Jeep Cherokee issue

[tmrobinson]

Hi guys,

Long time lurker but first time poster....

Recently moved to rural South Africa to work here for a year. I have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee 2.5 TD. I was just wondering whether anyone might be able to help with a problem that has suddenly developed over the last week.

The car runs fine, however about a week ago we parked up after a long drive and when we came back to the car about an hour later in the rain it let me open the doors with the remote, put the key in the ignition and the dash lights etc came on. Tried to turn the key and the power completely died- nothing at all (not even a flat battery sign). If you use jump leads as soon as you connect to the other car everything is at full power and you can start the car and run everything no problem. Drove 1000k since the problem happened and now it is happening everytime we try and start the car. I have tried googling but can't find anything. Is this just a dodgy connection between the battery etc? The jump leads certainly look like they have been used a few times on it! Any advice gratefully received- its about 300kms to my nearest garage but I might be able to source a battery locally and fit it...

Sorry for the long post- any advice greatly appreciated!

Can't believe how expensive cars are over here- and can't wait to get something decent and fun when we get home!

Tim

[littleredrooster]

It has all the symptoms of a loose battery connection. Try undoing both terminals, giving them a good clean then reassemble and coat in vaseline.

It hasn't got two batteries and a split-charge relay, has it?

[E30M3SE]

If the above doesn't work then it'll be the battery. Only guessing but 2.5 td of that era probably has mechanical injection and pump, so battery only really used for starting and other electrics but once it is running other electrics will run from the alternators output.

[tmrobinson]

Thanks... I've actually just pulled off one of the connections with one hand it was so loose...

Have done a bodge and duck taped it into place today and its working.

Thanks for the very speedy reply

Tim

[tmrobinson]

Thanks E30- I suspect you are right about it only being required for starting as it did 300kms off road and was shaking around like anything so couldn't have been running off that connection.

It is an excellent car for off-roading, gets up stuff that newer 4x4s can't...