After not starting for four weeks, I got it started drove it home, now it will not start?

LC1

MEMBER
2014 JEEP PATRIOT
2WD
AUTOMATIC
122,000 MILES

Car was dead 4 weeks ago got it started and got it home. Went to start again and it didn't start. Took battery out to get tested at AutoZone they said it was fine. Put Battery back in and it started right up and ran great for 4 weeks even in subzero weather. Went to go to work today and it was dead again. Got it started after jumping it and let it run a bit. Then turned it off then went to start again and was dead again.

1 Reply

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,536 POSTS

I have seen a battery test good and then go bad and then come back to life due to a short inside the battery. To confirm when it won't start let's use a voltmeter to check the battery surface voltage.

This guide can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

It should have just over 12 volts just as it sits. Also, I would check the battery cables to make sure they are clean and tight.

Please go over this guide as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Also, when you say "dead" do any lights come on? Can you shoot a short video of what is happening so I can see what's going on? I have seen the TIPM go out and cause this problem as well, but I think we should double check the battery first.