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Flat battery again..and again..and again..etc.

 
 
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spikelet
Gate Opener


Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Odometer: 37




PostPosted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 9:49 am    Post subject: Flat battery again..and again..and again..etc. Reply with quote

Hi - my '06 Grand Cherokee 3.0crd keeps getting a flat battery. Cutting a long story short, it's intermittant (two or three times in a week, then months of behaving perfectly). Been checked plenty of times - not battery (healthy, holding charge), not alternator (charges ok), not blower relay, no abnormal off-key drain etc. Now, when I try to charge it, I can keep the charger plugged in for five, ten, twenty, even thirty hours and not even one of the led indicators on the charger goes out. Also, the charger gets very hot (more than is usual, I think). No appreciable difference to state of charge in battery. I boost start it, take it for a run and it's fine - for about 24 hrs, then repeat the above. Best answer I can get from anybody is that it's 'just a Jeep thing'!



Any ideas not already covered here? Many thanks.
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TheClunk
Off-Road Guru


Joined: 26 Jan 2009
Odometer: 1159
Location: Chippenham


1997 Vauxhall Frontera

PostPosted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 12:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

First, I would replace the battery then see if it happens again. Until you do this, you cannot rule out the battery.
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CHEROKEECH
Gate Opener


Joined: 14 Aug 2011
Odometer: 43
Location: Stanley, county Durham



PostPosted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 12:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I agree if there is a problem charging the battery from the mains definitely points to a fault in the battery
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scotty wong
Just got MTs


Joined: 22 Nov 2008
Odometer: 472
Location: kent



PostPosted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 2:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sounds like iffy battery but check ya earths anyway.
__________________________________
if the truth can be told so as to understood it will be believed. jeep xj
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spikelet
Gate Opener


Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Odometer: 37




PostPosted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 9:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for that - it would seem logical but the only reason I haven't replaced the battery yet is that I've 'been there before' with an older 4.0 Cherokee with exactly the same problem. With that one, I changed the battery TWICE but it still didn't cure it. The thing is, when I first turn on the car, if it's going to 'misbehave', the air blower starts up on 'full' for a second, then goes back to its normal setting. I've already tried replacing the resistor but to no avail.

I'll certainly try to get the battery checked again, as the continued deep cycle charging can't be doing any good. Meantime, do you think a trickle charger/conditioner would tell me anything? I was thinking of getting one anyway, just to be able to sleep at night without the fear of the charge suddenly dropping and setting off the alarm at 3.00am! Many thanks again for the input.
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( Gray )
Articulating


Joined: 15 Apr 2012
Odometer: 597




PostPosted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 10:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If, as you say it only happens when the air blower plays up, remove the fuse for the air blower (bit of a pain in hot weather)

Then see if that solves the problem over a few weeks, then you know the problem lies in that circuit, draining the battery overnight.

Alternatively, remove the earth lead from your battery.
Connect a multimeter (set to 10amp scale) between the earth lead and the earth terminal.
You should have a reading of 0.2-0.3 amps (all the things like radio, clock, alarm which needs a constant supply are drawing current to save their settings)
Much more than 0.3 amps and you'll need to start pulling fuses out. Do them one at a time, and replace it if the reading does not drop. When it does, that's the circuit which is causing the battery drain.
You could use a 3-5w bulb instead of the ammeter - it should glow very dimmly. If it glows bright, then something is drawing too much current and again you can check by pulling fuses.

Do you have any fitments (alarm, radio/cd changer etc) with re-chargable batteries?
If a battery has become duff, it could be constantly trying to recharge itself, draining the main battery.
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spikelet
Gate Opener


Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Odometer: 37




PostPosted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 1:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hmm, well I did get the ignition-off draw checked earlier and there was nothing unusual. But then again, that wasn't on a day when it was playing up. No rechargeable items that I know of but interesting thought anyway.

Might have a look on e-bay for a multimeter, though - I may yet end up
pulling fuses!
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Toseland
Mud Obsessed


Joined: 25 Oct 2011
Odometer: 3209
Location: cardiff


1999 Suzuki Vitara

PostPosted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 3:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

can get a nice sealey one for about £15
__________________________________
I live by 2 sayings:
1. The beatings will continue until morale improves
2. Pain is just Weakness leaving the body..

The feeling you get when you first smash your shaft out, is one you will never forget.. especially if you do it in front of 10 guys.
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scotty wong
Just got MTs


Joined: 22 Nov 2008
Odometer: 472
Location: kent



PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 9:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

As the fans are messing around check if the drain happens after you have moved the direction of the fans ie from windscreen to vents etc or from recycled air.etc.it could be the blend doors.more common on the wj model before yours but its possible.the motors can try to open/close the doorsand not be turned of by the limiting switchs.that or i did have this with my xj which turned out to be a sticky central locking mech which caused a 4amp drain that cycled every 10seconds and killed a optima iver night more than once. Also check the heated seats maybe remove fuse as hey can break wires and short or just cause a drain if damaged and can be intermitent.
__________________________________
if the truth can be told so as to understood it will be believed. jeep xj
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john1961
Gate Opener


Joined: 19 Jan 2013
Odometer: 33




PostPosted: Wed Jul 17, 2013 10:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Very Happy CHECK WATER LEVEL IN BATTERY Very Happy first ???
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ROCKPILE
Winch Assistant


Joined: 15 Dec 2007
Odometer: 52
Location: Bury Lancs



PostPosted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 12:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Buy a solar charger ( about £12), plug in to cigarette lighter and leave it on dash .Used on both the boat & Jeep if notused for a while and never a prob.
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weasel
Just got MTs


Joined: 29 Dec 2012
Odometer: 167




PostPosted: Wed Aug 07, 2013 10:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had this problem with my x reg XJ 4ltr drove me mad new battery auto electricions all to no avail untill in the end I invested just a few pounds in a Battery cut out switch when you park up every night just switch it off.

In the morning you switch it back on its a pain but no more starting problems in the morning the only problem is you have to put in the radio code every day but you soon remember it and its not a problem to tap it in.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords...d_sl_2u5vypbyrb_b
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