XJ Electrical Problem

[BrianXJ]

Ok so driving my XJ today and its raining. Driving fine then I noticed that the battery gauge die to 0 then the clock dies out. So, I jump out that raise the hood. The belt is still there and still one piece. The headlights still come on, the four ways still work, interior lights still work. When you turn the key to on nothing happens. Could it be the iginition switch fried while driving. I also took the K-1 connector loose and tried to clean it. No help. I need some thoughts or ideas what this may be. It my DD.

[Jamie Lynn]

It could be the alternator.

[bluedragon436]

I was thinking the Alt.... especially with it's low position on the engine... and if it went out then everything would be powered by the battery which would not be getting charged... then it won't start up... and it probably still has enough power to power those lights...

[BrianXJ]

It could be the alternator.

i think if it was the alternator that none of the lights would work because the battery would be drained. But they all work like they should.

[Jamie Lynn]

I have had a couple of old vehicles do that..where the lights worked but it was the alternator...

[BrianXJ]

When you turn the key to the on position there is no gauge movement. No seat belt light, no brake light. no nothing

[4.3LXJ]

Brian. I believe on the 87 there are four fusible links on the hot wires that come off the starter relay on the fender well by the battery. They are the protection for the entire fuse block and other systems even though they might be fused later. One of these has probably gone south on you. You will need a test light or an ohm meter and a strait pin to poke the wire through the insulation to test them. The fusible links look like a short section of green or orange wire. I replaced mine with circuit breakers so if one goes, it will not strand me permanently. Those will reset themselves when they cool off.

[BrianXJ]

ok I am going to let it set overnight and till I get up tomorrow I will have to check those. I have a test light so i will check them out thanks

[steph74]

start the engine and put a voltmeter on the battery with engine running.... i believe (not positive though) that the voltage should be around 14V meaning that the alternator / charging system is working fine and doing it's job...
if it doesn't then maybe start tracking...
if it does then I guess you could focuse on the sending unit, I am sure that there is one hidden somewhere that measure amps and tell your gauge

[steph74]

never mind I didn;t read your first post properly... your car is not running at all...so pb is deeper obviously

[BrianXJ]

ok so I have now found the wiring diagram and know where to start looking. I will be tracing wires tomorrow and will try and take some pics as I go.

[BrianXJ]

Brian. I believe on the 87 there are four fusible links on the hot wires that come off the starter relay on the fender well by the battery. They are the protection for the entire fuse block and other systems even though they might be fused later. One of these has probably gone south on you. You will need a test light or an ohm meter and a strait pin to poke the wire through the insulation to test them. The fusible links look like a short section of green or orange wire. I replaced mine with circuit breakers so if one goes, it will not strand me permanently. Those will reset themselves when they cool off.

What ampage breaker did you use?

[4.3LXJ]

I used 30A. Mine were all green, which is 30A. Yours may also have an orange one which is 20A

[BrianXJ]

Great thanks

[BrianXJ]

Ok so today I walk out and pop the hood on my Dino-Jeep. Started with Checking the fusible links like suggested. Was moving the wires around looking for obvious signs. That is when this wire that is bear in the pic fell apart.

http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z418/BrianXJ/XJ%20repair/100_2662.jpg

So i then stripped the wire and tied them together and she started right up like nothing ever happened. So i taped up the wires for now.
http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z418/BrianXJ/XJ%20repair/100_2663.jpg


I am going back to the parts store to return my ignition switch I bought as a just-in-case and purchase 3- 30 amp breakers and 2- 20 amp breakers and rewire the Starter Relay. Will post pics of all done and neat when finished.

[PolarXJ]

Glad that you found the culprit.

[4.3LXJ]

:thumbsup:

[Jamie Lynn]

So Happy that you got it all figured out Brian..:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[bluedragon436]

Glad you found the culprit Brian...