Don't go replacing those batteries just yet!

[tysongladiator]

I know that when the CEL (Avengers! Lol) light comes on, everyone's first action is to replace the batteries. Obviously there are a number of things that will initiate a CEL light, but there are a few things that can be quickly checked before you spend $300 - $700 on batteries or $1000+ on a dual battery setup. I made a quick video to show those few things and where they're located. Check it out!

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[FLACRACKER]

Thanks, enjoyed the video !

 

[tysongladiator]

Thanks, enjoyed the video !

Thank you! Just trying to help. Maybe save someone a few dollars and a little headache.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

Enjoyed watching! Keep making them.

 

[tysongladiator]

Enjoyed watching! Keep making them.

Thank you! ?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Haven't yet watched it, but seeing who it's from, I know it will be good when I do.
While at a neighbor's usual 10 am coffee meet at his shop, several of us were talking issues with cars, especially current cars even those these guys all drive 50's Chevy or flat head powered 40's Fords, blown chevy trucks or whatever........... and one of the common mentions was "check grounds".
They were talking newer Ford and Chevy cars and trucks, and now and then a classic was brought up but the common theme - "check grounds".
I thought - AHA! It's NOT a Jeep thing! ?
Seriously - it was like listening to a bunch of Jeep owners sitting around talking of their battery and other electrical issues but not a one of them owns a Jeep (I'm the only one of the group of 20 or so who have AMC or Jeep vehicles)

I'm a lifelong troubleshooter. My thing is "diagnose and troubleshoot". LOGIC, not "but this is what the internet says".
Your best tools - logic, diagnosing, troubleshooting (and patience!)

Now to watch the video............

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The more i see of your stuff, the more I like.
Wow, love those battery connectors.
And the tip on the terminal connections - excellent. That's something that was discussed last week at coffee - you get some resistance in there - doesn't take much, and you have a voltage drop and now the system is seeing lies instead of truth and tries to compensate or you get goofy voltage messages, whatever. That was one of the better parts - showing how that can LOOK tight - but not be.
I do hope you went back later and picked up the stuff you tossed - love it.

One thing I'll add - any DIYer must have a good volt meter. When I say good I don't mean you need a $300 Fluke or whatever, but you should have one that is accurate to within 0.00 volts and that can be done today for not a lot of money at Walmart, Costco, Menards, whatever.

That high current fuse array shown at the beginning of Tyson's video (great that he talked of possible differences) - that has a leg that's responsible for charging the aux battery and that often gets fried when people jump in and replace batteries but don't really fully disconnect the ground cables at the main battery - they leave the two black cables connected. So that can be a problem before - but it's often a problem after people jump in and replace batteries because the internet told them to - but didn't tell them how to do it properly.

That CANBus connector area - if you get MIL and codes that mention the CANbus, message errors, out of order errors, communication errors, that's indeed a common spot. Sometimes it's a matter of simply unplugging, checking, reseating the connectors, sometimes a part is needed but it's not an uncommon thing.

These -

- all went away with taking care of the CANbus star connector Tyson shows behind the glove box. Not a single message has returned, I've not had a MIL or code in almost a year now.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I know that when the CEL (Avengers! Lol) light comes on, everyone's first action is to replace the batteries. Obviously there are a number of things that will initiate a CEL light, but there are a few things that can be quickly checked before you spend $300 - $700 on batteries or $1000+ on a dual battery setup. I made a quick video to show those few things and where they're located. Check it out!

I know that when the CEL (Avengers! Lol) light comes on, everyone's first action is to replace the batteries. Obviously there are a number of things that will initiate a CEL light, but there are a few things that can be quickly checked before you spend $300 - $700 on batteries or $1000+ on a dual battery setup. I made a quick video to show those few things and where they're located. Check it out!

Outstanding. I didn’t know about the fuse array. Thanks very much.

 

[Hootbro]

Nice video.

Who makes that positive post clamp setup you have on your main battery?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Nice video.

Who makes that positive post clamp setup you have on your main battery?

I forgot - was going to ask that same thing. I really like those.

 

[tysongladiator]

Outstanding. I didn’t know about the fuse array. Thanks very much.

Yea. A lot of people don't. I'm just trying to keep the community informed.

You're welcome, my friend!

