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 Post subject: Isolated starting / electrical issue
PostPosted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 9:59 am 
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Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2013 7:01 am
Posts: 140
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
hey all, man I searched extensively, but didn't come up with anything related. Maybe I'm using the wrong terms.

electrical deets
2003 3.7L 4x4 sport
aftermarket H/U - all connections soldered, shrinkwrapped and double checked against wiring diagram (used successfully in 2 other vehicles)
new front component speakers - all connections soldered, shrinkwrapped and double checked for polarity (I did not use the new passive crossover however...just wired in new ones in place of old...problem?)
everything else is stock electrically
700CCA older Cdn Tire battery, no significant corrosion on the terminals, recently cleaned and lubed with dielectric - very small amount of the powder under (not between clamp and pole) the negative clamp, nothing between or on the clamp.
Battery cables in good condition, newish clamps, double checked that they were tight on the terminals

I have had zero electrical problems until one day a couple weeks ago. It started normally after work, ran smoothly, drove about 5 blocks, parked it, windows up, doors locked as usual while I stopped for 3 minutes to pick something up.

Come back, fob doesn't work. Unlock the door with the key, go to start it - NOTHING on. Not even the mileage would show up. Only one faint click after turning the key, but windows wouldn't even work, power locks nope. No tools either. At least I had cables.

Asked for a boost from a lady with a focus - didn't work. Only a couple very very weak turns, then one slightly louder click. I even tried different grounding locations. So I headed to Costco, bought the biggest battery I could fit (780 iirc) and boosted it a few times then shoved the new battery in the back seat of the jeep (not hooked up). I couldn't keep it running at idle unless I had the gas pedal slightly depressed. It would rev normally, but then the rpm would just fall and then it would die. I eventually was able to boost it and keep it running, but the whole way home (8-10 mins) it needed gas at idle and the dash lights were on off on off, gas gauge needle up and down, chimes going off every 10-12 seconds....CHAOS.

Got home, turned it off and tried to restart - DEAD. Swapped out the alternator with a new one (old batt still in at this point), fair bit better, dash lights were not flashing as quickly, but headlights would go bright/very dim/flickery with the rpm. So, swapped in the new battery and tadaaaaaa purrs like a kitten.

What's going on??? I haven't re-swapped back to the old stuff to troubleshoot yet - anyone else had a similar experience?

Cheers? :?

_________________
03 KJ Sport - black
4xGuard engine skid
235/85/16 Hankook ATM
OME 927/Ironman, 1/4" plate, 3-ring clevis 21.5"
OME 948/OME + 2 Iso's Rear 22"
JBA UCAs
Bumper and winch
2x5 rockers/steps
Dynomax Ultra-Flo Welded
Custom pinstriping
Custom rear interior shelf
SS drop table
Soon:
Rear bumper
WRX seats
All the skids


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 Post subject: Re: Isolated starting / electrical issue
PostPosted: Thu Aug 14, 2014 4:31 am 
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LOST Junkie

Joined: Tue Jan 26, 2010 4:26 am
Posts: 844
Location: Hoedspruit , South Africa
Sounds like a typical bad battery or bad battery-connections problem....not unusual at all.

The KJ goes totally crazy if the battery or connections are bad. :wink:

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2002 Export CRD 2.5 Sport


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 Post subject: Re: Isolated starting / electrical issue
PostPosted: Thu Aug 14, 2014 8:29 am 
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LOST Member

Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2013 7:01 am
Posts: 140
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Seems nuts that it would happen out of the blue with absolutely no warning signs.

The weirdest thing to me is that the battery was fine prior to going into that store and I checked all connections too.

_________________
03 KJ Sport - black
4xGuard engine skid
235/85/16 Hankook ATM
OME 927/Ironman, 1/4" plate, 3-ring clevis 21.5"
OME 948/OME + 2 Iso's Rear 22"
JBA UCAs
Bumper and winch
2x5 rockers/steps
Dynomax Ultra-Flo Welded
Custom pinstriping
Custom rear interior shelf
SS drop table
Soon:
Rear bumper
WRX seats
All the skids


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Isolated starting / electrical issue
PostPosted: Fri Aug 15, 2014 12:35 pm 
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LOST Member

Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2013 7:01 am
Posts: 140
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
So, do others agree with Billwill?

_________________
03 KJ Sport - black
4xGuard engine skid
235/85/16 Hankook ATM
OME 927/Ironman, 1/4" plate, 3-ring clevis 21.5"
OME 948/OME + 2 Iso's Rear 22"
JBA UCAs
Bumper and winch
2x5 rockers/steps
Dynomax Ultra-Flo Welded
Custom pinstriping
Custom rear interior shelf
SS drop table
Soon:
Rear bumper
WRX seats
All the skids


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Isolated starting / electrical issue
PostPosted: Sat Aug 16, 2014 12:22 pm 
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LOST Junkie
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Joined: Thu Mar 14, 2013 9:19 pm
Posts: 523
With anything having to do with electrical, I make it a rule to agree with Billwill. This is his specialty.

Apart from that rule, I'd agree with him on this anyway. The KJ is hugely sensitive to power supply changes; any minor change results in all kinds of weirdness.

_________________
2005 Liberty Renegade, Bright Silver Metallic


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 Post subject: Re: Isolated starting / electrical issue
PostPosted: Sun Aug 17, 2014 4:38 am 
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LOST Junkie

Joined: Tue Jan 26, 2010 4:26 am
Posts: 844
Location: Hoedspruit , South Africa
Leeann wrote:
With anything having to do with electrical, I make it a rule to agree with Billwill. This is his specialty.

Apart from that rule, I'd agree with him on this anyway. The KJ is hugely sensitive to power supply changes; any minor change results in all kinds of weirdness.


You say the nicest things Leean :oops: :oops: :oops:

_________________
2002 Export CRD 2.5 Sport


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 Post subject: Re: Isolated starting / electrical issue
PostPosted: Sun Aug 17, 2014 11:20 am 
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LOST Junkie
User avatar

Joined: Thu Mar 14, 2013 9:19 pm
Posts: 523
Billwill wrote:
Leeann wrote:
With anything having to do with electrical, I make it a rule to agree with Billwill. This is his specialty.

Apart from that rule, I'd agree with him on this anyway. The KJ is hugely sensitive to power supply changes; any minor change results in all kinds of weirdness.


You say the nicest things Leean :oops: :oops: :oops:



But it's true :wink:

_________________
2005 Liberty Renegade, Bright Silver Metallic


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