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1997 Jeep Cherokee Clicking Noise Draining Battery

Tiny
SETHNICHOLSDJ
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 198,000 MILES
Hello,

When I turn my Jeep off, there is a clicking noise that occurs under the glovebox. If I turn the lights on, the clicking stops, when I move the lights position back to off, the clicking starts again. My battery is now dead and I can't start the car - the clicking noise (which I believe is an electrical malfunction in connection with the car lighting) is draining my battery.

the clicking also stops if I turn on an interior light as well - and commences as soon as I turn it off.

any ideas of what to do to troubleshoot this?

the battery is brand new, starter turns over with strength (when trying to jump car).
Well, it's the same clicker that occurs when the turn signal is activated. As I said though, it seems to be tied in with the lighting system because any activation of the lighting system and the clicking stops.

thanks!
Seth
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Wednesday, December 29th, 2010 AT 6:40 PM

55 Replies

Tiny
ASHERJONAS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
@sethnicholsdj.I am having the exact same problem with my 97 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Just happened.I hope someone can answer your question. The clicking noise is coming from under the glove box. My lights are on so it is not the battery.
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Monday, January 3rd, 2011 AT 8:33 PM
Tiny
SETHNICHOLSDJ
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yep, it's like the turn signal clicking sound, but 2 times as fast.
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Monday, January 3rd, 2011 AT 8:48 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Remove right side kick panel see if can locate clicking to a specific relay
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Monday, January 3rd, 2011 AT 8:49 PM
Tiny
SUSAN KAY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
My 97 jeep Grand cherokee just did the same thing. Leaving on road trip/move n 6 days. PLEASE HELP!
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Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 AT 8:42 PM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Check the main junction block under the right side of the dash. I have attached an image with the relays that are co-located there pointed out. Let us know which one is clicking, and I'll send you a schematic for that system so you can track the short.
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+5
Saturday, December 10th, 2011 AT 12:48 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
SEEN THIS BEFORE!

SOMETIMES YOUR GAUGES SORTA GO HAYWIRE TOO

MOST LIKELY---BATTERY DYING/ THEN DEAD

ALTERNATOR/ BATTERY FAILURE/ SOMETHING IN THE SYSTEM FAILURE(IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR IN THE CASE I DEALT WITH)

ONCE AGAIN RIVERMIKERAT!

UN-JEWG THE BATTERY COMPLETELY FROM YOUR RIG (REMOVE BOTH CABLES FOR ALL YA'LL YANKEE TYPES!)

COMPUTER WILL RESET

CHARGE OLD BATTERY/ REPLACE OLD BATTERY, WHICH EVER WORKS BEST

JUMP STARTING MAY MAKE YOU "GO", BUT THE PROBLEMS PERSIST

. THE COMPUTER AIN'T BEEN RESET, TILL YOU UN-JEWG AND RE-INSTALL "FRESH" BATTERY (SOME 'ROUND HERE SAY, "BAT-STREE"!)

ONCE UNDERWAY---CHECK SYSTEM FOR, "NOT CHARGING" (FOR WHATEVER OF MANY REASONS!)

OR A BAD BATTERY

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO DO THIS, MANY POPULAR AUTO PARTS STORES WILL DO THIS LOAD TESTING, CHARGING SYSTEM TESTING FOR YOU FOR FREE!

KEEP US UPDATED

THE MEDIC
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Saturday, December 10th, 2011 AT 1:10 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
SORRY SORTA LEFT SOMETHING "TO BE INTERPRETED WRONG"

FULLY CHARGE OLD BATTERY IF IT'S GOOD---OR PUT IN A FULLY CHARGED NEW BATTERY

SORRY. LIKED THE "EDIT OPTION" THE OLD SITE HAD

THE MEDIC
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Saturday, December 10th, 2011 AT 1:14 AM
Tiny
DODGECARAVAN1999
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
This just happened with my Dodge Caravan !999), I opened car door (with key) and that loud fast clicking was going. I turned the key to start. Not a sound. Nothing (lights, inside/out; horn; blinkers; brakes are stiff) works. The only thing that DOES happen is the engine temp and gas ant gauges go up. But, when I turn the key off, the clicking starts again. I'm waiting for an answer from the website mechanics. It was weird, after never hearing something like this, I read all these SAME problems, with different vehicles. I'M NOT ALONE! I appreciate all the sharing. I'm bracing myself for a car repair I can, in no way, afford.
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Friday, July 25th, 2014 AT 10:46 PM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
It sounds likes a short somewhere. Fully charge the battery and leave the charger on. Do whatever is required for the clicking to start. Then start pulling fuses and replacing them until the clicking stops. The affected circuit has just been discovered. Once that's done, we can figure out why and where and how to fix it.
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Monday, July 28th, 2014 AT 1:38 PM
Tiny
TDAWWG
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I know this is years old, but I just thought I would report on my experience. I have a 1996 Jeep grand cherokee with this issue. I got down to looking through the fuse box and found that the issue is coming from the courtesy lamp fuse(slot 16) If the fuse is pulled the clicking and battery drain stops.
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Tuesday, January 10th, 2017 AT 6:03 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,690 POSTS
Hey TDAWWG,

This is what I found for the draw, there is a relay that I think has shorted or you have a glove box or hood light that is staying on, here is a diagrams and some wiring diagrams to get the problem fixed.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

Please run some tests and get back to us so we can continue helping you.

