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'88 Wagoneer - No visible power, power in fuse box
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go hereXJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.
'88 Cherokee (XJ) - No visible power, power in fuse box
I just purchased a 1988 Jeep Wagoneer XJ that shows no power (it appears like there isn't even a battery in it) even though the battery is new (and working). So far I have replaced the batter, postive/negative wires/terminals, starter relay and ignition switch. I have tested power through most of the engine up to the fuse box (including each fuse). I see power throughout but I get nothing even with the key in ignition. When I first got the car I put in a battery but it apparently had bad insulation on the positive wire which was touching the metal battery holder bolt and started to smoke. I immediately removed the negative and replaced the battery wires but still nothing.
Any ideas?
Note: it was sitting for a few years prior to me getting it so I am not sure if the issue happened because of it arcing (potentially) or if it was having issues before that.
I didn't think to measure at the ignition switch because I replaced the whole thing but I will check that and circle back. I did test everything coming off the starter relay (on the wire). All showed powered prior to replacing, although after replacing the bottom 2 didn't get anything but since the issue was present prior to replacing I assumed it wasn't connected and I would address it later.
Tested the ignition switch and no issues. I did notice that I can't seem to get a ground anywhere in the car (or on the door). I tried virtually every metal surface, bolt and existing grounds that I saw. I went back to the ground connection from the negative wire and notice only one bolt get a ground. Not sure if it's connected but thought I would see if I am doing something wrong or if it could be related. I attached picture using a circuit tester to show.
That don't look like a ground point. It looks like a circuit breaker that someone added, possibly to replace one of the fusible links that's normally by the starter relay. (something else you should look at, btw). Assuming that's a circuit breaker, it's either the connections are rusted to the point of failure, or it's opened up. I'd take the wires off, clean them up, and temporarily connect them together to see what happens.
I would also go to cruiser54.com and start going through his tips, especially the ones about refreshing the grounds.
That don't look like a ground point. It looks like a circuit breaker that someone added, possibly to replace one of the fusible links that's normally by the starter relay. (something else you should look at, btw). Assuming that's a circuit breaker, it's either the connections are rusted to the point of failure, or it's opened up. I'd take the wires off, clean them up, and temporarily connect them together to see what happens.
I would also go to cruiser54.com and start going through his tips, especially the ones about refreshing the grounds.
Where does that smaller wire on the ground terminal go? Is that going to that circuit breaker? I'm thinking you need to trace some wires and see where they go, and make sure you don't have the battery leads or wires swapped around.
There is a wirer next to a gold color metal box , the wirer is red and has a black end on it then the color goes to black . that looks like a fusible link that mite be bad - what that is is a wire that is a fuse that will burn out if shorted . it is in the circle
04-02-2021, 07:26 PM
'88 Cherokee (XJ) - No visible power, power in fuse box
