Almost4x4

Hi all,

I hadn't driven my TJ 1999 for several months over the summer. As expected the battery went dead. I replaced the battery and it was all okay. Parked the car for a week again, started it over the weekend and the new battery is totally dead too. Any idea whats wrong? When I tried starting it a week later, it just gave me a clicking sound. now it doesnt even give that sound.

Any inputs would help. Thanks.

Fat Rabbit;44615 wrote:Hi all,

I hadn't driven my TJ 1999 for several months over the summer. As expected the battery went dead. I replaced the battery and it was all okay. Parked the car for a week again, started it over the weekend and the new battery is totally dead too. Any idea whats wrong? When I tried starting it a week later, it just gave me a clicking sound. now it doesnt even give that sound.

Any inputs would help. Thanks.

Dear Fat Rabibit,
Try to do jump start, if it starts then it maybe the battery problem. Check the specifications of your new battery, recommended CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) is 550 to 600.
If your car doesn't jump starts then there is a possibility that starter motor is damaged as you didn't drive your car for several months.

High probably your alternator is dead and is not charging battery, or belt is loose and slipping. Any alarm lights on the dashboard?

First of all jump start the car . If it crancks fine and the engine runs leave it on for 30 Minutes to give chance for the battery to recharge .
After recharging battery , put on your head lights , audio system and A/C . then check battery voltage gauge , if it doesnt drop under 12.8 V then your alternator is fine.
Start checking for power drainage ( a forgotten cabin light or a device hooked to ciggarets lighter .... etc ) , if there isnt any , switch off the car and switch on , if the car didnt start then you may have an alternator problem , If the starter crancks normally and the engine runs fine then its eiether a defaulted battery or you have a power leake some where and the car should be checked by a specialist .

caprihorse;44617 wrote:High probably your alternator is dead and is not charging battery, or belt is loose and slipping. Any alarm lights on the dashboard?

It came to my mind now... when your engine is running, just disconnect the battery cables and see if the engine is still running. If yes, the alternator is OK, and the problem is somewhere else.

Nopes, no warning lights on the dashboard. When I jump started the TJ then removed the cables, the car engine stopped again. So I jumped it again and had to keep the cables on from the other car for several minutes before removing them. Kept the TJ engine running for about 30 mins. Tried to start again and it would not start. Will try the other stuff mentioned and lets see.

Still no luck :( Now I am just going to change the battery (again) and go to the Almost4x4 garage on Saturday morning. Why worry when the experts are there :)

Went to the Almost4x4 garage.... yaaayyyyyyy what an amaaaaazing work they did. no worries any more, I drive Roxanne with total peace of mind now. They changed some of the electrical wiring inside and put in a couple of new relays. I also learned that I wasn't switching off the car properly (now that's embarrassing). They did a couple of extra thingies too, and made me good to go. Thank you Almost4x4 Garage.

Looking forward to the All Newbie New Year 2016 drive... returning to the scene after a 2-year study leave.