Totally dead car!

Surfer
Surfer Forum Participant Posts: 1,302
500 Comments
edited July 2022 in Towcars & Towing #1

Yesterday while driving into town, our 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee went totally and unexpectedly dead on us. Nothing worked not even the hazard lights.  It has been suggested that the alternator may have gone faulty.  The charging system (battery function) light has never come on while driving.

Using a multimeter on checking the battery, it showed a total zero.  If alternator was faulty I would have expected a low reading of between 1 or 5v, but absolutely nothing.  I am now wondering if the battery which is 18 months old has given up the ghost?

Any input welcomed.  Thanks.

Comments

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,031 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2022 #2

    Jeeps do eat batteries Surfer. We learned the hard way a couple of times with our Cherokee, and our Wrangler. I happened to leave the boot light on after packing in garage one pre trip. Completely dead eight hours later.😡 Then we left Jeep in garage for four weeks, nothing on, one other holiday. Dead as the proverbial Dodo on our return. Computer had shut it down🤷‍♀️😡

    Then our current Wrangler ate a 12 month old battery during lockdown, all the computerised stuff whirrs and clicks for a good half hour after you leave it, so it wasn’t getting enough charge. We replaced it with a really hefty battery, and it’s been fine since. 

    Do you have number for Jeep Assist? We have never used it, but you could call them, see if they know anything. Some of the Jeep Forums are very helpful as well, there’s usually someone on there (usually American) who has had a similar issue, and can advise. Good luck with it👍

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited July 2022 #3

    It does seem very strange that your car dies wile in use without any kind of red charging lamp warning. Will it jump start? 🤷‍♂️

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,031 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2022 #4

    I found this Surfer https://jeepmodified.com/jeep-shut-off-while-driving-and-wont-start-main-causes/#google_vignette

    My OH isn’t available at the moment (in hospital) so I can’t ask him, if he has read anything, but it might help.

  • Surfer
    Surfer Forum Participant Posts: 1,302
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    edited July 2022 #5

     Thanks very handy link however in our case it is a very dead battery for some reason.  Not sure about trying to jump start it as battery is under driver's seat and awkward to access.

     

  • eribaMotters
    eribaMotters Club Member Posts: 1,193 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2022 #6

    You may be in luck and find that your 12v socket [cigarette lighter] is a permanent live. If so then the likes of a CTEK intelligent charger can be used to charge your battery thought it and save you the problem of battery access.

    Colin

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited July 2022 #7

    My ML's battery is under the driver's seat too, but there are terminals under the bonnet specifically to jump start or be jump started . But if the battery is toast, you'll have to access it anyway.

    edit ..... looks like yours is similar - assuming I have the correct Jeep. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Dj6JRsZJi4

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,031 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2022 #8

    Surfer, if you get the chance, come back and let us know what problem was. Always good to share any tips👍

  • Surfer
    Surfer Forum Participant Posts: 1,302
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    edited July 2022 #9

    The breakdown person who came today to tow the car to the dealership was previously a mechanic by trade so knew the business.  He gave it a thorough going over and he agreed with me that there is definitely a short somewhere as it seemed the polarity was reversed.  Possibly a dead short in the alternator?

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,031 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2022 #10

    Thanks Surfer. Hope you get it sorted quickly and not too expensive.👍

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