Major electrical issue

Powerline1972

Powerline1972

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Joined
Jul 21, 2023
Messages
33
Location
Peoria
I have a question I hope you can help me with, I had a crank no start problem so I started changing parts, and of course the problem has gotten worse, I have no crank, no back up lights, no odbII PORT, no rear lights , the gages needles don’t move, the battery shows 13.5 volts,I cannot jump the starter at the fuse box. The starter works on the bench, headlights work but DONT dim when I turn the key, the ignition switch is brand new, so I need some guidance here
 
How do the battery terminals look? Have you checked grounds? Specifically the ones to the starter, firewall and under the speaker covers on the dash? How about the connections to the PDC?

What year and engine?

Have you pulled the FSM out of the resources section and gone through the wiring diagrams?

I just fixed my ODB power...the pin corroded out and the PO had stripped the wire and jammed it into the hole. On my 97 it's fuse 17 on the PDC and that also rubs the under hood light.

-Mac
 
macleanflood said:
How do the battery terminals look? Have you checked grounds? Specifically the ones to the starter, firewall and under the speaker covers on the dash? How about the connections to the PDC?

What year and engine?

Have you pulled the FSM out of the resources section and gone through the wiring diagrams?

I just fixed my ODB power...the pin corroded out and the PO had stripped the wire and jammed it into the hole. On my 97 it's fuse 17 on the PDC and that also rubs the under hood light.

-Mac
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Hey, Mac

The battery is pretty good, about 5 yrs old but terms are clean, the starter is grounded but I never thought to check under the dash, , ill check that after I finish here. My Jeep is a 2004 2.4L Auto trans, no a/c. On your ODB did you fix no power or not reading? my scanner shows power at the port but it won't read codes. My FSM wiring diagram shows passenger side fuse box and fuse 18#? runs cigeretts/gages, it's 10:56 now, I'm going out to the jeep , let you know what I find, thanks.
 
You’re “troubleshooting” electrical issues using a 5 year old battery, which indicates 12.5 VDC on the bench?
The starter works on the bench but not in the Jeep, and all other issues described suggest the battery is shot.
The FIRST thing to do is to have the battery LOAD TESTED.
I’ll bet that as soon as there’s a draw on it, the voltage drops and it cannot support the current required for the starter to engage.

I strongly recommend a new battery.
 
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Mine had data but no power... opposite problem to your issue.

I'd certainly load test that battery.

Might want to pull the plugs on the ECM and inspect the connections while you have it out. Data on the ODB port pretty much run straight to the ECM.

-Mac
 
Powerline1972 said:
I have a question I hope you can help me with, I had a crank no start problem so I started changing parts, and of course the problem has gotten worse, I have no crank, no back up lights, no odbII PORT, no rear lights , the gages needles don’t move, the battery shows 13.5 volts,I cannot jump the starter at the fuse box. The starter works on the bench, headlights work but DONT dim when I turn the key, the ignition switch is brand new, so I need some guidance here
Click to expand...

Do you own a voltmeter or test light? Do you know how to use them?
Check and charge the battery. Measure battery voltage should be at least 12.4 volts. Make sure cables are clean in the area that contacts the battery post. Make sure the are tight.
Check fuses # 22 & #6 in PDC ( power Distribution Center, fuse box under hood) check fuse #20 in fuse box behind glove box. Replace any blown fuses. Check voltage at battery it should stay above 10 volts while trying to crank it over. If it doesn’t crank check the voltage at the starter. The small wire should get battery voltage while cranking if it doesn’t have voltage need to check the relay circuit. If it does have voltage, check the voltage at the battery cable on the starter while cranking. Report back what you find.
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WestCoastDan said:
You’re “troubleshooting” electrical issues using a 5 year old battery, which indicates 12.5 VDC on the bench?
The starter works on the bench but not in the Jeep, and all other issues described suggest the battery is shot.
The FIRST thing to do is to have the battery LOAD TESTED.
I’ll bet that as soon as there’s a draw on it, the voltage drops and it cannot support the current required for the starter to engage.

I strongly recommend a new battery.
Click to expand...
 
