Jeep wouldn't start this morning. Turned the key - only got a click and the lights went out. Lights came back on after a second, but still no start... only the click.

I did the usual things. Jumped it, tapped the starter, etc., but still nothing.

Popped the clutch and drove to work. On the way to work, I noticed that when I put the turn signal on, the radio would cut out until the signal turned off.

Any ideas? I parked on a hill today so it'll be easier to start after work.

Should I drive it to a repair shop, or is this something I can tackle?

Sounds like battery cables or the battery itself.. Always take the cables off and clean them FIRST THING before THINKING bout anything else. The lights going out is a definate clue..
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Might get your alternator bench tested while your at it.
Most of the auto parts chains will do it for free.

My 4Runner went nuts when the alternator went out, it had all sort of weird electric problems due to the low voltage.

Alright. I'm going to take it to Advance Auto Parts after work to get everything tested. My last battery lasted 10 years. This one is only 18 months old. They must not make them like they used to.

Based off of that comment I would be leaning towards the alternator rather than the battery. I actually just had to replace the alternator in my '99 XJ this weekend. I went to start the XJ Saturday morning (~35 F) and it barely started, it took 3 tries and then I had to throttle it to keep it running for the first minute or so. It had been getting progressively harder to start in the mornings too, and had been turning over slower, and I had been suspecting the Alternator was dying for the last few months. After a few tests with the volt meter, I was 99% sure it was the alternator, so I pulled it and had it tested at the local parts house, and sure enough a bad diode, just as I thought. I put the battery on the charger; luckily itÆs a deep cycle battery so it still seems perfectly happy. I put the new alternator in on Sunday, and the XJ starts and runs like a champ now.

Sean

The jump would've worked if the alternator was shot, right?

Not always, if your battery voltage was too low to turn over your engine and the other rig didn't have a "good enough" connection to your rig to deliver the required current it could still not start. And if you don't have a deep cycle battery you could have already killed your battery too by running it with a faulty alternator. It takes a lot more current to turn over the engine than it does to run the ignition and the accessories.

It is possible you bought a faulty battery, but I would be getting the alternator checked out before I put a new battery in it.

Sean

Sean... Do you know what the slowest thing on earth is?
A Mexican funeral procession with only one set of jumper cables..
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Thsat's funny down here!

Good one. I'm not mexican, but I've used my jumper cables more than I'd like to admit.

I just replaced the battery cable and that fixed the problem.

Thank you all for your help.

Big Jim - You probably don't know it but this is the 3rd time you've helped me over the years. Thanks again!

Nice to hear you got fixed. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

C.