Electrical help needed, my LJ is dead at the moment

[ZUKEYPR]

Gone for eight days. Battery is brand new Sears platinum. Alternator was working fine when I left. Here's what I believe is happening but don't know why. About two years ago I had a Kenwood stereo installed by bestbuy. I didn't notice until later that the stereo would not operate on Accessory key position . No big deal, sucks but not life ending. Then about two weeks ago when I would shut the ignition off all the stereo lights (and I mean all) would illuminate . I thought after driving 37 years I've had all my first experiences but clearly I was wrong. So I couldn't get the stereo lights off so I just detached the face plate. I suppose that did nothing to stop what ever the cause was from continually draining my battery why I was gone. Thoughts on cause and solution? 05 LJ.

 

[B2-Bomber]

Electrical Diag is a Forte of mine. My guess is back feeding through the deck itself

 

[ZUKEYPR]

Back feeding, what's that mean, dumb it down a bit please. Thanks

 

[bryson]

I'd be happy to come over and fix the stereo wiring (assuming that is the problem.) Shoot me a text and we'll talk.

 

[Samersen]

So about two years ago I drove to work and then came out after to start my LJ and it was dead. I thought battery or starter, it wouldn't even crank. Apparently what it was, was a little metal rod inside the steering column broke. It was the rod that went from the key cylinder to turn the car on. (Sorry I don't know names of all these pieces) But I do have a picture somewhere of the broken piece. Really odd but my "electrical" problem ended up not being electrical.

 

[B2-Bomber]

Bad ig switch would leave everything on. .. not just stereo

 

[gijohn40]

maybe everything was on... what actually shows signs of being on other then the radio?

 

[B2-Bomber]

Blower motor? Turn signals? Things like that

 

[ZUKEYPR]

I'd be happy to come over and fix the stereo wiring (assuming that is the problem.) Shoot me a text and we'll talk.

Cool, unfortunately I can't do it this weekend, but I got to get this battery charged back up and keep it from draining. I'm assuming if I just pull the fuse for the stereo (which I was going to do before I left) I would be temporarily good to go, assuming that's what it is?

 

[ZUKEYPR]

maybe everything was on... what actually shows signs of being on other then the radio?

hmmh, got me thinking on secondary potential root causes. When I turn my Jeep off, I never leave anything else switched on such as the blower motor....could be plausible. Plus...probably unrelated to your potential cause, but my keys don't even stay in the ignition anymore it's so worn. Also, that was another thing about my stereo, when you turned the ignition switch on the stereo would come on with me not touching a thing. I thought that was strange as well.

 

[B2-Bomber]

Well the ignition drum, is entirely separate from the ignition switch. The switch could be functioning properly, but the drum is worn/inop. Or vice-versa

 

[ZUKEYPR]

So what did you mean by back feeding through the stereo

 

[B2-Bomber]

For example, the stereo has an un switched battery power that maintains memory. This circuit is separated internally with a couple of means (i.e. diodes etc) if an internal solder connection rattled loose, or a diode failed the un switched power could then be connected to the switched power side. And actually could mimic a bad ignition switch because it also could energize the entire ignition circuit

 

[johnsonbz]

Traced a similar issue on my 04 LJ. I know yours looks like a radio issue, but here is a FWIW -
Took me months to find the cause. It ended up being the multi-function fog light light switch on left side of my steering column - various temperature changes caused expansion of the plastic and my fogs would turn on - draining my battery, and pissing me off.

Found this post-
http://www.wranglerforum.com/f282/jeep-wrangler-fog-light-switch-problem-166916.html

I pulled the fuse until I can get a new switch and I have not had battery issue since then.

 

[ZUKEYPR]

Thanks for the back feed definition.

 

[ZUKEYPR]

Crap maybe it's multiple because oddly enough not more than a month ago I came out of work and my fog lights were on. Hot as hell. I had to fiddle with the switch to get them off. Forgot all about it until you mentioned it. Well at least I have a few starting points to look at. Thanks folks