Clunk... Battery issue?

[Blank]

I have been trying to figure out what the issue with my pig. i went out to run a quick errand the other day and i turn the key then clunk...battery is dead charge it and go on. being that is was turkey day i left it on a charger for a few hhours then re inspected boom my cables were loose cranked them down then till it did it the other day and yesterday. when it happens i wiggle the calbles then it works again. im at a loss im gonna take the battery in to get tested.

also from time time it will have a low idle and kinda surge when trying to get her rolling.

 

[ac_]

Well it sounds like your cables are loose.

Here is my suggestion.
Clean the terminals and the battery. I mean a good post cleaner is good. Usually it has a brush on one side and an inside brush for the battery terminals. Then put the terminals on tight so you cannot wiggle them. Then put it on a trickle charger while you sleep. Then take it to get the charging/battery system checked. You are looking for a volt/amp check and a load check. I think even parts stores can do it, most likely free.

But if your battery is not fully charged, it will fail the load test most likely so take it with a fully charged battery.

If you have a volt meter you can do it yourself.
You do not want loose terminals. If you cannot tighten them you should replace them

 

[JamesAndTheSahara]

I have been trying to figure out what the issue with my pig. i went out to run a quick errand the other day and i turn the key then clunk...battery is dead charge it and go on. being that is was turkey day i left it on a charger for a few hhours then re inspected boom my cables were loose cranked them down then till it did it the other day and yesterday. when it happens i wiggle the calbles then it works again. im at a loss im gonna take the battery in to get tested.

also from time time it will have a low idle and kinda surge when trying to get her rolling.

Have them test the alternator too.

 

[Blank]

Have them test the alternator too.

cool thanks man

 

[Kiwi TJ]

A simple test to check if its the alternator or the battery is by starting your car and then unplugging the positive connection of the battery. If the car stops, then you most likely have a problem with the alternator if it keep running then its the battery.

 

[Blank]

A simple test to check if its the alternator or the battery is by starting your car and then unplugging the positive connection of the battery. If the car stops, then you most likely have a problem with the alternator if it keep running then its the battery.

thanks ill have to try that

 

[Kiwi TJ]

thanks ill have to try that

Yeah give it a go, It worked for my TJ...The test showed it was the battery ..bought a new one and many miles later, no more probs.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

A simple test to check if its the alternator or the battery is by starting your car and then unplugging the positive connection of the battery. If the car stops, then you most likely have a problem with the alternator if it keep running then its the battery.

No, that hasn't been a valid test for many years. Not since alternators stopped being self-excited and started being excited by the battery. Most alternators and all Jeep alternators in the last 25 years run off of and require a good battery. If the battery is dead or disconnected the engine wont run since the alternator won't work so it can't power the ignition system. If you disconnect the battery while the engine is running, the engine will only run for a short period until the magnetic exciter field inside the alternator dies.

Which is the same reason a modern Jeep cannot be push-started if the battery is completely dead. Don't confuse that with being able to push start a Jeep whose battery is only too low to start it. A battery can be too weak to start a Jeep but still have enough juice left to power the alternator. But if the battery is truly dead, you can't push-start or roll-start a TJ. And it will not run well enough or long enough to drive it after jump starting a completely dead battery unless you leave the jump start battery connected so the alternator can charge the dead battery. Which is why we can no longer use our alternators to charge our batteries when they're dead.

 

[AtlWrangler99]

What is the best battery to buy for a TJ @Jerry Bransford?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

What is the best battery to buy for a TJ @Jerry Bransford?

The very best I'm aware of is the Odyssey PC1500 in a Group 34 size, or the PC1500DT (dual terminal) Group 34/78 size if you have a winch. Bosch Platinum has a good reputation too.

 

[ac_]

The very best I'm aware of is the Odyssey PC1500 in a Group 34 size, or the PC1500DT (dual terminal) Group 34/78 size if you have a winch. Bosch Platinum has a good reputation too.

Wow they don't give those things away do they? haha

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Wow they don't give those things away do they? haha

Yeah Odyssey batteries are not cheap at all but they do typically outlast most batteries by a substantial amount. I'd just go with the best Group 34 size AGM you can find that fits your budget.

 

[Egadz]

This is all it took for my 06 to demonstrate all the bad behavior around dead batteries and alternators, etc leaving me stranded at Menard’s this morning.

10min with a wire brush and retorquing all the terminals and we are all better.

I think in the near future these will all need some upgrading...

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Going with an AGM battery will halt that corrosion. Conventional batteries vent sulphuric acid fumes which corrode battery connections.