Not sure why this is a new thread, There is a fairly complete thread on the OP's problem here:
http://www.dodgejourneyforum.com/topic/8296-battery-drain/
Well, let's start again by listing the obvious possible causes:
If the battery can start the car one day and not the next then either;
1. the battery is being drained when the vehicle is idle (as in switched off and the doors all closed and lights switched off)
2. the battery isn't being charged properly (as in 14.2 or so volts across the battery terminals when the vehicle is running) and is slowly draining
3. the battery has a wonky cell
4. Connections somewhere in the vehicle (perhaps a relay contact, ground point, connector pin) are defective/corroded.
4a. Perhaps the park/neutral switch isn't working reliably
Now, usually the alternator is wired directly across the battery and there is usually a fusible link to the battery . . . . from there it goes to various keep-alive circuits (like the ECU, Radio and such) via the fuse block and there are switches (like the brake light switch, door lock switches, the switch on the dash dimmer control, the map lights, the various door switches and does the glove box have a switch?), power seat switch that can cause power to be drawn while the vehicle is idle.
The issue is one of the 4 above.
Bad connections - grounds in particular can cause all sorts of very weird problems, but I've seen glove box light switches and brake light switches also do bad things.
Current leaks - the regulator stack in the alternator can be a discharge path as can salt-corroded connections. If there are any added accessories - something drawing significant power plugged into one of the unswitched power outlets this can be a problem - a bad relay may not be opening or a wonky control module might not be going to sleep.
Sneak currents are a real pain to find, but it shouldn't be hard to eliminate the alternator as the source of the trouble . . . . connect a voltmeter across the battery and start the car and measure the voltage - it should read 14.2 or thereabout . . . . . Next, with the car OFF, put an ampmeter in series with the battery and see what's being drawn - it shouldn't me much - the battery is likely capable of 60-100 amp-hours (I'd have to look up the battery specs) an assuming the lower limit, that the battery starts out charges and that the vehicle goes dead after 12 hours, you ought to be able to tolerate a draw of at least an amp and a half and still have more than 50% of the battery's capacity for starting. If you see considerable drain start by disconnecting the alternator to see if that changes things. If it does, get a new alternator.
If battery draw is less than one and a half amps and the vehicle still can't be started after 12 idle hours then it isn't likely to be the battery, unless the battery is wonky - to figure out whether it is a bad bond in the battery or not put your voltmeter across the battery terminals and try to start the vehicle . . . if the voltage doesn't drop during the start attempt and just sits at above 12.4 or so volts then the car isn't even trying to start, so look elsewhere.
Such fun.
If this was my vehicle. . . . . and I'm not a mechanic - I'd do the basic testing and then relegate the repair to the dealer . . . . your dealer is probably (hopefully) better at this than I am. But make sure he knows what's been done and that while you appreciate that diagnostics take time, you are not agreeing to pay to replace parts that aren't actually defective.
I'm certain that others will chime in with their suggestions to add or to critique my comments.
Ok so after bringing my JC to the dealer who wanted a lot of money I decoded to bring it to a local Mecanic very well known. He checked it out and said the new battery wasn't connected right. A day later my JC was dead again in the morning after jumping it it was stuck in limp mode traction control light was on wipers were moving. I then shut the car off restarted it now no more limp mode no traction control light and wipers stopped. I really give up at this point. Any one have same issues ?
