1984 Jeep Wagoneer Battery suddenly dead

JWAGON1

MEMBER
1984 JEEP WAGONEER

Electrical problem
1984 Jeep Wagoneer V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic 152K miles

AAA jumped it and it started right up. Guy thought maybe battery is not good, but its only 2 year old Sears Die Hard Gold. Had driven the day before, no problem. Let it run for over 30 minutes, then drove about 5 miles. Needle indicator still shows charging, way to the + side. Will see if it starts in the morning, if not, I'm thinking alternator. Your opinion?

Oh, its a Grand Wagoneer, just in case there's any difference.

Just found this site and it looks very informative!

Thanks.

4 Replies

MASTERTECHTIM

MECHANIC
4,749 POSTS

If the alternator is charging, you could have a bad cell in battery. Was the battery completely dead, (no lights or dash gauges came on), if so then you probably have a draw(left a light on) etc.

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Sunday, March 30th, 2008 AT 6:58 PM

JWAGON1

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Yes, completely, totally dead. Nothing was working, door locks, gauges, clock, etc. Was driving in daylight the day before, so no lights had been left on. Just sudden death. I'm obviously no mechanic (I wish!), But thought of the alternator because I think I understand that's what keeps the battery charged and things working. Needle indicator never went back down to neutral position. When I try to start it again in the morning, it'll either start or I'll be calling AAA again.

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Sunday, March 30th, 2008 AT 7:16 PM

JWAGON1

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Well, its completely dead again. Don't want to use up all my AAA benefits at once. Problem is Sears is about 80 miles away. I'm in a rural area. Gonna see if I can find a mechanic to come here to check things out.

Sorry, you weren't much help and I am on disability so I'm very poor and can't really make a donation. Maybe next time.

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Monday, March 31st, 2008 AT 11:29 AM

JWAGON1

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Hey, it turned out to be a something in the fuse box drawing a heavy charge and draining the battery. Guy came to my house, brought a fresh battery, discovered the drain, pulled the fuse (or switch, whatever, doesn't look like a regular fuse) from the slot marked "TGSW" and the drain stopped. Guessing that its Tailgate Switch so now the door locks don't work, I can't put down the rear window, seats don't adjust (unnecessary). Otherwise everything vital seems to be working without it, so the problem is solved well enough for now. I hope.

Thanks for trying to help.

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Monday, March 31st, 2008 AT 6:52 PM