My relationship with my CRD might be drawing to a close

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 4:56 pm

On Sunday it wouldn't start... no crank... just the cluster lights turning on and off as the key was held in the start position as it dinged each time an some clicking was heard under the hood. Wouldn't jumpstart, leaving it on the charger over night had no impact. Had it towed to work Monday to have a tech look at it... his test light showed voltage at the starter but the light was dim. Ordered a new starter but was was never satisfied that was the only problem.

Today I put a meter across the batt terminals and read 12.2 V... turn on the ignition and read 11V which seems to be a pretty big voltage drop. Turn the key off and voltage rises up to 12.2V again. After further testing and moving the harnesses around on top of the enigine caused the dash lights to dim and then "ding". On occasion the digital display reads "no bus" which I've never seen before and I believe translates to "you're effed".

Now when I turn the key the red light to the left never turns off like it's supposed to and I don't even get the "nice try" click anymore.

So yeah...

geordi · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 6:01 pm

Sounds like a shorted wire or a bad grounding strap. Both have been problems on Chrysler vehicles in the past. The electrical systems on Mopar have been trouble for years, nice to see they still haven't fixed any of those problems.

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 6:14 pm

Once, I drained the battery by accident on my CRD. Even after hooking it up to another vehicle to try a jump start it still wouldn't start. Racked my brain for hours.... then it hit me. The security system (yes all CRDs have some level of security) had shut down the ECU to prevent theft due to the dead battery. I had to get out the owners manual, and follow the instructions in there in order to "free" my Jeep to go ahead and attempt to start it.

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 6:33 pm

The thing is, I was out in the desert all day, we had a campfire in which the vehicel sat for like 3 hrs. When it was time to go home, it started right up and I drove 45 miles home. Parked in the garage at 11PM and 12 hrs later... this happened.

kskj · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 7:01 pm

It will not hurt to try it. Put someones good battery in it and see what happens.

flman · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 7:03 pm

I read a post in the past from another member that had the same problem, and in the end a new battery was all they needed? That is why I changed the slow cranking battery in the Sport recently, I did not want to have one of these stories of wo.

geordi · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 7:39 pm

Are you still running with an Optima, or have you gone with a standard wet cell? The Optimas are known for just suddenly leaving you stuck, no warning at all. That is how mine ended it's time with me, left me stuck at work when it had driven in that morning perfectly. Ditto for my motorcycle's gel battery.

Re-reading your initial post, dropping from 12.2 to 11 volts just by connecting the car's systems DOES say that the battery is the culprit - The battery isn't putting out amperage for the tiny watt draw of the ECMs, so the voltage drops off a cliff.

ihatemybike · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 7:56 pm

How will this effect you for Pastafari? Will your KJ be ready for that kind of awesomeness?

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 8:03 pm

you do realize on these beasts that if the battery doesn't have enough voltage to turn on the computer - it won't run.

computer first - engine later.

(and of course if you don't change the timing belt fairly soon your relationship may still be short)

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 8:19 pm

yeah I don't know about your problems but I do know the Optima did die on me fast. mine took a jump so I must have had enough to power the computer but not much else.

I would try a battery first too.

JDaPP · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 8:38 pm

Had very similar issue with mine (actually had it on a chevy S-10 one time too). Everything normal and then the next day completely dead, would not jump.

dkenny · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 9:32 pm

Put a New battery in It...

sounds just like what happend to my wifes Jeep..
run great..went to start the next day.. lights..but no crank..
so I tried the old trick of turning on the headlights then cranking..darn new cars..they turn off the head light while cranking..

I did put a meter on the batter..was something like 12.1V ..not good should be 12.5..even with the key turned on..unless the glow plugs are on..then it might be less but at 14w*4 or about 60W..no much load..should still be 12.4 at least...UNLESS the battery is dying..

-dkenny

arengant · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 9:35 pm

[quote="JL Rockies"]After further testing and moving the harnesses around on top of the enigine caused the dash lights to dim and then "ding". On occasion the digital display reads "no bus" which I've never seen before and I believe translates to "you're effed". quote]

I would guess "No BUS" means it can't communicate, like the computer couldn't turn on all the way...

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 9:50 pm

Sounds like a classic optima failure, though any battery could do this in the same way.

It been replaced yet? If not get a good new battery and I bet it will be fine.

WolverineFW · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 11:05 pm

I vote battery as well. Have you had it load tested? It will indicate a defective battery.

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Wed Dec 22, 2010 12:49 am

I am bringing my load tester to work tomorrow. It's an Optima Yellow top and I was winching for my life as the front of my KJ hung over a ravine... in retrospect, I might've been better off jumping out and lettin' 'er go.... since it was technically a public road... ins would've paid.

As far as Pastafari, I'll still be there... either with this KJ, a 2007 FJ we have on the lot or the last new H3 Alpha known in the rockies that I've had my eye on.... it's orange though.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Wed Dec 22, 2010 12:56 am

JL Rockies wrote:

It's an Optima Yellow top .

That is your issue right there.They are very well known to just die right after the warranty runs out,one day fine the next it's deader then a door nail.Had it happen twice on me and ditched Optima all together for a much better battery.

Don't even think about a fj loser unless you like spending massive amounts of $$$ on wiper blades and having cracks in the body repaired not to mention the sveer blinds spots.The h3 is even worse then a fj loser and soon finding parts will be harder then finding parts for a CRD.

Drewd · **Joined:** Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:24 pm **Posts:** 902

JL Rockies,
Sounds like you are seriously effed....I'll gladly take it off your hands for scrap value since its junk. No need to replace the battery. Please let me know where to send the check. $3 grand is what I think its worth in its current condition.

geordi · **Posted:** Wed Dec 22, 2010 2:13 am

If you are gonna do that... I'll beat his price. $3001.

tugdrivinj · **Posted:** Wed Dec 22, 2010 3:14 am

hell I'll jump all the way up to oooh say $3010... top that!!! :pepper:

My relationship with my CRD might be drawing to a close

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