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Jeep death

Tiny
JEEPGAL
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 185,000 MILES
I have a jeep cherokee 2000, lately I discovered a bad leak on the passenger side, I figure it's coming from the door, so I\m on top of it for now, I keep charcoal in the damp area to keep it dry. Anyways today I was heading out for groceries when the CHECK GAUGES red light lit up, nothing else was lit up to tell me which gauge was having a problem, but I did notice the battery gauge was way low, like there was nothing in it. I stopped at a garage twice, nobody seem to know what it was, so I left. As I was making my way home, the radio stopped suddenly, then the signal lights, then the windows loss power and all the lights went out too! I was able to just make it in the driveway when the engine and everything else stopped! I tried igniting it an hour later, nothing, 3 hours later everything came back again, as well as the red CHECK GAUGES LIGHT, now I do not feel comfortable getting back into my cAR! I'm thinking now, it's probably just the battery or something to do with the humidity and the fuses. Help!
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Sunday, January 23rd, 2011 AT 8:32 AM

13 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
IMMA CJ KINDA GUY AND I KNOW LITTLE OF YOUR RIG

I DO KNOW THAT COMPUTER VEHICLES GO CRAZY SOMETIMES IF THE BATTERY GETS LOW OR DIES

IT SEEMS A "JUMP OR CHARGING" WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM!

YOU MUST ACTUALLY TAKE THE BATTERY CABLES LOOSE---THEN FULLY CHARGE THE BATTERY (OR REPLACE WITH A FULLY CHARGED BATTERY). THIS RESETS THE COMPUTER, THATS WHY JUMP-STARTING WON'T WORK!

YOUR BATTERY MAY BE BAD OR YOUR CHARGING SYSTEM (MAINLY ALTERNATOR MAY NOT BE WORKING) HAVE YOU INVESTIGATED UNDER THE HOOD FOR BELT OR CONNECTION PROBLEMS?

ALL FUSE LOCATIONS? (SEE OWNERS MANUAL)

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO TEST YOUR BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR, TO SEE IF VOLTAGE IS CORRECT? (I CAN ASSIST WITH THAT, IF YOU HAVE A HAND HELD VOLTMETER)

IF NOT, MAYBE RECHARGE YOUR BATTERY AND QUICKLY GET IT OVER TO AUTOZONE, ADVANCE AUTO, SOME OTHER PLACES--THEY TEST THAT STUFF FOR FREE!

YOU MIGHT ALSO HAVE IT "CODED" THERE, THAT'S FREE TOO!

LET ME KNOW THE DEAL!

THE MEDIC
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Sunday, January 23rd, 2011 AT 2:32 PM
Tiny
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Heloo and thank you for your prompt reply.I dwill be bringing the battery in to recharge it. Because the gauge on the battery IS way down to the lowest point, but recharging, is this better than just buying a new battery? Thx
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Sunday, January 23rd, 2011 AT 5:46 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
Well, jeepgal,

Your battery may not hold a charge.

When you get it fully charged, take it to Autozone or Advance Auto to be "LOAD TESTED"

You also need to verify that your alternator is working, you can do this yourself, if you have access to a voltmeter (I can tell you how if you have one)

Your rig needs to be running to do this. The parts store can check that too!

I'm just sayin', even a brand new battery will die, if it's not being charged.

Your Turn,

The Medic
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Sunday, January 23rd, 2011 AT 8:35 PM
Tiny
JEEPGAL
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  • 7 POSTS
Just bought a brand new battery. The gauge is up to 12, now I will go to a garage, and ask them to check the alternator, my friend did not have a voltmeter, and the Canadian tire is closed today. But thx I will let you know once I go to the garage to have the alternator checked, your feedback was clear and comprehensible for a non-professional like myself, I thak you for taking the time to respond, it is sincerely much appreciated. THX

My jeep is a good jeep, lots of torque, no problems whatsoever, but it seems to be little things. And hopefully will stay so if I maintaing the upkeep!
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Sunday, January 23rd, 2011 AT 9:13 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
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Good Deal,

Don't trust it till you get it checked

Here's My 2

Let me know how you fare!

The Medic
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Monday, January 24th, 2011 AT 3:10 AM
Tiny
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  • 7 POSTS
Still not working! Got in the car, all the electrical is working, but as soon as I put it in gear, the red gauge light turned on and the battery gauge went waaaay way down.
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Monday, January 24th, 2011 AT 3:48 AM
Tiny
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  • 7 POSTS
I was so afraid to get her going and for it to die that I just stayed parked. It seems like because I have a new battery I can still run with it a while regardless of these warnings. Yes? Because tomorrow I plan on taking her in the garage to check the alternator with a voltmere by a garage. Right? I/m safe to venture off even though the gauge is red and theres no activitiy on the battery gauge?
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Monday, January 24th, 2011 AT 4:00 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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Just put out a plea for a more experienced feller to assist you!

Be patient, I feel sure he will show, he's really cool, and has helped me several times.

The Medic
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Monday, January 24th, 2011 AT 4:01 AM
Tiny
JEEPGAL
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  • 7 POSTS
Who helped you?
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Monday, January 24th, 2011 AT 4:04 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
Merlin2021 has assisted me.I am not up to speed on much of this computer stuff, but from what you are saying, when placed in gear, something is putting a Big-time draw on your battery. If it were mine I would not drive it, it would be awful to set your wiring harness on fire (or Jeep), if its a UNPROTECTED SHORT (no fuse or circuit breaker)

I sorta figger you're a female (hence your name)

While you wait on merlin2021, you might look around your tranny for something, a wire pinched or melted. Maybe in the engine compartment too. Did you hear any noises or smell something hot?

I do not know what might cause the Severe Voltage Drop, Heck it might be something really simple!

The Medic
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Monday, January 24th, 2011 AT 4:24 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Using Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) 1. Ensure battery is fully charged. Turn ignition on and note operation of MIL. The MIL is located in message center above instrument panel. When ignition is first turned on, MIL should come on and remain on for 3 seconds to verify bulb and circuit operation and then go off. 2. Attempt to start engine. Turn ignition off. Without starting engine, turn ignition on, off, on, off and on within 5 seconds. Record 2-digit Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) as displayed by flashing MIL. 3. For example, DTC 24 will be displayed by 2 flashes, short pause and then 4 flashes. A short pause will exist between first and second digits on DTC. If more than one DTC is stored, after first DTC is displayed, there will be a longer pause and then another stored DTC will be displayed. 4. Once all DTCs are recorded, proceed to retrieving DTCs using scan tool to ensure all DTCs are obtained. See USING SCAN TOOL. NOTE: If MIL does not come on for 3 seconds and then go off, bulb circuit may be defective or problem area may exist on wire between between Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and instrument cluster. Post all codes here.
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Monday, January 24th, 2011 AT 8:39 AM
Tiny
JEEPGAL
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Well my jeep cherokee classic 2000 does not have a MIL, the only thing that light up in the dash is the check gauges light. Am bringing it in to have the alternator checked and changed with a new one. Is this an easy job to do, change the alternator, gotta friend whos willing to do it versus paying a garageman. Thx
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Tuesday, January 25th, 2011 AT 1:18 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
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I don't know about Canadien modles, but I believe it also has a PCM(powertrain control module), and if it does, this needs to be checked, PCM controls the voltage. Test both b4 you replace parts.
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Tuesday, January 25th, 2011 AT 8:19 PM

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