Newbie - 96 with intermittent starting issues.

[jeepgirl]

Hi. My 96 has an odd problem. It will randomly not start.....not turn over, nothing. If I wait about 20 minutes to 30 minutes, it starts right up. It has only done this twice, but I am afraid it will do it to me when I absolutely have to be somewhere...like work. The first time I thought it was because I was monkeying around the the key fob, hitting the unlock button...ahem....several times more than necessary. The second time I jumped off the freeway to get gas and when I turned the key, nada. I waited for a friend to come tow me away from the gas pump and as soon as he had me hooked up, of course, it started. Has this happened to anyone else? Suggestions, please?

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Clean the battery cables. How old is the battery?

 

[jeepgirl]

clean battery

Good idea about cleaning the battery. It is 2 years old and there is some acid gunk on the positive terminal. I did check the battery both times it didn't start, and I figured if the connections were tight that I was ok. I will give a cleaning a try.
Thanks!

 

[Heavymentill]

Check your battery with a hydrometer. This is the best way to make sure your battery is good. A refractometer will also work.