I have an interlock (for those that don't know what this is it's a little machine that tests how much alcohol is in your breath) installed in my 2002 Jeep Liberty Sport. I've been having electrical problems in it ever since it was installed. Prior to it being installed the jeep wasn't mine, it was my grandfathers, and he says it really wasn't driven for a while consistantly but it didn't have any electrical problems before the interlock was put in. I'm not sure if this is accurate or not because I'd never driven it before the installation. Either way, now I believe I have a short in the electrical somewhere in the system. I'm not sure how to proceed, other then to check the fuses. We've tried jump starting the car, thinking maybe the battery was dead or the alternator went out, but the cables just started smoking and getting really hot, even melted off some of the plastic. I really need to know how to proceed to find this short, will I have to look at all the wires in the car? Or is it possible to just use the fuse box? My knowledge of electric in a car is very limited, though I do know the basic mechanics. I'm thinking I should take a meter out there and just run it down the fuses, I'm wondering if anyone could give me a basic idea of what I need to do?
Liberty Electric Problems (Advice?)
- Thread starter Absolute
- Start date
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Cardhu
Full Access Member
Your battery cables were smoking and melting plastic? Normally i'd say start with removing the interlock but have bigger issues to contend with first.
Do you have power when you put the key to run. What voltage is on your battery(presumably not running). Did you fry something when you jumped it. check the big fuses under the hood.
Do you have power when you put the key to run. What voltage is on your battery(presumably not running). Did you fry something when you jumped it. check the big fuses under the hood.
Billwill
Full Access Member
Battery jump cables smoking normaly means you put the cables on the wrong way.!
If this is the case you probably have blown the fusable link going between the alternator and the battery. Measure the thick cable going from alternator to the battery for continuity, if this has blown you will get the red charge light once you get the engine running, good chance that you will have blown the PCM or TCM.
Lets start from beginning, what happens when you turn the ignition key?
If this is the case you probably have blown the fusable link going between the alternator and the battery. Measure the thick cable going from alternator to the battery for continuity, if this has blown you will get the red charge light once you get the engine running, good chance that you will have blown the PCM or TCM.
Lets start from beginning, what happens when you turn the ignition key?
Milesvdustin
Full Access Member
I'm willing to bet you took out some very fragile components. Your battery is probably a weak link now.
