Car Electrical Question

#1
kiddiedoc

kiddiedoc

Renaissance Man
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#1
So, I've had trouble with my Jeep not starting a couple of times lately, despite having a battery less than a year old. The first time, I figured the kids left lights on overnight or something. This time, we drove to dinner without a hiccup, came out afterwards, and it wouldn't even click. Boosting got the starter firing, but it wouldn't turn over. Eventually, I hooked boosters up again and let the other car run for about five minutes, and it finally started.

Driving home, the battery light was on and random warning lights would flash on and off, and the speedometer and Bluetooth went in and out.

I don't think this sounds like it's a problem with the actual battery. Could it be the alternator? Or, a short somewhere, perhaps a problem with the winch control box?

Not my area of expertise, so any advice is much appreciated.
 
#2
#2
kiddiedoc said:
So, I've had trouble with my Jeep not starting a couple of times lately, despite having a battery less than a year old. The first time, I figured the kids left lights on overnight or something. This time, we drove to dinner without a hiccup, came out afterwards, and it wouldn't even click. Boosting got the starter firing, but it wouldn't turn over. Eventually, I hooked boosters up again and let the other car run for about five minutes, and it finally started.

Driving home, the battery light was on and random warning lights would flash on and off, and the speedometer and Bluetooth went in and out.

I don't think this sounds like it's a problem with the actual battery. Could it be the alternator? Or, a short somewhere, perhaps a problem with the winch control box?

Not my area of expertise, so any advice is much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Sounds like alternator... symptoms suggest checking that for sure.
 
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#3
#3
Can AutoZone test it? Looks like a pretty easy replacement on YouTube. May have a new Saturday project
 
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#4
#4
Autozone/Advance will check your battery for free. But yes sounds like the alternator.
 
#5
#5
Is it feasible to change one out by myself with YouTube and routine tools? The only hangup looks like the belt tensioner.
 
#6
#6
kiddiedoc said:
Is it feasible to change one out by myself with YouTube and routine tools? The only hangup looks like the belt tensioner.
Click to expand...
You should be able to do the alternator change easily. Been some time now, but I used a pry bar to add tension to the belt to get the right tension.
 
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#7
#7
kiddiedoc said:
Can AutoZone test it? Looks like a pretty easy replacement on YouTube. May have a new Saturday project
Click to expand...
They can test the alternator as well.

You are a smart fellow. You can do this in 30-40 mins with common tools.

Most part stores will loan you and special tools needed for free.
 
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#8
#8
Obsessed said:
They can test the alternator as well.

You are a smart fellow. You can do this in 30-40 mins with common tools.

Most part stores will loan you and special tools needed for free.
Click to expand...

I agree that he is capable mentally, but I call BS on the 30 to 40 min. Yes, YouTube will have a detailed video on how to do it and everything you need but there is always a bolt that some SOB engineer put in there that you cant get to.

I changed out the alternator on my 02 trailblazer that I used to have and there was that one bolt that took the perfect ratchet extension and a covering on an adjacent hose rubbed the hide off the back of my hand every time I turned the ratchet.

Its possible, but there will be a bunch of sweat, cussing, and bloody knuckles before he's done.
 
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#10
#10
kiddiedoc said:
So, I've had trouble with my Jeep not starting a couple of times lately, despite having a battery less than a year old. The first time, I figured the kids left lights on overnight or something. This time, we drove to dinner without a hiccup, came out afterwards, and it wouldn't even click. Boosting got the starter firing, but it wouldn't turn over. Eventually, I hooked boosters up again and let the other car run for about five minutes, and it finally started.

Driving home, the battery light was on and random warning lights would flash on and off, and the speedometer and Bluetooth went in and out.

I don't think this sounds like it's a problem with the actual battery. Could it be the alternator? Or, a short somewhere, perhaps a problem with the winch control box?

Not my area of expertise, so any advice is much appreciated.
Click to expand...
How old is your Jeep? Alternators are fairly sturdy unless old. They're easy to change out if needed. Before you do tho, check your battery connections at the terminals. I had a Suburban which behaved exactly as you described. Starting was hit and miss but everything checked out. I had a "loose" connection at the battery. I say "loose" because it felt secure if i tugged on it but it moved somewhat if i twisted it on the terminal.

I disconnected. Cleaned terminals and connectors. And tightened that bad boy down with grunting thrown in for good measure. Fixed my issue.

Good luck.
 
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#11
#11
So, I got the alternator out, took it to Advance, and it checks out fine. Maybe a ground problem? My winch control box is bad, I know, could that cause an issue?

Or, could I have just gotten a lemon battery last fall?
 
Last edited:
#12
#12
Had a similar issue with a 2001 F150. All sorts of weird dash electrical issues including headlights. I'd look out at night and my headlights would be on, some days my radio wouldn't turn off, some days it wouldn't come on. Some days my windshield wipers would go wonky, etc... Had to unhook my battery at night till I figured out what it was. It was a box in the dash that controls the dash electrical. It looked all corroded. Had it replaced and the issue went away for a little while but came back. The new box now was corroded.. It turned out water leaking down from a tiny leak around the windshield seal. I had a new windshield installed and the issue never came back. Good luck, electrical issues can be a pain in the ass.
 
