst places to put wires.

ying · Apr 17th 2006

Thanks Slimer! I now wonder if this is linked to my headlight issue I have...a while back my high beams would sometimes work, sometimes not, now they don't work...go black.

Time for the diagnosis to begin!

**Slimer** · Apr 17th 2006

If you have a floor switch for your highbeams, 9 times out of 10 the switch melted. That's a common issue with CJs.

Actually, even after I swapped in a tilt steering column and moved my switch to the column I STILL melted a switch last winter. Why don't you check the integrity of the high beam switch. If it melted or got hot the white plastic would have yellowed in that area. It is probably a 3 wire switch; big red power wire coming in, and then two smaller wires coming out. I think one terminal has two wires going to it and the other has one On a CJ it is a grey and a green I believe. If you can't get in far enough to see it you can try pulling the plug from the switch and jumping the power from one wire to the other. If the head lights and high beams work THEN you know the switch is bad.

ying · Apr 17th 2006

Well after playing with battery wires, etc.....called AAA...

AAA me

The positive battery wire end was not connecting (not the connector itself but the wire). It seems as if it may be frayed. He told me to cut it and re wrap it...

No onto the headlights

**Slimer** · Apr 17th 2006

I'm glad it was something simple. Don't bother cutting the wire. Just get a new one, they're cheap.

YJ died then later arose from the dead

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