Battery failed in my '07 - just a word of caution.
06-05-2013, 06:20 AM
#1
JK Super Freak
Thread Starter
Battery failed in my '07 - just a word of caution.
Just a word of caution for the '07 and '08 JK's... If they're still factory, it's probably a good idea to get your batteries load tested or consider replacing soon.
Yesterday after putting gas in my JK, it failed to start. Turned the key, and the dash went black. Let off the key, and some of the lights "sort of" lit up. Tried again, and got the same results.
Tried to jump it with two different vehicles, with two different sets of cables, and could not get anything more than a weak chatter or weak click out of the starter. At one point the relays in the fuse box were chattering. Things were a mess. Could not tell if it was all battery related, or computer or starter issues too.
Had a tow truck come, and thankfully got the Jeep started with one of those booster packs. No idea why jumping it wasn't working. We were hardly even getting a mild spark upon connections - and connections were legit.
I've probably had to replace a half dozen batteries over the years, and have never had one up and fail like this without some sort of warning. I knew I was due soon, but thought things were still holding up ok. Lesson learned on my part.......
Yesterday after putting gas in my JK, it failed to start. Turned the key, and the dash went black. Let off the key, and some of the lights "sort of" lit up. Tried again, and got the same results.
Tried to jump it with two different vehicles, with two different sets of cables, and could not get anything more than a weak chatter or weak click out of the starter. At one point the relays in the fuse box were chattering. Things were a mess. Could not tell if it was all battery related, or computer or starter issues too.
Had a tow truck come, and thankfully got the Jeep started with one of those booster packs. No idea why jumping it wasn't working. We were hardly even getting a mild spark upon connections - and connections were legit.
I've probably had to replace a half dozen batteries over the years, and have never had one up and fail like this without some sort of warning. I knew I was due soon, but thought things were still holding up ok. Lesson learned on my part.......
06-05-2013, 07:09 AM
#2
JK Enthusiast
I know what you mean. Got my 08 home from Florida and all is good, starting every time with no issues or even seeming like it was having problems. Go out the next day and got nothing at all, no starter clicks, nothing. Pulled the battery and laughed when I saw the 18 month Mopar sticker on the side, guess it did it's time. Funny part about it is that when I picked it up my friend said "wow, original battery still". I think he is to blame for pointing that out. Hahahaha.
06-05-2013, 07:51 AM
#4
My 08 also failed at about 30 months, just inside the initial warranty. But now that "new" mopar battery is probably getting close to needing it again.
Mine was not quite as drastic, you could jump start it fine, but it would not hold a charge and just need to be jumped again when you shut it off.
Mine was not quite as drastic, you could jump start it fine, but it would not hold a charge and just need to be jumped again when you shut it off.
06-05-2013, 10:37 AM
#7
JK Super Freak
I usually only get 3-5 out of a battery, with 35+C summers and 40-c winters batteries are put through their paces up here. And now with a winch I bet it will shorten life of my battery even further.
As soon as I have problems starting my vehicles I usually start by checking the battery myself or taking it in.
