93 JMC Jimmy Starting Issue

[Bad_Brad]

Okay, heres a strange startup issue. About two weeks ago I did the unthinkable, I left my headlights on overnight. Luckily I was able to get a jump start in the morning. Since then, whenever my car is not running for a period over 8 hours it will not start. Period. At first we thought the battery should be replaced, but the problem persisted. Then we had the kind employee at AutoZone check the original battery and his tests came out just fine. Now we are back at square one (we returned the new battery).

When I am unable to start my car, I can jump it and it will start. Even more it will start within a period of 8 hours or less, but after 8 hours it will not start and then I'll get a jump and then the whole system repeats itself.

Now, I've looked at other threads about starting problems and it seems to me that I should check the spark plugs and the fuel injectors. I'm not sure if either of those has ever been done but I'll try to find out more info and get back to you.

[brcidd]

If the vehicle starts when jumped- then forget about injectors, plugs etc---get a voltmeter on that battery- after 8 hours- does it read 12Volts or greater? (checks battery charge)-- Does it read 13.5 volts or greater when engine is running? (checks alternator output)...if alternator can put out 13.5+ volts- then either your battery is bum or you have a parasitic current draw- you can crudely test this by unhooking your battery overnight- does it start in the morning? do a few simple tests and post back- we can go from there.....

[Bad_Brad]

Hey... I forgot to mention, yesterday I tried to use my windshield washer fluid to obviously clean my windshield, but when I hit the switch no fluid came out. I checked the container under the hood and it was over half full.

In addition, the wipers weren't stopping in the correct spot (the bottom of the windsheild.) They would stop in the middle, at the peak of their movement, just about anywhere but where they're supposed to.

I don't know if this could be related. Maybe the nozzle that sprays the fluid is blocked or covered, but when it comes to the wipers I don't have a clue as to why they aren't stopping when they're supposed to.

[brcidd]

Those are two other completely different issues- the wipers- most likely have the cold solder joint- or the parking pawl- or brushes out of adjustment- the washer may be a pump issue or plugged nozzles---both need to be checked..

[BobSW]

If a new battery would not start the truck, but a jump does, it really sounds like the connectors on your battery cables have too high a resistance where they go on the battery posts and should be cleaned so the current flow is optimum.

When it doesn't start does the starter actually turn over at normal speed?

Is there any dofference in the starting sounds when you jump the car as opposed to when usiing only your own battery?

[Bad_Brad]

We have a mechanic working on the car as I type this.

There is something in the car drawing power from the battery that I did not know about. We are currently narrowing it down.

Note: We do hear a high piched siren type noise from the dash now and again. Don't know what its from though.

[Bad_Brad]

We found what was leeching power from the battery.

Apparently the rear-view mirror has two lights on it and they were drawing power from the battery constantly. There was no way to stop the lights from doing that, so we simply unpluged the power connector from the mirror fixture. I never used those lights anyway, so everybody is happy.

[Bad_Brad]

This issue has reoccured.

My car would not start on its own, but It would with a jump.

Tomarrow I'm going to clean the connectors on the battery.

Are there any other connectors I should think about cleaning?

If this doesn't solve the issue what should I look at next?