wont' start nor turn over, ahhhh

Okay, yesterday I got in my jeep to go somewhere (98 xj, 4.0) and it wouldn't start, wouldn't turn over, wouldn't do nothing but click. Even the radio wouldn't turn on, nuthin. So, i pushed it over to a mechanic which is about 50 feet away. I thought just maybe the battery was dead. So, he hooked it up to a jumper. At first nothing happened, but after a few minutes it was cranking, but wasn't turning over. In fact, everything was on except for the guages (the needles) weren't turning on at all. The mechanic said my battery terminals were heavily corroded, which they were, so I went to replace my terminals, but noticed the nipple thingy on the battery was twisting and not hooked up all the way. So I went and got new terminals and a new battery, cause the other one wasn't safe anymore. When I hooked up the new battery and terminals, same thing happend. It was cranking, electrical systems worked, radio, lights, etc. But still the guages were not on, and wasn't turning over. I checked all the fuses, under the glove box and under the hood. They were all okay. So, have absouletly no idea what is up. Maybe a short??? Something, I don't know. Any help would be appreciated. I am a poor college student getting married to another poor college student. Thanks in advance.

Check the positive battery cable for corrosion. If the battery terminals were that bad, then it could be corroded enough on the inside of the insulation to kill it. I've had 2 cars that either died on the road or acted funky due to the same thing.

It was corroded about 1/4 inch into the cable, so i cleaned that out with a brush. So once I hooked it back up it was all clean.

I'm thinking if it was corroded that far in, it's likely to be corroded further.

Try turning the key on and checking if there's any voltage in the system. Your problems sound a lot like my one car that acted all weird (dash lights flashing, some stuff didn't work and some did) with the corroded cable.

How do I check for voltage? I do have power for everything. Lights work, horn works, door locks work. What gage would be the cables, and how expensive would they be if that be the case.

If you've got corrosion inside of your cable(s), enough to see a 1/4" in and clean out with the brush :eek:, you would do well to skip the mess altogether and get yourself some brand new shiny cables (go ahead and get the pos & neg :grinyes:) from Advance Auto or the like... $20-$30 and they just might help ya do it!
Being broke is no fun, but being stranded just plain sucks! ***:banghead: I shoulda got the darn cables!!! :banghead:*** lol

~good luck

You can buy a meter for the same $20-30. I'd just go ahead and replace the cables.

thanks. I'll give it a try this afternoon.

Let us know.

Okay, I finally installed the new cables and connectors. They are all hooked up to the new battery. Still nothing. It cranks, but won't turn over. No guages either, but still electrical components work. Any other ideas?

OK, this isn't going to sound professional at all. But, here's what I'd do...

-Your junk was corroded, 'bout time you took care of it. Forget about it.

-The very next thing in line from the battery/cables is a fuse/relay box on the left side,in a box, facing the engine. Pull every one that you can check by eye.

-Replace any that are f*uled up... Also check the box of 'mini' fuses on the passengers door side if you haven't yet. Replace if blown.

-Get to know, make friends quick-like with the boys/gyrlz from Advance/Auto Zone. Promise them beeeer, whatever,.. (I'm not kidding, the manager here in central, VA just rebuilt my downstream O2 sensor this morning for me instead of charging me $85.?? for a new one!) [I yanked the wires out of the harness putting in some headers over the weekend xD]lol

-Auto store people have/know how to use volt-meters, (and can show you how to-just don't get the 'new guy'!), they might be able to check the relays for you-[the silver 'block things']

-Get familiar with where the junk(bone)-yard is, there are a lot of $cheap$ parts there once you know what you need...

_______________________

~*If I've missed something, please help us out guys, I just picked up this year myself.. Don't have the fsm yet.

~just another kid trying to learn
~Good Luck


***Hey Fred, who is that? John Henry 'Doc' Holliday? Wyatt Earp? The Dude??? ***
I miss Goose already. lol

I already checked all the fuses, both under the hood and under the glove box, they were all fine. I'll just keep looking.

Yup, could be a fuse. You say it cranks but won't start.

Is it giving you any codes?



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***Hey Fred, who is that? John Henry 'Doc' Holliday? Wyatt Earp? The Dude??? ***
I miss Goose already. lol

Doc Holliday, as portrayed by Val Kilmer.

I'll get back to the Goose here in a little bit.

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No codes. I just took it over to a mechanics. Even though I'm always broke, I have even less time, since I do go to school some time. Don't have the hours to spend checking everything out. So, I should know by Monday or Tuesday what it is. thanks

Well, found out what the problem was. The main computer went bad. They have to order it from the dealer, and the dealer has to reset most of it themselves because of laws dealing with tampering with miles and such. $680. But, I would have kept messing around with it while not accomplishing anything, which would have been expensive as well. thanks for the help

Sorry to hear about the misfortune!

Thanks though, for responding with the answer. It goes a long way towards helping others that need assistance...

I have similar problem.. It will start but ran for couple of minutes ( engine gegts hot) Wont start when turned off. Loss of power in gauges and lights and gthen wont start. I need help I have had the problem for a while

I have similar problem.. It will start but ran for couple of minutes ( engine gegts hot) Wont start when turned off. Loss of power in gauges and lights and gthen wont start. I need help I have had the problem for a while
Try doing a search Jeepchimp, search 1st for :-(

~ hot engine
~ engine loss
~ power engine
~ no start
~ gthen
~ spell check

-good luck! ; ) lol

Well, found out what the problem was. The main computer went bad. They have to order it from the dealer, and the dealer has to reset most of it themselves because of laws dealing with tampering with miles and such. $680. But, I would have kept messing around with it while not accomplishing anything, which would have been expensive as well. thanks for the help

Jeff,

I have done similar work on my college son's 89 Jeep. Before spending that kind of money on the computer, I would check the Crankshaft position sensor and Cam Position Sensor, as they will cause the same problem and each less than $100. My sons Jeep went through the same problems, starting with the Crank sensor, then Cam sensor, then starter, then finally new battery cables. Each time it ran for a little while then quit again, he is now back on the road.

Mike