Hello all,
So there is something goong on with my 98 tj 2.5l.. A few weeks a go the my battery gauge, was peged in the red at 19 volts,, I had the alternator checked and alll was ok, and it never did it again,, now the jeep seems to start "funny" by that I mean it's as when I turn the key the starter goes then stops right before the motor start, if I back off on the ignition and turn the key again, it will start right up,, ok nows here's the kicker,, my radio presets and the clock were blanked as if I disconected the battery. I checked all fuses and all are fine,, hmmm any hints would be big help,, all grounds look good too, a little crosion on the positive term but nothing to bad???
cheers
ML
oh before you ask, I haven't wheeled in months soo no water or rocks

Howdy again ML The corrosion you CANNOT see is what prolly needs addressing.
Pull both cables and clean the inside of them and the posts and then reinstall.
See what happens after that... You describe the VERY reason I throw my batteries away after 36 months.. I NEVER have corrosion problems with my batteries.
I fail to understand how guys can spend thousands on lifts, gears, tires and wheels and still keep a failing soon battery in their ride.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

My old mustang used to loose it's radio presets the day before the battery was dead. It served as a very reliable warning system - stop at The Mart before you come home from work. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

So I cleaned the terminals right after I posted my need for help, and no difference.. I tired starting it the turning it off then on,,, then off etc. no problem... this was on my lunch break, at 5:30 when going home I put the key to the on position and noticed that my amp gauge was around 9-10 not at 14 (normal) I waited for a few seconds turned the key and it started right up... hmmmmmmmm I will have the battery tested,
but I think I have a short some where..
cheers
ML

BJ im not trying to start an argument here or anything but maintance is the key thing to making anything last long, ive seen original batteries last 8 to 10 years just because people clean off the terminals all the time and care for stuff under the hood to prevent corrosion. hell my cousin has a 1998 explorer with the original battery and i dont think hes even waxed this thing since hes owned it, hes the original onwer, hes had it burried in the mud up to the headlights and he just beats the ***** out of this thing, the one day we were at his house for a family party and it wouldnt start so we poped the hood and saw how nasty it was under the hood, the hole motor was brown and caked with mud, we cleaned off the terminals and it started right up, this was back in november and believe he still has the same battery in there

I'm assuming that you mean your volt gauge (voltmeter), not your amp gauge (ammeter).

Spend the money and just replace your battery cables, as well as the positive cable going to the starter. I'd also get the battery checked with a load tester, not just a voltmeter.

One of my best tool investments was a $59.95 battery load tester from Sears. Sears Battery Tester <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Personally, myself, I'd replace the cables, clean the grounds real good, replace the battery and the voltage regulator.

I'd have both the alt and the starter pulled and cleaned / tested.

I'm guessing you alt and reg. are on there last dance and the battery is toast. Or soon will be.

jmho

C.

hmm thought the volt reg is in the alt, in newer car and trucks?
Ml

HMMMMMM
the thing has fixed it self,, sort of worried that it will come back when I need the jeep the most,, tested all battery, starter, alt,, all a ok??
o whell
Cheers
ML