Jeep doesn't want to start unless I put it on the charger

Mercy'04Wrangler

Mercy'04Wrangler

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Problem jeep don't wanna start unless I put in on the charger.
History: bought it last Feb bought brand new battery, starter, ignition starter thingy. Hit the road went to Fla & back then Arizona & back .. no issues. Sure it's cold here in Maine right now but, wtf. Took it to Napa guy said voltage regulator so now brand new alternator too. Since I've had it tho it's has to start on the 3rd cran when it hasn't been driven for a bit. I think that has something to do with my issue somehow? I could certainly be wrong tho. My ex says prolly just loose wire on starter or bad ground ,that just doesn't make sense to me. Any thoughts ... before I have to go deal with him " fixing" it ?
 
I did the key thing you guys taught me to bring up the code and tried to tell the napa guy and my ex. They just ignored me and used their code reader, which read my battery was putting out 15 something.
 
What code did you get?
If it starts after you charge the battery that suggests the battery is getting drawn down while sitting. Perform a parasitic battery draw test, plenty of u tube videos on how to do that, not hard. That will tell you what circuit is drawing power from the battery while the Jeep is sitting.
 
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Mac57 said:
What code did you get?
If it starts after you charge the battery that suggests the battery is getting drawn down while sitting. Perform a parasitic battery draw test, plenty of u tube videos on how to do that, not hard. That will tell you what circuit is drawing power from the battery while the Jeep is sitting.
Click to expand...

I'll throw a coat on and go get the code again. Ty
 
starting on the 3rd crank after sitting for a while is not a battery issue. That's more likely that something in the fuel system is bleeding off the fuel pressure and it takes until the third crank to build it back up again.

Does it start back up fine when it's only sat for a day, and then get worse the longer it sits? Or does it have trouble even when it's been recently driven? (this can tell us whether it's a charging problem or a drain on the battery when it sits).
 
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Mercy'04Wranler said:
Problem jeep don't wanna start unless I put in on the charger.
History: bought it last Feb bought brand new battery, starter, ignition starter thingy. Hit the road went to Fla & back then Arizona & back .. no issues. Sure it's cold here in Maine right now but, wtf. Took it to Napa guy said voltage regulator so now brand new alternator too. Since I've had it tho it's has to start on the 3rd cran when it hasn't been driven for a bit. I think that has something to do with my issue somehow? I could certainly be wrong tho. My ex says prolly just loose wire on starter or bad ground ,that just doesn't make sense to me. Any thoughts ... before I have to go deal with him " fixing" it ?
Click to expand...

What about the voltage regulator? What did the Napa guy actually say or sell you as a result? On the TJ (I believe) the voltage regulator is in the ECU.

And what do you mean about starting on the third crank? Do you mean it takes two or three turns of the key to start, or it takes the engine turning over several times in order to start?
 
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Mercy'04Wranler said:
Also, I still have power inside.
Click to expand...

NashvilleTJ said:
What about the voltage regulator? What did the Napa guy actually say or sell you as a result? On the TJ (I believe) the voltage regulator is in the ECU.

And what do you mean about starting on the third crank? Do you mean it takes two or three turns of the key to start, or it takes the engine turning over several times in order to start?
Click to expand...

I got a brand new alternator cuz ex told me it was built in to it. Crank once then twice tries to turn over but doesn't, unless it's warm, third cranks always a start. I also put new plugs in last March. Tried to bring the code up just now and it just says " done" ... dunno wtf... the code i read the other day started with p .
 
Your post title says it won't start unless you put a charger on it. That's a low battery issue. Now you are saying it always starts after 2, 3 cranks. If thats the case then likely you have a fuel pressure issue as freedom in 4low posted. Are you having to charge the battery first just to get it to crank and then it takes 2 or 3 cranks to fire up? You may have 2 issues here.
 
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Mercy'04Wranler said:
I got a brand new alternator cuz ex told me it was built in to it.
Click to expand...

he's ex for a reason, right? Might wanna stop listening 'cause I'm pretty sure @NashvilleTJ is correct that the voltage is regulated by the PCM, not by a regulator built into the alternator like many other vehicles.

Mercy'04Wranler said:
Crank once then twice tries to turn over but doesn't, unless it's warm, third cranks always a start. I also put new plugs in last March.
Click to expand...

I don't want to come across as pedantic but people use this terminology differently and crank and no start, vs no crank, are two very different things. What does "turn over" mean to you? Some people use that to mean the starter cranked but the engine didn't fire, others use it to say it didn't crank.

