Jeep question

[wmonroe]

I have a Jeep Wrangler that I bought wrecked and fixed it up to use as a general run around, off road, hunting vehicle. I have been running it for about a month now and it runs great and has reliable except for one issue. If I don't drive it for three days the battery will be to low to start the engine, after two days it is ok. The battery is new and not the issue as I have narrowed it down to the "ext. lighting" circuit. I can pull the fuse for that circuit and the battery doesn't drain down at all even if left sitting for well over two weeks. So I have an issue somewhere in the wiring for the parking lights and turn signals, I checked and those are all that doesn't work when the fuse is pulled. What is the best way to go about troubleshooting a wiring issue like this? I am fairly mechanically inclined and have done many engine repairs, clutch swaps, etc, but have never hunted down an electrical issue in a vehicle before. Any help that can be offered is appreciated.
Thanks

 

[wmonroe]

Forgot to add the required picture.

 

[Newblue]

I have a 2000 Wrangler and had a 2000 Cherokee. That being said, on both Jeeps I had to replace the combo switch that controled the turn signals/flashers/high beam. The contacts in those switches seem to be junk. It could be a short in that switch. On mine the left flasher would not turn off on the Cherokee and the Wrangler one the right stop lamp would not work. I found a replacement at Advanced Auto for $41 and I saw that Autozone had one for a similar price. Oh yeah, pics of said Jeeps!

 

[Diamondpilot]

Man, those Jeeps look fun. I am thinking about selling one of my Pickups and this may just be the answer for some fun.

Anyway, to check for voltage draw disconnect the negative terminal from the battery. Place you multimeter on amps in between the negative terminal and the battery cable. You will see a draw. Lets say its 2 amps for argument sake. Now pull one fuse at a time and see which circuit removes the draw.

Like others said switches are the most common problem. I run into this all the time dealing with boats. The switches take a beating in the marine environment. With that being said since the Jeep was wrecked make sure you look over the suspect circuits wiring harness for evidence of damage that could leak voltage. Also have the alternator checked out, this is a common area to leak voltage.

Chris

 

[schmism]

check the door switches for the dome lights. They are funky because the jeeps were designed with the idea that you run with the doors off.... if the doors are off then your dome light would be on all the time so they made a disable thingie for it...

in short check the dome light funkyness controls/circuits

 

[Newblue]

check the door switches for the dome lights. They are funky because the jeeps were designed with the idea that you run with the doors off.... if the doors are off then your dome light would be on all the time so they made a disable thingie for it...

in short check the dome light funkyness controls/circuits

On the fuse block pull the pasenger side bottom fuse out and ths will disable the dome light and key chime. Fuse block is behind the glove compartment. 10 amp fuse.

 

[Newblue]

Man, those Jeeps look fun. I am thinking about selling one of my Pickups and this may just be the answer for some fun.

Awsome! Let me know if you get one and we can go wheelin.

 

[tommu56]

From my experience with my wife's wranglers She had 2 with the same problem it is the under hood light.
It took me a while to figure it out unplug it and see if it cuts the drain.

I caught it at night one time and thought seh got some sort of mood lights because there was a glow under it and it was the hood light.

check the glove box light too and other culprit on a friends car.

tom

 

[LRTX1]

I think the fellows are leading you in the right direction. I can't add any help here.


I don't have any working lights on my jeep we use around the farm.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Awsome! Let me know if you get one and we can go wheelin.

My family is from Brazil Indiana and just north of there on HWY 59 there is a place that does noting but trick out Jeeps. Never stopped by but next time I will take a look at what they have.

I just found it on the net.

