Battery drain

Tiny
DOCRILEY
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 JEEP WRANGLER
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 77,000 MILES
Hi,
I bought a 2005 used Jeep Wrangler and it is doing great with the exception that a charge can't be held in its electrical system. I have taken in the Jeep 3 times and spent a total of $1000 and the problem is no better (I only spent $12,000.00 total on buying it). It started immediately after buying it. If you didn't drive the Jeep everyday, the battery would not hold enough charge to start it. I bought a new battery, cleaned and welded the posts, had the alt and gen checked out, and made sure to turn the key all the way to the complete off setting when turning it off, and, of course, the lights are all completely off. I'm getting pretty frustarted, because it can't be relied on to start, unless I put a trickle (2 amp) charger on it every night. I'm sure the guy trading it thought he was really getting something over. And he has to me, to the tune of $1000. I otherwise really like the Jeep, it drives and looks great, do you have any suggestions?
Monday, February 1st, 2010 AT 1:19 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Welcome, with everything turned off, check the amp draw, your looking for excessive drain, 35ma, .O35, no where close to half amp. Pull fuses one at a time, when you pull the fuse for the problem circuit, the amp draw spec will return to normal. Test, if you think something is draining the battery.
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Monday, February 1st, 2010 AT 2:23 PM
Tiny
DOCRILEY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks very much - that sounds like what is needed. I'm a medical doc, but a very poor mechanic - however I know from what has been done, something is draining the battery, but didn't know how to check it. I don't think I have the proper equipment in my garage at home to pull the fuses and test the draw on each component, but now I can intelligently suggest what they do at the mechanic I go to. And frankly, I think I will take this opportunity to change mechanics - I think they should have done this the third time I brought it in, instead of charging us to tell us to make sure and remove the key in the off position.
Thanks again - I believe this will get it.

Sincerely,

docriley
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Monday, February 1st, 2010 AT 2:42 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
It is possible your mechanic already tested for excessive draw. Most are sharper than I am.
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Monday, February 1st, 2010 AT 3:32 PM

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