NskLJ said:
NskLJ said:
Do you own a voltmeter or test light? Do you know how to use them?
Check and charge the battery. Measure battery voltage should be at least 12.4 volts. Make sure cables are clean in the area that contacts the battery post. Make sure the are tight.
Check fuses # 22 & #6 in PDC ( power Distribution Center, fuse box under hood) check fuse #20 in fuse box behind glove box. Replace any blown fuses. Check voltage at battery it should stay above 10 volts while trying to crank it over. If it doesn’t crank check the voltage at the starter. The small wire should get battery voltage while cranking if it doesn’t have voltage need to check the relay circuit. If it does have voltage, check the voltage at the battery cable on the starter while cranking. Report back what you find.
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i brought a voltmeter to be honest I have to learn how to use but I have a basic understanding, double checked my battery connection, checked #22 then #6, Both ok, checked under the dash and found a mess of spliced wires and two blown fuses (#20 was fine)
Click to expand...
NskLJ said:
Do you own a voltmeter or test light? Do you know how to use them?
Check and charge the battery. Measure battery voltage should be at least 12.4 volts. Make sure cables are clean in the area that contacts the battery post. Make sure the are tight.
Check fuses # 22 & #6 in PDC ( power Distribution Center, fuse box under hood) check fuse #20 in fuse box behind glove box. Replace any blown fuses. Check voltage at battery it should stay above 10 volts while trying to crank it over. If it doesn’t crank check the voltage at the starter. The small wire should get battery voltage while cranking if it doesn’t have voltage need to check the relay circuit. If it does have voltage, check the voltage at the battery cable on the starter while cranking. Report back what you find.
View attachment 450500

View attachment 450501

View attachment 450502
Click to expand...
macleanflood said:
Mine had data but no power... opposite problem to your issue.

I'd certainly load test that battery.

Might want to pull the plugs on the ECM and inspect the connections while you have it out. Data on the ODB port pretty much run straight to the ECM.

-Mac
Click to expand...

I found a blown fuse at the fuse box, the No# 1, rear lights, also checked harnesses at the ignition switch and multi switch found the harness on the multi switch had overheated at some point, looks like some of the connections shorted out

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It seems to be a fairly common problem. I put my headlights on their own relays with the MFS just controlling the relay.
 
Powerline1972 said:
I found a blown fuse at the fuse box, the No# 1, rear lights, also checked harnesses at the ignition switch and multi switch found the harness on the multi switch had overheated at some point, looks like some of the connections shorted out

View attachment 451055
Click to expand...

Same thing happened to my multi switch, and the insulation was missing from the ignition wire where the spade connector connects to the starter.

I replaced the multi switch, multi switch plug, and spliced in good wiring to the starter. Doing so resolved my starting issues.

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Edit: IIRC, I also found my ASD fuse blown. My memory is fuzzy on that one but I wanted to mention it just in case it can be helpful.
 
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Danarch said:
Certainly doesn’t look good. I’d look at replacing it. Curious what caused it though.
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Fwiw, I don’t know what caused the plug to get hot in my case. The switch looked worn and I’ve had bad multi-switches cause funky issues in Chevy and Ford trucks, so it was well worth $60-$80 to remove that variable for now.
 
Mikee024 said:
Same thing happened to my multi switch, and the insulation was missing from the ignition wire where the spade connector connects to the starter.

I replaced the multi switch, multi switch plug, and spliced in good wiring to the starter. Doing so resolved my starting issues.

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Edit: IIRC, I also found my ASD fuse blown. My memory is fuzzy on that one but I wanted to mention it just in case it can be helpful.
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Thats just like what I had however I decided used the existing wires and terminals and just finished 30 mins ago and the Jeep tuns over. BTW, dude you have great craftsmanship there, you bundled the wires beautifully.
 
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Powerline1972 said:
Got a new set in yesterday and finished installing it about 30 minus ago and I got it to crank for the first time since mid July, Thanks! My confidence just went way up. Time for a burger and a shake! Lol..
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Nice work man! Glad you got it figured out and can be more confident in your rig moving forward.
 
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