Crank = starter is spinning the engine
engine fires but doesn't start = engine fired at the end of a crank but didn't take off and run
start = engine fires and begins to run
no crank = may hear a click, or nothing
instrument cluster doing weird things may also be relevant

Making sure we're speaking the same language will help us help you know whether to go chase loose wires or change a fuel pump, for instance.

Mercy'04Wranler said:
Tried to bring the code up just now and it just says " done" ... dunno wtf... the code i read the other day started with p .
Click to expand...

that means there's no codes, which means it's probably unrelated or has been reset recently enough as to not be thrown again yet...or the Jeep is just "done" and tired of being messed with. :ROFLMAO:
 
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Mercy'04Wranler said:
I'll throw a coat on and go get the code again. Ty
Click to expand...

Mac57 said:
Your post title says it won't start unless you put a charger on it. That's a low battery issue. Now you are saying it always starts after 2, 3 cranks. If thats the case then likely you have a fuel pressure issue as freedom in 4low posted. Are you having to charge the battery first just to get it to crank and then it takes 2 or 3 cranks to fire up? You may have 2 issues here.
Click to expand...

Well it did always start like that until few days ago. Still have power inside just won't turn over until I throw the charger out.
 
Mercy'04Wranler said:
Mercy'04Wranler said:
I got a brand new alternator cuz ex told me it was built in to it.
Click to expand...


My ex says prolly just loose wire on starter or bad ground ,that just doesn't make sense to me. Any thoughts ... before I have to go deal with him " fixing" it
Click to expand...

I see a pattern going on here. They're called exes for a reason. ;) Are the battery cables clean?
 
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freedom_in_4low said:
he's ex for a reason, right? Might wanna stop listening 'cause I'm pretty sure @NashvilleTJ is correct that the voltage is regulated by the PCM, not by a regulator built into the alternator like many other vehicles.



I don't want to come across as pedantic but people use this terminology differently and crank and no start, vs no crank, are two very different things. What does "turn over" mean to you? Some people use that to mean the starter cranked but the engine didn't fire, others use it to say it didn't crank.

Crank = starter is spinning the engine
engine fires but doesn't start = engine fired at the end of a crank but didn't take off and run
start = engine fires and begins to run
no crank = may hear a click, or nothing
instrument cluster doing weird things may also be relevant

Making sure we're speaking the same language will help us help you know whether to go chase loose wires or change a fuel pump, for instance.



that means there's no codes, which means it's probably unrelated or has been reset recently enough as to not be thrown again yet...or the Jeep is just "done" and tired of being messed with. :ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...

It took me 2 cranks and a start up until a few days ago now I turn key and get click, have power inside.
 
freedom_in_4low said:
he's ex for a reason, right? Might wanna stop listening 'cause I'm pretty sure @NashvilleTJ is correct that the voltage is regulated by the PCM, not by a regulator built into the alternator like many other vehicles.



I don't want to come across as pedantic but people use this terminology differently and crank and no start, vs no crank, are two very different things. What does "turn over" mean to you? Some people use that to mean the starter cranked but the engine didn't fire, others use it to say it didn't crank.

Crank = starter is spinning the engine
engine fires but doesn't start = engine fired at the end of a crank but didn't take off and run
start = engine fires and begins to run
no crank = may hear a click, or nothing
instrument cluster doing weird things may also be relevant

Making sure we're speaking the same language will help us help you know whether to go chase loose wires or change a fuel pump, for instance.



that means there's no codes, which means it's probably unrelated or has been reset recently enough as to not be thrown again yet...or the Jeep is just "done" and tired of being messed
Click to expand...
Gr
TheBoogieman said:
Let him/ex fix it and bring a new BF with you and let him drive it. That always goes over well. 🤫
Click to expand...

Great idea, he's already pissed at everyone on here who helps me lol. Any volunteers. Ahahaha
 
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Getting just a click when turning the key is either electrical connection problem or low battery voltage. Check all cables, connections for corrosion and tightness. Do the parasitic draw test as well. Did Napa load test your battery when you were there?

Taking 2 to 3 cranks to start is likely fuel pressure. The system is not holding pressure like it should while the Jeep is sitting resulting in the fuel pump having to pump fuel from the tank back up to the engine to get it to start again.
 
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Mac57 said:
Getting just a click when turning the key is either electrical connection problem or low battery voltage. Check all cables, connections for corrosion and tightness. Do the parasitic draw test as well. Did Napa load test your battery when you were there?

Taking 2 to 3 cranks to start is likely fuel pressure. The system is not holding pressure like it should while the Jeep is sitting resulting in the fuel pump having to pump fuel from the tank back up to the engine to get it to start again.
Click to expand...

Yeah battery tested was fine. But that fuel pressure thing seems bout right.
 
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