r/CherokeeXJ • u/AudiSlav • 1d ago

2000-2001 Need advice

Car won’t start - battery or cables ?

2001, Jeep Cherokee

My car read “check gauges” and abs light was on as well and the voltage was really high. I pullled over - car wouldn’t start it would just click click click but headlights came on.

Gas station attendant jump started it and I made it home. When I got home I tried turning it on - same thing happened it just click click click but all accessories worked and everything else

I called AAA they tested it and determined it’s a bad battery even though it reads 12.7 volts when idle. There was some other reading they said that indicates it’s a bad battery even though the battery is only two years old. I can get a new battery for free under warranty

But also my cables are corroded, so which one is it ?

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1

u/montysep 1d ago

Since it doesn't cost you to get a free battery I would choose that before replacing your cables.

1

u/bobroberts1954 17h ago

Test your battery with the car off. Running, you are reading the output voltage of the alternator. Clean your battery terminals and fully charge it before you decide the battery is dead. If you take it in for replacement they will pay you the depreciated value against the cost of a new battery. They will probably also load test it to see if it is really bad.

1

u/AudiSlav 17h ago

The battery was fine off it was 12.7. And no the replacement is free i have AAA, they ran the car after jumping it and he said the battery is bad ?

1

u/BounceByTheOunce420 12h ago

12.7 volts when its idling? If the alternator is spinning and you check it at the battery then that's the charge voltage youre running. Should be at least 13.7 volts. A battery can be bad and still read good voltage when its charged. Do the battery and the cables its cheap and easy.

1

u/AudiSlav 12h ago

Battery is going to be replaced by AAA for free, new cables arrived today ill replace after work and report back 🫡

1

u/BounceByTheOunce420 12h ago

Check the power connection at the starter as well, and the grounds. Bad grounds make weird gremlins too.

1

u/PitPonyProspecting 9h ago

If they have told you the battery is bad and a new one is free, that's sort of a no brainer to start with.

I would also recommend that if you haven't done it already, get yourself the "Big 7" cable upgrade. It's cheap, easy to install, and can make a massive difference in your electrical system.