Another "rained on for the first time" question
07-31-2014, 06:54 AM
#1
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Another "rained on for the first time" question
hi folks
2013 with 9k miles. basically stock jku, manual transmission.
had top up but all 3 rear windows out. heavy rain for about 10 mins.
dried the rear out in garage. went to start jeep next morning, no power at all (no dash lights, power locks, etc)
prior, the jeep has been behaving perfectly fine in every regard.
put a booster pack on battery, and immediately dash lights, door open chime, etc start up immediately. didn't bother starting vehicle but I expect it would have fired right up.
put battery on charger, dead as a doornail.
now, when i had left the jeep to dry out initially, i had definitely left the key in ignition - but definitely in the "off" position. not sure if i left a dome light or something on, but even if I had, the battery was totally dead within about 12 hours - and i would expect the battery to have enough juice to at least turn on the dash lights and radio.
my charger is not professional grade but it is a sears diehard, I'd think it to be superior to something like black & decker. it did not report a fault with the battery.
my question is whether the rain could have caused a short somewhere to the rear of the vehicle that would have caused rapid battery drain? and is so, thoughts on likely place for this to have occurred?
the electrical plug that is used for the hard top was exposed; would that be likely?
really the only spots that saw quite a bit if water were the carpet on the sides of the tub and the backs of the rear seats. I have a rubber floor mat thingy for the trunk floor.
thanks for any help, I just want to avoid killing the battery again if there are telltale places to look before reconnecting the battery.
jb
2013 with 9k miles. basically stock jku, manual transmission.
had top up but all 3 rear windows out. heavy rain for about 10 mins.
dried the rear out in garage. went to start jeep next morning, no power at all (no dash lights, power locks, etc)
prior, the jeep has been behaving perfectly fine in every regard.
put a booster pack on battery, and immediately dash lights, door open chime, etc start up immediately. didn't bother starting vehicle but I expect it would have fired right up.
put battery on charger, dead as a doornail.
now, when i had left the jeep to dry out initially, i had definitely left the key in ignition - but definitely in the "off" position. not sure if i left a dome light or something on, but even if I had, the battery was totally dead within about 12 hours - and i would expect the battery to have enough juice to at least turn on the dash lights and radio.
my charger is not professional grade but it is a sears diehard, I'd think it to be superior to something like black & decker. it did not report a fault with the battery.
my question is whether the rain could have caused a short somewhere to the rear of the vehicle that would have caused rapid battery drain? and is so, thoughts on likely place for this to have occurred?
the electrical plug that is used for the hard top was exposed; would that be likely?
really the only spots that saw quite a bit if water were the carpet on the sides of the tub and the backs of the rear seats. I have a rubber floor mat thingy for the trunk floor.
thanks for any help, I just want to avoid killing the battery again if there are telltale places to look before reconnecting the battery.
jb
07-31-2014, 01:33 PM
#3
JK Freak
hi folks 2013 with 9k miles. basically stock jku, manual transmission. had top up but all 3 rear windows out. heavy rain for about 10 mins. dried the rear out in garage. went to start jeep next morning, no power at all (no dash lights, power locks, etc) prior, the jeep has been behaving perfectly fine in every regard. put a booster pack on battery, and immediately dash lights, door open chime, etc start up immediately. didn't bother starting vehicle but I expect it would have fired right up. put battery on charger, dead as a doornail. now, when i had left the jeep to dry out initially, i had definitely left the key in ignition - but definitely in the "off" position. not sure if i left a dome light or something on, but even if I had, the battery was totally dead within about 12 hours - and i would expect the battery to have enough juice to at least turn on the dash lights and radio. my charger is not professional grade but it is a sears diehard, I'd think it to be superior to something like black & decker. it did not report a fault with the battery. my question is whether the rain could have caused a short somewhere to the rear of the vehicle that would have caused rapid battery drain? and is so, thoughts on likely place for this to have occurred? the electrical plug that is used for the hard top was exposed; would that be likely? really the only spots that saw quite a bit if water were the carpet on the sides of the tub and the backs of the rear seats. I have a rubber floor mat thingy for the trunk floor. thanks for any help, I just want to avoid killing the battery again if there are telltale places to look before reconnecting the battery. jb
07-31-2014, 01:48 PM
#5
JK Junkie
It could just be a coincidence that it rained but possible your battery is bad. Do you have a local auto parts store that can properly load test it for you?
Other thoughts would be the possibility of the electrical connections/switch inside the rear tailgate. These control the dome light and power lock (if you have that option).
Other thoughts would be the possibility of the electrical connections/switch inside the rear tailgate. These control the dome light and power lock (if you have that option).
07-31-2014, 03:46 PM
#6
Just a coincidence that it died after it rained. And why would you never take your top off? That's one of the main selling point and benefits of owning a jeep. Buy a hummer instead
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07-31-2014, 09:10 PM
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08-01-2014, 05:01 AM
#8
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thanks for the responses.
but hey now guys, I never said I never take the top off. I just put the top up to protect myself against some solid thunderstorms in the area the other day.
I will check out the integrity of the battery and give a look into the tailgate.
have a nice weekend
but hey now guys, I never said I never take the top off. I just put the top up to protect myself against some solid thunderstorms in the area the other day.
I will check out the integrity of the battery and give a look into the tailgate.
have a nice weekend
08-02-2014, 06:03 AM
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I can not understand why a person pays so much for a vehicle to never fully enjoy what it has to offer. Owns a Rubicon that probably has never been off road and clearly never had the top off. Why wouldn't you buy a Hummer or a Toyota. Just embarrassing
I hope your jeep starts up I have had mine wet very often and never had problems
I hope your jeep starts up I have had mine wet very often and never had problems