Completely Dead KJ ** Fixed**

Jeep4me99 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 29, 2007 2:02 pm

I went to start the KJ today and I got nothing, it didn't even try to turn over. I saw the interior lights were on, so i figured the battery was ok (i just replaced it last week). I turned the key back towards me and the radio was able to turn on. I then took the key out and was walking behind the vehicle when I heard the rear gate lock mechanism making some sound like it was trying to engage. So I went back in the KJ and put the key in to try and make the lock stop. This time it was all dead, no lights, no radio....nothing!!! :evil:

I didn't leave any lights on or anything last night, so I don't know what it is....alternator, starter, I have no clue!

Any ideas out there?

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Well when I got my battery replaced they said the corrisoin ate the negative connector up pretty good. My mechanic tested the battery and there was something drawing on the battery...the rear gate mechanism. Since the negaive terminal was not attached real tight, the ground was not secure, causing the lock to go nutz! Once he held the connetor on the terminal tight the KJ was back to life. All I have to do is repleace the nut and bolt the the negative battery connector sits tight on the terminal..........Quick free fixes are the best. Thanks for all the input!!!!!

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gone_jeepin · **Posted:** Mon Jan 29, 2007 2:35 pm

Unless your gate was open all night and made the interior lights stay on.........I don't think its the starter cause usually the starter still tries to turn the engine over before it goes completely out usually, but it could be the alternator, In my 03 Jetta i had blew the alternator with my stereo system and it would drain the doo doo outta my battery, like in mins. my battery would go from charged to dead!! So test the alternator with a meter and see whats goin on there

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Mon Jan 29, 2007 3:23 pm

I had something similar happen to me about 7 months ago. I just had a friend come over and we jumped the KJ. No problems since. You may have left something on/open without really knowing it.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 29, 2007 3:29 pm

Isn't the KJ programmed to turn off the interior lights after 15 minutes, even when the door is left open? I know mine does because when I am unloading stuff in the dark - it goes out right when I need it!

I'd check the alternator as well. Take it off and head straight to autozone or napa or the like...

O_Dogg · **Posted:** Mon Jan 29, 2007 11:55 pm

sleeve84028 wrote:

Isn't the KJ programmed to turn off the interior lights after 15 minutes, even when the door is left open? I know mine does because when I am unloading stuff in the dark - it goes out right when I need it!

I'd check the alternator as well. Take it off and head straight to autozone or napa or the like...

yeah mines goes out thats why i try to remember to push the switch on the rear cargo light if i have it open doing stuff. took me a awhile to figure out that it was an on/off light :roll:

2003KJ · **Posted:** Tue Jan 30, 2007 12:58 am

What is it with the negative terminal bolt and nut?

I just replaced my battery two weeks ago (only got about 3.5 years out of it....done better on other vehicles), and while i had the cables unplugged I cleaned the massive ammount of (blue???) corrosion off of mainly the negative terminal for the SECOND time in less than a month. There waqs so mud crud on there, I was able to get the nut lose enough to get the terminal off, but I cant get it broke free to finish tightening the terminal down all the way, now that I have a new battery on. It's on tight enough for now...but i'd rather not live by the "well thats good enough for now" method. It'll be just my luck that i'll hit a big pothole some day and pop that sucker right off while i'm still driving down the road.

Anyone else notice excessive corrosion on their battery? Mine seems to be blue for some reason...never seen that color before.

dirtykj · **Posted:** Tue Jan 30, 2007 1:04 am

2003KJ wrote:

Anyone else notice excessive corrosion on their battery? Mine seems to be blue for some reason...never seen that color before.

Seems to be common with OEM battery. In a pinch, Pepsi works great

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 30, 2007 8:29 am

Yeah - I've read, on here, a bunch of threads about the negative battery post corroding beyond repair. I think I remember one guy went to clean his and the terminal just disintegrated as he started cleaning it. I took mine to the dealer and they didn't clean it very well at all... I had to go back in there with a small wire brush to clean out the rest or the corrosion.

I think the biggest problem with the negative side of the battery is that Jeep left off a plastic, or rubber, protective boot. A cover or boot would help minimize contact with the oxygen in the air and help to prevent the "gunk" build up.

So far I have gotten a good 4 years out of my stock battery. But now with higher loads at idle, the car seems to strain a little so I've been thinking of swapping out to an Optima red top.

Glad to hear you got it fixed up so fast!

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Tue Jan 30, 2007 9:34 am

I need to add that my terminal post was also very corroded. When we went to jump it, there was a lot of white crystal build up on the terminal. After we had cleaned it, we jumped it, and no problems since. There must have been something that caused it around that time period since it hasn't happened since. It had nothing to do with off-roading since i hadn't gone in a month.

KY Liberty · **Joined:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:46 pm **Posts:** 1195

Check and make sure you don't have a pinhole leak in your radiator in the upper corner on the driver's side. It's a very common problem and will contribute to the negative post corroding extremely fast. Completely disentigrated the bolt for the negative battery terminal on mine.

tcas1355 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 8:25 pm

I had the exact same problem with mine about 5 months ago. I had just had it washed at Delta Sonic, and also had the interior cleaned. About 2 hours after the wash, I went to start it, and nothing. My rear window release was "clicking", and when I turned the key, my gauges were all moving, when I turned my left turn signal on, my left overhead light would blink with it!!!! I then called Delta Sonic because I suspected it to be some kind of electrical problem from the wash (had interior done too). The Manager at Delta Sonic gave me over $100 in complimentary washes and detail packages, but I was still angry because it didn't help me at all with what I thought to be a huge electrical problem. About 1 hour after all that, I began to extensively look over my jeep and found out that all this was caused by a DEAD BATTERY !!!! the little green indicator light on the battery was gone !!! So I replaced the battery and it was perfect. Couldn't believe it !! At least I was able to keep my Jeep clean for a long time after that, LOL.

Completely Dead KJ Fixed

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