My jeep has had a hard time starting the last few days. See attached video, would a bad battery cause this?
Would a bad battery cause this?
- Thread starter Nick21
- Start date
Two possibilities are most likely responsible for that. A weak/nearly dead battery or loose or dirty/corroded battery connections. Start by physically removing both battery connections and thoroughly cleaning the battery posts and inside of the connectors with a wire battery brush. If that doesn't help your battery is either weak/dead and in need of an overnight charge, or it's bad and needs to be replaced. A "load test" performed on the battery by someone who knows what they're doing is the only way to know for sure the battery's true health.
I took my battery in to Advance Auto to have it checked yesterday. Although it was reading 12.5v, it only had 110 cranking amps. You can not rely on voltage alone to know battery condition
Great news it that it had 2 months left on the warranty and they let me upgrade to an AGM battery for $60.
I had been running with the battery from my second TJ but kept getting a no power condition. Had to wiggle the connectors to make decent contact. The terminals were old and had welded themselves together so it was impossible to tighten them down. I cut off the terminals and installed new lugs ( yes @Jerry Bransford , I crimped those on ...lol) and used the "military style" terminals. Went together really nicely and now starts every time.
If you choose to go this route, get a good crimper (I'm using a Temco hydraulic crimper), tinned copper lugs, and use the fastronix terminals from Amazon.
Great news it that it had 2 months left on the warranty and they let me upgrade to an AGM battery for $60.
I had been running with the battery from my second TJ but kept getting a no power condition. Had to wiggle the connectors to make decent contact. The terminals were old and had welded themselves together so it was impossible to tighten them down. I cut off the terminals and installed new lugs ( yes @Jerry Bransford , I crimped those on ...lol) and used the "military style" terminals. Went together really nicely and now starts every time.
If you choose to go this route, get a good crimper (I'm using a Temco hydraulic crimper), tinned copper lugs, and use the fastronix terminals from Amazon.
Rubicon John
TJ Enthusiast
Can you guys tell me if this is a good kit or would you substitute anything here for something superior?
Fastronix Military Spec Battery Terminal Top Post Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X36RILW/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Edit: I see these ends are for 2 awg wire. My TJ has what looks like 8 or 10 gauge if I remember right.
Fastronix Military Spec Battery Terminal Top Post Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X36RILW/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Edit: I see these ends are for 2 awg wire. My TJ has what looks like 8 or 10 gauge if I remember right.
@Rubicon John I used 6 gauge 3/8" ends for all 4 wires. The insulation on the positive to fuse box is thinner than the other wires. 4 gauge lugs were too loose and 8 gauge was a little too tight.
I bought the lugs in 25 packs from Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O5B6ONC/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Can't overemphasize a good crimper. Here is what I bought
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HJXHX1K/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Maybe someone can turn those into TJ forum links so @Chris gets paid.
I bought the lugs in 25 packs from Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O5B6ONC/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Can't overemphasize a good crimper. Here is what I bought
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HJXHX1K/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Maybe someone can turn those into TJ forum links so @Chris gets paid.
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I am using this kit on my Jeep and it works fine. I replaced all the positive and ground cables at the same time, to include the alternator cable. I used pure copper wire. The newest TJ is 14 years old. Cables and terminals are basic maintenance items to be inspected frequently and replaced as needed. When I was a young mechanic at a local garage in Vermont, everytime we did an oil change we spent an extra ten minutes checking every fluid, belt, hose, battery and cable. We looked over the vehicles for routine flaws. Maybe I am wrong, but shops today tend to focus strictly on the issues in front of them and don't look for flaws the customer didn't complain about. 99.9% of the time the customer asked you to fix what you found and thanked you profusely. Vehicles are more maintenance and trouble free today, but due diligence is still necessary.
@Flivver250 your point is sound about replacing all of the cables. Mine were still in good shape and the ends seemed like a much easier quick win. At some point, when I'm done getting both of these Jeeps ready, I'll revisit replacing the cables as you did.
Vermont, huh? They have cars up there? Thought it was just Dairy Cows and Maple Syrup. Just kidding... I was actually born in Burlington.
Vermont, huh? They have cars up there? Thought it was just Dairy Cows and Maple Syrup. Just kidding... I was actually born in Burlington.
Did you use a section of fusible link for the alternator? If so what gauge fusible link did you use?
I lived in Barre, Burlington, Underhill Center and Jericho. Loved it, but alas, it has been taxed into oblivion. I also don't miss the salt. There is something rewarding about replacing the cables and terminals. It gives some peace of mind knowing you may still have problems, but not cable problems.
I did not use a fusable link in my replacement cable. I replaced it temporarily with a new wire, the cable with a fusable link arrived yesterday oddly enough. Maybe will install this weekend along with a few other widgets that arrived.
We lived in Essex Junction until I was 8, then moved south. My Dad still complains about the salt that claimed 2 cars and a camper during the time my folks lived there.
I couldn't agree more about the peace of mind fixing the cables gives you. Easy and super satisfying.
Jericho is the next town up from Essex Junction. It was where IBM slept. I always had a nice classic of some sort, kept in the barn during the salt season. Owning winter beaters was SOP. One guy I knew had a rusty 65 GTO with a 389 tri-power as a winter car. It broke my heart. Four on the floor and posi. I was worth saving, but he didn't care. I offered him double what he paid for it ($400) but he would sell. IBM dude with a Saab. He will go to the fiery pits of hell.
That's why we were there. Dad did 35 years at IBM. Vermont to East Fishkill to Austin. One of the cars he lost to rust in VT was a 67 Plymouth Belvedere Convertible. To this day, he misses that car.
Rubicon John
TJ Enthusiast