Proactive Steps After Jeep Died Suddenly

[Not_Invented_Here_]

TL;DR - my question is: what can I proactively check after my Jeep just died on me as I arrived home over lunch break? It started back up almost right away, got it in the driveway, and then I drove it back to work 30 minutes after that with no issues.



Just like title says, I had just arrived home and was about to back into my driveway when everything went quiet. No warning, no odd sound, just sudden silence. Jeep was totally off. I put it in park, turned the key off, and got out - no leaks, no sounds, nothing out of ordinary. Only odd thing I noticed was that my gas gauge seemed like it was reading low when it died/upon start up. I filled up last night. I was using the O/D off button at the time this happened too, something I almost never do.

Got back in, turned key, let dash and electronics come on, then started right up. The idle has been a little low and rough lately but it smooths out pretty quickly. Other minor ongoing issues but not that I think would be related?

2004, 42rle auto trans, just under 104k miles. Only other thing I've done recently is replace spark plugs and then belt/tensioner/pulley two weeks ago, installed rear bumper yesterday. I did have to lightly fiddle with gas tank skid but nothing major... I've had zero issues before this.

 

[toximus]

Are your battery terminals clean and tight?

 

[Not_Invented_Here_]

Are your battery terminals clean and tight?

Fairly, yes. Had to mess with them last month for that exact reason, they weren't.

 

[Not_Invented_Here_]

Sorry just found this thread - reading now

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/another-jeep-dies-while-driving-thread.10432/

 

[toximus]

Fairly, yes. Had to mess with them last month for that exact reason, they weren't.

I'd buy a terminal cleaner and clean the posts and terminal ends. Get them nice and clean.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0060YHP62/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[Chris]

I'd replace the battery terminals (or clean the hell out of them) to start and check the health of the battery. If the battery is a number of years old, you should replace it just as general maintenance.

 

[Not_Invented_Here_]

Are your battery terminals clean and tight?

Yeah I'm wondering if I should revisit this...didn't even occur to me when I made the post but the symptoms described seemed in the other thread matched mine. It was so oddly quiet, I've been in cars that stalled before and it's always accompanied by bucking or shuddering, or a prolonged sound, I didn't even know it happened at first earlier.

 

[Not_Invented_Here_]

I'd replace the battery terminals (or clean the hell out of them) to start and check the health of the battery. If the battery is a number of years old, you should replace it just as general maintenance.

Battery is for sure getting towards end of life, I think it was old when I got the Jeep a year ago. We also just got past a nasty two day cold snap with single digit temps and below 0 windchills, it started up both mornings but barely. Feel like a doofus for not even thinking of the battery but any time I've had that issue in the past, there's always been other warning signs or symptoms before/besides vehicle just shutting off suddenly

 

[Chris]

Battery is for sure getting towards end of life, I think it was old when I got the Jeep a year ago. We also just got past a nasty two day cold snap with single digit temps and below 0 windchills, it started up both mornings but barely. Feel like a doofus for not even thinking of the battery but any time I've had that issue in the past, there's always been other warning signs or symptoms before/besides vehicle just shutting off suddenly

A healthy battery and battery terminals is definitely where to start. If you want to go beyond that, you can always do a tune-up in the form of spark plugs, O2 sensors, etc. But the battery and terminals is where you want to start, especially with the cold weather!

 

[Jamie B]

Similar to my daughter's car. 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited would just die at a stop light or stop sign. We replaced the battery first go round, but it still died. Usually after 10-15 minutes of sitting, it would restart. Last time it stalled in oncoming traffic turning left. Never threw an error code. We had the Crankshaft Position Sensor replaced, Throttle body cleaned. no problems for us since. 5 months ago

 

[Not_Invented_Here_]

Thanks for the reply. Oddly enough, it never happened again after that day. Ran fantastic until the other day when I observed a major coolant leak from a yet to be determined source I look forward to digging into this one ha