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#13
#13
kiddiedoc said:
So, I've had trouble with my Jeep not starting a couple of times lately, despite having a battery less than a year old. The first time, I figured the kids left lights on overnight or something. This time, we drove to dinner without a hiccup, came out afterwards, and it wouldn't even click. Boosting got the starter firing, but it wouldn't turn over. Eventually, I hooked boosters up again and let the other car run for about five minutes, and it finally started.

Driving home, the battery light was on and random warning lights would flash on and off, and the speedometer and Bluetooth went in and out.

I don't think this sounds like it's a problem with the actual battery. Could it be the alternator? Or, a short somewhere, perhaps a problem with the winch control box?

Not my area of expertise, so any advice is much appreciated.
Click to expand...

check the ground wire then go from there. what year is the vehicle?
 
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#15
#15
Have the alternator back on, boosted the battery, still no start. Ground looks good. Lights and radio will come on. Turning the key causes a rhythmic "CLICK-uh-tuh, CLICK uh-tuh,..." Will not even try to turn over. Maybe the starter? But that wouldn't explain the funky lights and speedometer malfunction last night, eh?
 
#16
#16
Lol, know my service shop says they don't trust those "bench" tests for alternators and it sounds like that is the problem. Going to try to jump it again or get it towed ... GRRRRR
 
#17
#17
kiddiedoc said:
Lol, know my service shop says they don't trust those "bench" tests for alternators and it sounds like that is the problem. Going to try to jump it again or get it towed ... GRRRRR
Click to expand...

Automatic? If it was the alternator, the vehicle would stop running after a while, due to loss of charge.

I’m guessing you have a bad starter.

Or the fuse for the starter.

If it is an automatic. Turn the key to where all the lights come on the dash. Then place in neutral and try and start.
 
#18
#18
Fun coupon VOL said:
Automatic? If it was the alternator, the vehicle would stop running after a while, due to loss of charge.

I’m guessing you have a bad starter.

Or the fuse for the starter.

If it is an automatic. Turn the key to where all the lights come on the dash. Then place in neutral and try and start.
Click to expand...
Would the starter or fuse cause all the disruptions to the indicator lights and speedometer?

I was finally able to jump it off and am waiting on an assessment at Firestone
 
#19
#19
kiddiedoc said:
Would the starter or fuse cause all the disruptions to the indicator lights and speedometer?

I was finally able to jump it off and am waiting on an assessment at Firestone
Click to expand...

Well, electrical does some crazy stuff, fuses especially.

So it doesn’t start, batteries are good, ground is good, alternator is questionable, but it won’t start.

I have a hard time believing it is the alternator. I’m guessing it is a fuse(starter)or solenoid on the key switch.

Good luck. I hate electrical crap.
 
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#20
#20
Diodes in the alternator, when they go bad, can cause what you are experiencing. Alt output will be normal, however, a bad diode will bleed the battery with the engine off. Be sure the check them.
 
#22
#22
McDad said:
The problem is he has a Jeep.

Sorry, KD. Couldn't resist.
Click to expand...
Haha, very funny.

Well, they swapped out my battery (free under warranty) and I changed out the damaged winch control box and wiring, in case it was somehow draining the battery, and all is running fine, for now.

I've never seen a bad battery behave like that, but electrical stuff is very confusing, to me. Good news is that I've mastered the art of alternator replacement, should that skill ever come in handy.
 
#23
#23
SaluteToTheHill said:
Had a similar issue with a 2001 F150. All sorts of weird dash electrical issues including headlights. I'd look out at night and my headlights would be on, some days my radio wouldn't turn off, some days it wouldn't come on. Some days my windshield wipers would go wonky, etc... Had to unhook my battery at night till I figured out what it was. It was a box in the dash that controls the dash electrical. It looked all corroded. Had it replaced and the issue went away for a little while but came back. The new box now was corroded.. It turned out water leaking down from a tiny leak around the windshield seal. I had a new windshield installed and the issue never came back. Good luck, electrical issues can be a pain in the ass.
Click to expand...


and Ford trucks have more than their fair share of electrical glitches...My 2001 F250 has had more glitches and failures of electrical components than any vehicle I have ever owned
 
#24
#24
Smokey X said:
and Ford trucks have more than their fair share of electrical glitches...My 2001 F250 has had more glitches and failures of electrical components than any vehicle I have ever owned
Click to expand...
Had a 2000 F150 that was the same. Oddly enough I would get the full Christmas tree effect of lights on the dash and speedometer and tach stopped working for about 600 miles if I got fuel at a certain rinky dink place by my house.
 
#25
#25
Smokey X said:
and Ford trucks have more than their fair share of electrical glitches...My 2001 F250 has had more glitches and failures of electrical components than any vehicle I have ever owned
Click to expand...
I actually love F150s. I dont drive that one every day any more but it has 300k miles on it and still running strong. That electrical issue was tough to figure out but once we did it was an easy fix.
 
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