Best, Ken
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Saturday, January 14th, 2017 AT 11:32 PM
Tiny
TIERRADELIVIDO
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 18,000 MILES
Engine Mechanical problem
1997 Jeep Cherokee 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 18000 miles

battery being drain every day. Why is this alternator sis checking out ok an just bought a new battery had replace already still dead in morning. Can you help me fnd the issue
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Monday, March 6th, 2017 AT 1:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Drain test is needed
you need a test light
disconnect battery negative cable
place the test light in between cable and battery if light on and strong you have a draw start puling fuses one at a time watching the light you need it to dim out
let me know what happens
most likely power door luck
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Monday, March 6th, 2017 AT 1:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
Here's an experience I had a while back,

maybe it is similar to your issue.

Read about the 'power seat' and why it was a 'player' but not the actual problem.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/2002-acura-mdx-battery-always-dead

Return with good news!

The Medic

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Monday, March 6th, 2017 AT 5:35 PM
Tiny
RUBBERDUCK250
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • JEEP CHEROKEE
Hello:

I have a 1989 Jeep Cherokee with 4.0L engine. I have had the vehicle for about six years and now have a very strange problem occuring. I moved to Texas for school from Washington State and everytime it rains my battery dies. I never once had this problem in Washington where it rains all the time. But, here in Texas every single time it rains the battery dies.

I don't have a problem if I am driving just overnight. For example it started to rain today after nearly 100 straight days of heat and go to drive my Jeep and the battery is flat dead. I thought I had fixed the problem by replacing the battery from the last couple times this happened. I even upgraded to a Yellow Top Optima (Incredibly powerful deep cycle battery.) Yeah I know these are only for highly demanding situations such as marine use. I am a fire fighter with many radios and lights (none of which were on, I checked).

So whatever the problem is seems to be directly proportional to rain. What could be getting wet enough to cause a battery drain of a heavy duty deep cycle in under 4 hours?

Yes the problem is the vehicle won't start. You say your an auto mechanic? If you are you should know that the alternator is putting out approximately 60 Amps for a standard alternator, mine has an output of approximately 110 Amps @ 14.5 VDC. That equals 1595 Watts of Energy. This is more than enough to keep an engine running unless there was a direct short.

The battery recharges without problems once I jump start the Jeep. The trouble is the battery dies when it rains and does not allow the vehicle to start.

Thanks for the help!
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Tuesday, May 23rd, 2017 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,690 POSTS
Hello,

There must be something that is staying on such as the computer is not shutting down the car. Here is a guide that should help you get the problem fixed.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

Please run some tests and get back to us so we can continue helping you.

Cheers, Ken

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Tuesday, May 23rd, 2017 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
AIRMA95
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 163,143 MILES
Electrical problem
1998 Jeep Cherokee 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic 163143 miles

my husband bought a 98 jeep grand cherokee laredo less than aweek agothe first couple of days it wwas fine the last two night the battery drained overnight the battery checked out fine we tested all fuses what do we do now
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Tuesday, May 23rd, 2017 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Do a battery drain test:


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_parastic_draw_1_117.jpg

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-1
Tuesday, May 23rd, 2017 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BXLXIX69
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 166,747 MILES
Electrical problem
1996 Jeep Cherokee 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic 166747 miles

I'm having a problem with battery drain. If I pull the neg wire, the battery is good in the morning.

When I left the battery hooked up in the morning is practically dead.

How do I find the drain and determin what is wrong. It runs fine if I start it and pull the neg terminal, it runs fine. So were do I go from here?

Allan.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/171609_DSC02888_1.jpg

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Tuesday, May 23rd, 2017 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Battery drain test

Get a test light and disconnect the negative battery cable now put the light between the cable and battery negative post is the light On? If so start removing fuses one at a time -the fuse that turns off the light is the trouble circuit. Then break out the electrical wiring diagram.

In the event you removed all the fuses and the light is still On disconnect the alternator batt. Feed and the connector-if this one turns off the light-the alternator has bad diodes.
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Tuesday, May 23rd, 2017 AT 11:55 AM (Merged)

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