:: Welcome To The Jeep Shop Indiana, Jeeps For Sale ::

Chris

 

[wmonroe]

Thanks for all the replies. I have it narrowed down to the circuit that powers the parking lights. The Jeep wasn't wrecked badly and the wiring wasn't damaged anywhere that I noticed. I did all the repairs myself and went over it pretty well. Once the issues is narrowed down to a particular circuit whats the next step?
Thanks

 

[Diamondpilot]

Thanks for all the replies. I have it narrowed down to the circuit that powers the parking lights. The Jeep wasn't wrecked badly and the wiring wasn't damaged anywhere that I noticed. I did all the repairs myself and went over it pretty well. Once the issues is narrowed down to a particular circuit whats the next step?
Thanks

If you are sure its the parking light circuit I think I would buy a new switch first. It is a know problem with the Jeep line and for under $50 will not cost a arm and a leg to try.

Chris

 

[wmonroe]

Yeah it is definately the parking light circuit as when I pull the fuse there is no noticeable draw on the battery, but there is draw prior to removing the fuse. I will try a new switch and let everyone know how it goes.
Thanks for the help.

 

[clemsonfor]

After trying the switch , run a new wire to where it needs to go. That is from the sterring colum or fuse block to each of the 4 corners. This will take out any chafes or bad spots/connections

 

[RobertN]

I am always surprised when I see a Jeep without a roll bar or cage. We used our a lot off-road,. Never did roll, but always had that cage there...

They look naked without

I think the fellows are leading you in the right direction. I can't add any help here.

I don't have any working lights on my jeep we use around the farm.

 

[RobertN]

If you ever get the chance, it is a lot of fun to run the technical rock trails. Like Rubicon, Barret Lake, Pannimint Valley, Sierra Trek(Fordyce Creek trail), Moab. Fordyce Creek trail has 5 winch hills. There are permenant anchors at the top of the hills to use as snatch points. I've made it thru, but have also seen folks have to winch on a couple of those hills.

I grew up not far from Rubicon. Have run Fordyce Creek. Barret Lake trail and Panimint Valley, Moab are similar technical hard rock trails.

General off-roading in a Jeep is a ton of fun. But running the big rock trails is really cool!

Man, those Jeeps look fun. I am thinking about selling one of my Pickups and this may just be the answer for some fun.

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

What year wrangler is it. Do you have a chilton manual that shows the electrical schematic. If not you can pick on up for about $20. I would unplug the light switch and see if you still have the problem. There could be somthing other than lights getting power from that circuit. Is there a trailer plug that has a hot wire. BTW on my 93 wrangler the fuse pannel is not behind the glove box(doesn't have one).It is under the dash on the left side next to the parking brakeand the other is under the hood next to the battery. Which one are you pulling the fuse out of.
Bill

 

[wmonroe]

What year wrangler is it. Do you have a chilton manual that shows the electrical schematic. If not you can pick on up for about $20. I would unplug the light switch and see if you still have the problem. There could be somthing other than lights getting power from that circuit. Is there a trailer plug that has a hot wire. BTW on my 93 wrangler the fuse pannel is not behind the glove box(doesn't have one).It is under the dash on the left side next to the parking brakeand the other is under the hood next to the battery. Which one are you pulling the fuse out of.
Bill

It is an 2005 and I have the factory service manual on cd. I looked at it a few weeks ago but can't remember now what all was on that circuit. It has the fuse panel behind the glove box and a panel under the hood, I am removing the fuse from the panel under the hood. Didn't get a chance to work on it today but hopefully in the next couple days I can get the switch removed and see if that stops the drain.

 

[Diamondpilot]

A good point was brought up about trailer light wiring. I have seen plenty of crummy jobs or just plain corroded stuff that can cause all types of issues.

If it has a trailer wiring harness disconnect it and see if the issue is still there. Either way it will confirm or eliminate the issue.

Chris

 

[timswi]

A good point was brought up about trailer light wiring. I have seen plenty of crummy jobs or just plain corroded stuff that can cause all types of issues.

If it has a trailer wiring harness disconnect it and see if the issue is still there. Either way it will confirm or eliminate the issue.

Chris

True, had this problem before...All of the salt and road junk can corrode the connector in the trailer plug...I had rogue turn signals, they came on when they felt like it...The 7 pin was a ball of rust under the covers (aftermarket plug on a well used truck).