1997 Jeep Cherokee Jeep won't remain started

LOVEMYJEEP

MEMBER
1997 JEEP CHEROKEE
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
254,000 MILES

My 97 Jeep Grand Limited keeps losing power/engine won't turn over. Must get jumped, which last 3-5 days (depending on how much power I don't use; ex: radio, heat, etc.) Then same problem persist.

Battery is 1.5yr old (72 month) and I have warranty, but don't think its the problem. New trans, water pump and sensor and battery last year. Headlight blew other week also.

There are no warning lights on the dash, but the panel indicator lights are beeping & blinking saying "rear lights out and check engine" since last year. Had this checked by two mechanics last year who confirm nothing's wrong, but can't seem to reset the panel.

Really need help/direction on reasons why the battery might be weakening/dying every few days and solutions, average cost.

3 Replies

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

Welcome to the forum, thanks for the donation. I'd have to make sure the battery has a full charge and the connections are good. Next, I'd have to make sure the charging system is ok. Regardless of what other mechanics did or didn't do, I'd still have go through my testing procedure, and intermittent issues can be hard to track. Have the troublecodes checked, some of the national brand autostores will check codes for free.

Another thought is excessive battery drain, something using too much voltage when key is off. Maybe lite that stays on somewhere, best time to check for lite is in the dark, interior-- glovebox-- underhood--- in the trunk, somewhere.

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Monday, November 23rd, 2009 AT 11:56 AM

LOVEMYJEEP

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks for the helpful feedback! Yes I triple-checked the sources like phone charger, int. Lights, etc, to eliminate them as causes. Just very very weird and I am worried electrical system maybe going bad? So, I should consider having battery and get diagnostic on electrical first step?

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Monday, November 23rd, 2009 AT 12:15 PM

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

Yes, I'd have the battery checked and the charging system, to start. Can you check for amp draw from battery, key off. At the least, you need a digital multimeter with an amp setting. Take battery cable loose, with meter on amp setting, one lead goes to battery cable, the other to battery post. Then you read the amp draw on the meter.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Monday, November 23rd, 2009 AT 1:37 PM