Beauford Posted June 27, 2021 Report Share Posted June 27, 2021 I have a 2014 Dodge Journey RX I bought about 2 months ago and I just noticed a strange and possibly dangerous thing it is doing. Out of nowhere the car will just lose all power and turn off and I will have no power brakes or steering or anything else. I have narrowed down the problem but not sure what the root cause is. Just under the hood to the left of the fuse box there is a battery cable that has a red cap on it which I believe runs down to the actual battery (see pic). If I even just touch this lightly, all the power comes back on and the car is fine again for a while. If I were to touch it while the car was running, it would lose power immediately. I have checked this cable and it appears to be tight under the red cap, but from there I don't know as the battery is buried so deep in the motor no normal person can get at it. I don't want to mess with it too much as all I need is to fry the computer or something. The reason I even found out about this is I had to disconnect the cable once to reset the computer as the phone wasn't working. Anyone here hear of this or know if it is just a cable issue, or is there something else brewing. Thanks, Beauford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5rebel9 Posted June 27, 2021 Report Share Posted June 27, 2021 LOL. If you touch the B+ wire as you describe at the TIPM/FUSE PANEL, Then the nut under the red cap is NOT tightened enough to keep wire in good connection. You stated you had it off once. 2late4u 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beauford Posted June 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 I'm not the strongest man on the planet, but it is tight. I will check it in the morning again just to be sure. This is the first car I have ever owned that is not 20 years old and couldn't care less about, so I am kind of being a bit careful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John/Horace Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 If you using a metal wrench on the positive terminal, be careful not to make contact with metal car part anywhere. You will arc out battery with a dead short, sparks and maybe damage something. Wrap end of wrench or keep hand over end while tightening. Like 5rebel9 is saying, must not be tight enough. It’s like battery terminal post, after tightening always try to twist with gloved hand. Should not be any movement in either direction. Add a lock washer if normal torque not tightening connection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhareFred Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 And just so you know the battery is in front of the drivers side tire. Not that horrible to get to, but it is a tight fit, and definitely not buried under the motor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5rebel9 Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 I just remembered, the type nut that is used for the jumper post positive and negative cables are a "squished" top SELF LOCKING NUT. they start easy like a normal nut, but increase in turning effort as the stud threads near the top of the nut. This is to prevent the nut from coming loose on its own from any vehicle vibrations. AND probably why you feel the nut is "tight:. 2late4u and OhareFred 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beauford Posted June 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 The nut is certainly tight enough, but now I can't get it to run at all. There is also a yellow wire with an inline fuse that goes under the vehicle somewhere, not sure what it is or if it has anything to do with things. Calling Dodge dealer now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5rebel9 Posted June 28, 2021 Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 Well, It will be interesting to hear back from you what the DEALER finds. larryl 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John/Horace Posted June 29, 2021 Report Share Posted June 29, 2021 Some people have had problem with main power feed to fuse box cable. Behind plastic cover crimp has corrosion. OhareFred and Locosiete 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2late4u Posted July 14, 2021 Report Share Posted July 14, 2021 On 6/28/2021 at 9:18 AM, Beauford said: The nut is certainly tight enough, but now I can't get it to run at all. There is also a yellow wire with an inline fuse that goes under the vehicle somewhere, not sure what it is or if it has anything to do with things. Calling Dodge dealer now. well it sure didnt come from the factory with an inline fuse,why not follow where the wire goes to?is the fuse blown as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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