Something's Draining My Battery!

[Nathan]

I just went to start up the Jeep to go to a 4wheel meeting and she wouldnt turn-over. The brake light slowly glowed red as the key was turned then slowly died as the key was removed. The battery is new and the jeep has only been sitting for 2 days in very warm weather. Has anyone had a problem like this? No, the lights weren't left on, not even the radio was left on. No interior lights work anyway, so it's not them either. Help Please.
Nathna

[nfroio]

Any chance that you have a switch on the roof, near the rear of the cargo area?? That one got me once, interior dome light did not work, so, I did not notice that it had been switched to the "On" position, until I got in the next day or so, to start, and, well, you know...

If not that, you have a problem somewhere in the charging system, and depending on how good you are with electrical system, and the tools you have, you will need to do a quick check through the charging system, start at the battery, and work your way around. Conversely, if you are not, like me, at all good with anything electrical, past the microwave, then, most shops offer electrical system diagnosis' for free...

Hope that helps..

nfroio

[mrclean]

Nathan; I'll give it a try. First, recharge the battery, and reinstall. Leave the ground disconnected. Attach a test light between the neg post on the batt and the ground cable. If there is current flow anywhere, the test light will be on. Now pull fuses out of the fuse box, one at a time. When the light goes out, you have found the circuit with the problem. Reinstall the fuse. Now disconnect each accessory on that circuit, one at a time, until the light goes out. Now you have found the current drain. Fix that accessory and away you go.

[desert_freak]

MRCLEAN great very concise troubleshooting procedure, I have done it more times than I care to think about.

P.J.

[billyj7175]

I logged on to reply...but Mrclean beat me to it. Even though his instructions are better thought out than what I would have given you...hahahaha. Even though I have used a ammeter instead of a test light.
Possible voltage draws? clocks are notorious...also alternators....

[billyj7175]

Hey Nate, what model Pro-Flex do you ride? I wore out a Animal (back in 93-94). After logging over 2700 miles, and countless trips to Georgia (business trips, hahaha, Georgia mud is like liquid sandpaper), I wore out the bottom swingarm pivot, even though I tried my best to keep it clean and greased. It was a good bike though. I loved the rigidity of the Girvin fork...you can slam'em through rockpiles at speed and still steer straight. I have since went with a ceramic composite hardtail (no more pivots to wear out or service), and a thud buster seat post for my aging back.... ;) It's not as fast downhill, but I can climb much faster/harder. Anyway, I'll kill the idle prattle...hahaha

[Nathan]

Billy, I think thats the best quote Ive seen on the forum. My Pro-Flex is a Beast. Its a 97 model that I got new in 98 for a good deal in New Mexico. It did the Moab SlickRock Trail this summer and has seen more mud than most here on the east coast. I think Ive seen two other Pro-Flex' on the east coast. I dont think anyone sells them here. Not sure. The way it fits in the jeep, it seems like its made for it. Anyway, good to see another Jeep & Pro-Flex enthusiast.

[kyjman]

I'd start by checking those interior lights...if they dont work they may be grounded somewhere...I had a dome light the didnt work, but the wife kept the switch turned on all the time and after it sat for 2 days the battery was dead....I think its in that system....