Wiring nightmare. Uhhhhggg!

[Paddletrucker]

Well, yesterday, I drove my XJ to town. About 5 miles each way. It hasn't been off the place in a while. I've been doing a lot of over the road driving and my beloved green jeep has been neglected. Today, it will not start. No clicks. No nothing. Everything comes on. Battery I'd charged fully. Well.....almost everything. The headlights will not come on.

Another weird new phenomenon is that the stupid El cheapo alarm wouldn't turn off. I thought the key fob was bad. Since I've always hated the stupid thing. I did an "alarmectomy" this morning to see if that would help anything. No change, but lots less wires and no more stupid mid '90's dumbass alarm. Still no change. Won't start. Won't do anything.

I can't figure what changed from yesterday. I don't know if the headlights worked yesterday. I doubt it. I chased a mouse out of the back seat. could he have modified my jeeps wiring. It's already ugly and hacked into, it looks like. The alarm didn't look like a professional job. Not with the black tape splices and a few other dead give aways like bread ties used in place of zip ties for wire retention.

Oh, for posterity, here is the alarm, post op.





One of those crazy ones that only alert if you open a door, or if it's in a "mood" and you happen to be driving down the highway.

[Paddletrucker]

And whatever this is....is getting really hot. Would this thing go bad and not let my baby start?

[4.3LXJ]

That looks like a flasher of some kind. On the alarm issue, the aftermarket ones are a pain. They will quit or are wired in wrong etc. The thing to check is if the ASD relay is working in the power distribution center. That is usually what they disable. The factory one does too. Might have to have the little woman work the key while you put your finger on it and see if it clicks. You can pull the relay and see if it gets power when you turn the key. Also check the fuse for it in the same place

[Paddletrucker]

ASD relay? Where and what is that? It's not a 500hp Cat diesel. I don't know squat. Lol

[4.3LXJ]

Cat Diesels don't have them. As a side note, I had a 3208 in a Ford Pickup once upon a time.

There is a long box on the passenger side fender well. Take the lid off and is should have everything in there labeled. ASD will be on one of the places and the fuse for it marked also in the diagram in the lid

[Paddletrucker]

OK thanks. Wife just drove her car in here with a blown head gasket. Right now, wife is taking priority. Not turning out to be great day.

[4.3LXJ]

Happy wife, happy life

[Paddletrucker]

You did mean ADS relay, right? There's an ABS relay in there, but I can't see anti lock brakes keeping it from starting. All the big fuses look OK. Can't tell about the big expensive looking relay boxes

[4.3LXJ]

Sorry, ADS. When you put your finger on them you should feel them click when they are activated by the ignition

[Paddletrucker]

I'm not seeing that. What does ADS stand for?

[4.3LXJ]

Actually, ASD, automatic shutdown delay It powers the fuel pump relay, ignition and PCM

[bluedragon436]

All else fails you should be able to swap the relays around with another position, to see if that'll fix your issue... and if so just figure out what will now not work... lol

[Paddletrucker]

Thanks guys. I'm gonna give it one more once over and then I HAVE to lay down. Headed for Albuquerque, NM at about 8pm. I don't want to do 650 miles on a couple hours sleep.....again. have to look at it next time I'm home.

[4.3LXJ]

Safe journey Nate