Deep water hole woes

Morks

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Sep 3, 2020
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Ontario
Went wheeling for the first time in awhile. The trails were flooded. Got into some nasty bog etc... Time to drive home no worries on the ride back (600km) except for a little bit of squeaking that sounded like TOB/ or some belt stuff. But no grinding or anything that worried me... Got home unpacked (30-35 min), then took my starter apart to give it a clean (20 min) put it all back started it (beacuse I have never cleaned a starter before but have gone through 3 so I figure now is the time with a new one) and no issues with a drained battery. Come to start this morning and I had completely nothing on the battery, The voltmeter read 0.00. I jumped it and off I went to work, 15 min away (jeep wanted to die a couple times at a stop light but when given gas the volt indicator moved slightly and would keep running. Jeep read 13.5 when running. Shut it off and the battery read 12.7. I let it sit for 30 min The battery was down to 11.2 and could not start. So I know I have a drain somewhere but can not get a reading on my multimeter for an amp draw when checking for a parastic drain.

1.) disconnect battery
2.) In amps or milliamp settings complete the circuit
3.) read the number ( I get nothing)

Before the trip I feel as if the battery was charging at 14.1 (or 13.7 cannot remember) was the last time I ever checked out my alternator. So just wondering where you would go from here. I can watch the voltage drop when I hook up my ground to the battery, so when not in use I unplug it hoping it'll start the next time haha.

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The last thing you did before you had this problem was to take your starter apart to clean it and put it back on. I'd disconnect the starter, then see if you are still getting the voltage drop when you hook up the ground to the battery. If not then something relating to your starter is where to look.
 
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The last thing you did before you had this problem was to take your starter apart to clean it and put it back on. I'd disconnect the starter, then see if you are still getting the voltage drop when you hook up the ground to the battery. If not then something relating to your starter is where to look.

Appreciate the reply. I did do that previously along with the alternator. Both of those disconnected at the same time and could still see the drop... Also for the squeal I was able to get it in neutral, the exact same that is off and on when driving. So I am going to rule out TOB and pilot bearing. What should I do for the starter to, pull back the loom and start checking? I also noticed when connecting the ground I get more of a spark than before. I will say when removing the starter my negative wire touching the ground a couple times, but that shouldn't matter.
 
Appreciate the reply. I did do that previously along with the alternator. Both of those disconnected at the same time and could still see the drop... Also for the squeal I was able to get it in neutral, the exact same that is off and on when driving. So I am going to rule out TOB and pilot bearing. What should I do for the starter to, pull back the loom and start checking? I also noticed when connecting the ground I get more of a spark than before. I will say when removing the starter my negative wire touching the ground a couple times, but that shouldn't matter.

To find your parasitic draw first charge the battery fully. Then make sure everything in the Jeep is turned off including stereo, interior lights etc. Remove the negative battery cable and hook up the multimeter. Then start pulling fuses one at a time. When you see the voltage drop stop then that last fuse you pulled will identify the circuit that has the draw. You can start chasing shorts etc from there.
 
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Yup I tried doing that, around 12.7-12.8 would be fully charged when not running correct?
 
Try charging the battery and then have it load tested at your local auto parts store . Sounds like you have a shorted cell .

Should I bring it in or could I load test it by cranking it while someone is at the voltmeter.
 
If you try cranking it , you’ll still be wondering if it is a starter issue . If you take it to have it load tested , you’ll either realize that’s the real problem or rule that out .
 
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If you try cranking it , you’ll still be wondering if it is a starter issue . If you take it to have it load tested , you’ll either realize that’s the real problem or rule that out .

True enough. Hopefully have enough time to bring it in tomorrow and get it tested, then start digging into the wiring more. I will update the thread.

Edit: I should mention the battery is maybe a year old, and the starter is 3 months old at most. Probably doesn't change much.
 
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Sounds to me like a shorted battery, that or a very large parasitic draw, but from 13V to 11 something in 1/2 an hour. We’re talking about like 10amps draw just from my seat of the pants calculation. That’s a lot of load.
 
Sounds to me like a shorted battery, that or a very large parasitic draw, but from 13V to 11 something in 1/2 an hour. We’re talking about like 10amps draw just from my seat of the pants calculation. That’s a lot of load.

Something should be hot, or warmer than ambient...
 
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Answering off my phone so I’ll have better replies if needed after my practice. But after driving the Jeep home from work I disconnected the battery and got it tested. The battery is 800 cca and measured 939 cca at 22 degrees Celsius and the volts were at 12.88. It is a lead acid battery. So I assume there is a draw somewhere.
 
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Most multimeters without an amp clamp have around a 10 amp fuse. Exceed that and it will pop. Might be why you get no reading? It obviously has a draw.so I'd be trying to borrow a meter with an amp clamp. Fluke makes good tools
 
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One thing to consider is how to troubleshoot, isolate, then activate.. till you find the problem. It should be apparent but sometimes a couple of problems will confuse you.. it does me all the time. Good luck
 
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Just getting back to trouble shooting the issue. Have been discconecting the -ve battery temrinal whenever I kill the jeep. I have my buddies multimeter good for 400 amps. I went to check yesterday after picking it up, no draw, and now the battery seems like it's holding 12.8 when sitting. I am installing some control arms right now and will get a few done, check voltage again and repeat. Have to clean out the engine bay as well, so will check for battery draw once everything is wet again. Still looking for the pesky squeak as well, lol.
 
Yeah hopefully. Tonight will be the first time I leave it overnight connected so if it fires up I think I'll be good. Trying to think of the best way to solve that issue in the bush. Everywhere I wheel has deep water to some degree. Thinking I may need a jump pack and if she ever dies due to a similar issue so I can get it going that first time and disconnect the battery from there.