Today I parked my yellow TJ VR-X at the shops and when I returned to it it wouldn't start.

The radio and indicator lights and everything works fine until I attempt to start the engine at which point everything dies (no sounds of starter motor or anything to indicate the engine turning over).

After attempting to start, to get everything (radio, lights, central locking etc) I must disconnect the battery and reconnect.

Earlier today I got it stuck on a small hill (don't ask) and spun the wheels quite alot, ended up putting it in second to slowly try to climb the small incline without it slipping. I eventually got it out but could this have caused my issue?

thanks

I bet the battery posts are in need of a really good clean! Sand paper on the post and inside the terminal.

Not related to your (poor) hill climbing effort, IMHO. lol

Could be an alternator issue. Do you have roadside assist?

I brought a working battery to it and tried, same result. No roadside assist as I'm poor.

actually I did notice a large amount of powdery residue on the battery terminals also.

Clean the battery connection, then if it doesn't work get a multi and see if the starter's getting any power.

actually I did notice a large amount of powdery residue on the battery terminals also.

when you eventually get it working, if you coat the terminals with grease, it stops the air reacting with the metal (or maybe its the moisture in the air?) so the powdery stuff doesn't form.

Pour hot water or hot water with bi-carb soda then rinse to clear off the powdery stuff, then take off the (-) then the (+), sand the insides, sand the outsides of the battery terminals, apply a little vasaline, grease, or I bought a little teaspoon sized packet of battery terminal protectant from a car shop once, (probably just blue grease, about $2?), has done mums battery, 2 of my batteries, and still got some left. Reconnect the (+) then the (-). Sometimes give it a little twist back and forth as it starts to tighten up just to squish out any excess grease between the metal contacts. I've seen a few cars not start because the battery terminals were corroded or the clip had worked its way loose, if its loose simply tightening it won't fix it if any dirt or muck has fallen down the gap between the battery post and clip.

Thanks heaps for the advice guys, I'm going to try cleaning the posts today and if that fails I'll probably just have it towed to a mech as I'll need to get it out of that carpark.

Seems that was the problem! Thanks heaps guys you're awesome.

Stef.

Seems that was the problem! Thanks heaps guys you're awesome.

Stef.

My car does the same thing every couple of years, must be moisture or something in the air. Haven't tried using grease though will definitely give that a shot.

Seems that was the problem! Thanks heaps guys you're awesome.

Stef.

Yes! Awesome! We are all awesome! (*DOES LITTLE VICTORY DANCE *)

Used to be a common problem with older cars, easy to test too, just turn lights on, try starting, then feel the battery terminals. One will be warmer/hot compared to the other, that's the one to clean. lol

glad its fixed:)

what a contribution to the thread!!! ^^^

no comment.