I bought a 2005 Rubicon in December and sometimes it does not want to turn over. When I push the starter button it turns until the motor meets compression then it stops and the instrument pod goes blank. acts to me like the battery is not up or the starter is dragging. When I took it in for the first service I told them about it and when I picked it up they said it was normal. Last night I had to use the pull rope to get past compression stroke so the starter would crank it over. I would like to know if anyone else has this problem before I call the dealer again?

 

abusolty not normal at all. Check you battery cables make sure there tight. Then if you have a volt meter, check and see what the voltage is then crank over the motor if the battery is good it should drop below 10.5 volts. Sounds to me like a junk battery or a loose cable somewhere.

 

Yep I agree, its sounds like you got a junk Battery. I live in wisconsin and when its cold like 0^ outside its hard to start but will always turn over.

 

My '05 does the same thing, I think it's just the nature of the cold blooded beast. I always use the choke, pull and hold it out while pressing the start button, if it doesn't start right up I give it a pump on the primer and that does the trick.

 

Ya but it sound like when he hits his start button it cranks then STOPS that ain't right at all. Sounds like BAD battery.
To do one of these batteries the right way you need to let the acid pack drain into the battey and then soak for an hour, then charge slowly. On a charge with low amps. Most likey the deal was in a hurry and serviced the battery by charging it with 10amps for a hour, and got it really hot and warped the plates inside.

 

YES I think the battery is bad because when I get it started once it will be ok for the rest of the day, but when it is cold and I hit the button the motor turns until it meets compression then it stops and the instrument pod goes blank. Thanks for all your help I think it is time to see my friendly dealer again.

 

Please post your findings, I don't think both our batteries are bad, but I've been wrong before.

 

there is a ground fault. it is shorting out some where. , But on cold starts if you drop the clip 1 postoin in the winter it will richen it more and it will ad in the starting of the machine

 

Gassrx, what's that mean "drop the clip one position"? I'm not much of a mechanic so keep it simple, please.

 

try charging the battery or put one of them jump stars on it and try to fire it that way. does a rubicon have a pull start or can you roll start it ?