 

[tysongladiator]

Haven't yet watched it, but seeing who it's from, I know it will be good when I do.
While at a neighbor's usual 10 am coffee meet at his shop, several of us were talking issues with cars, especially current cars even those these guys all drive 50's Chevy or flat head powered 40's Fords, blown chevy trucks or whatever........... and one of the common mentions was "check grounds".
They were talking newer Ford and Chevy cars and trucks, and now and then a classic was brought up but the common theme - "check grounds".
I thought - AHA! It's NOT a Jeep thing! ?
Seriously - it was like listening to a bunch of Jeep owners sitting around talking of their battery and other electrical issues but not a one of them owns a Jeep (I'm the only one of the group of 20 or so who have AMC or Jeep vehicles)

I'm a lifelong troubleshooter. My thing is "diagnose and troubleshoot". LOGIC, not "but this is what the internet says".
Your best tools - logic, diagnosing, troubleshooting (and patience!)

Now to watch the video............

I appreciate that brother!

Yes! Once you find out that a lot of these issues aren't related to just jeeps, all you can do is laugh.? And speaking of that ground issue that I had. When it first happened, I even went to the dealer because I couldn't figure it out. They couldn't either. Then when I found them and told them what it was, they said it was my fault and to just put a screw in the terminal.?‍?

But you also mentioned something that no one seems to want to do anymore. "Diagnose and troubleshoot." Everyone just wants to buy, buy, buy. I'm assuming you're an older gentleman like myself. If you can remember, back in the day we didn't have this tech that we have now.

OBD II, canbus, SGW, code scanner, etc. None of those terms existed. So, we had no choice but to "diagnose and troubleshoot." It's how we learned. And it's paying off for people like us. "The Lifelong troubleshooters." I actually like that term. Lol

 

[tysongladiator]

The more i see of your stuff, the more I like.
Wow, love those battery connectors.
And the tip on the terminal connections - excellent. That's something that was discussed last week at coffee - you get some resistance in there - doesn't take much, and you have a voltage drop and now the system is seeing lies instead of truth and tries to compensate or you get goofy voltage messages, whatever. That was one of the better parts - showing how that can LOOK tight - but not be.
I do hope you went back later and picked up the stuff you tossed - love it.

One thing I'll add - any DIYer must have a good volt meter. When I say good I don't mean you need a $300 Fluke or whatever, but you should have one that is accurate to within 0.00 volts and that can be done today for not a lot of money at Walmart, Costco, Menards, whatever.

That high current fuse array shown at the beginning of Tyson's video (great that he talked of possible differences) - that has a leg that's responsible for charging the aux battery and that often gets fried when people jump in and replace batteries but don't really fully disconnect the ground cables at the main battery - they leave the two black cables connected. So that can be a problem before - but it's often a problem after people jump in and replace batteries because the internet told them to - but didn't tell them how to do it properly.

That CANBus connector area - if you get MIL and codes that mention the CANbus, message errors, out of order errors, communication errors, that's indeed a common spot. Sometimes it's a matter of simply unplugging, checking, reseating the connectors, sometimes a part is needed but it's not an uncommon thing.

These -

- all went away with taking care of the CANbus star connector Tyson shows behind the glove box. Not a single message has returned, I've not had a MIL or code in almost a year now.

Wow, you just dissected and added to my video and post. And I love it. Teach us more. This is how we learn from each other and how it's supposed to be.

I did toss those shims in that package kind of far and had to look for them. Didn't know where the heck I threw them.?

Yes, you're correct. Everyone should have a good voltmeter. And speaking of Fluke. Yes, I have one. Between my Dad and I, we have a few of them. My dad is a contractor by trade. Electrical, masonry, carpentry, etc. And not only have I worked with my dad since I was 10, but I was an HVAC mechanic by trade. So, having a good voltmeter is essential.

 

[tysongladiator]

Nice video.

Who makes that positive post clamp setup you have on your main battery?

I got those from good ole Amazon. I actually saw them on someone else's jeep. They were just what I was looking for. I have aftermarket lockers and the Lasfit switch panel. So, I needed extra connections. Those terminals fit the bill.

Vgate 4 post (12 way) Battery terminal: https://a.co/d/cRayBcp
Vgate 6 post (20 way) Battery Terminal: https://a.co/d/3vU9VRq

 

[Charles 236]

It is definitely worthwhile to troubleshoot problems instead of firing the parts shotgun at them. Checking grounds, and fuses is simple, and sometimes saves digging deeper for a solution. I also will say to use caution in working around the Z Case fuse at the end of the PDC (fuse box). I have worked on vehicles that were towed in because of improper battery disconnect and reconnect procedures that resulted in a blown Z Case fuse and a tow bill.

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