BATTERY KEEPS DISCHARGING AFTER TRANSFER CASE REPLACEMENT

[RDoverland]

Hey everyone,

I recently replaced the transfer case on my 2020 Jeep Wrangler JL Sport S with the exact same model as the original. Everything went in smoothly, but since the install, my battery keeps discharging overnight.
There were zero issues before the swap, so I’m trying to trace what could’ve gone wrong during the process.
To remove the transfer case, I had to lower the transmission. Could that have affected any electrical wiring or ground connections? I’m wondering if maybe something got pinched or stretched, during the reassembly. Where would the wires be located?? Has anyone experienced a parasitic drain after doing drivetrain work like this?

Here’s where it gets even weirder…

After unplugging the battery for about 30 minutes to reset everything, I started the Jeep the next morning and my Sport S flashed the Rubicon logo on the dash. Uh… what?

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[GATORB8]

IIRC, you can pin test for current draw across each fused circuit to identify which one it is.

Park it, pop the hood and pull the fuse box cover, let it go to sleep.

Get pins out for your multimeter, set it in a low amp reading and go to town.

I'd expect you're seeing over an amp of draw if it's killing a brand new battery overnight.

 

[RDoverland]

Sounds like a plan. Hopefully I’ll find it. Thanks. I’ll post the results after.

 

[Nitehawk92]

Hey everyone,

I recently replaced the transfer case on my 2020 Jeep Wrangler JL Sport S with the exact same model as the original. Everything went in smoothly, but since the install, my battery keeps discharging overnight.
There were zero issues before the swap, so I’m trying to trace what could’ve gone wrong during the process.
To remove the transfer case, I had to lower the transmission. Could that have affected any electrical wiring or ground connections? I’m wondering if maybe something got pinched or stretched, during the reassembly. Where would the wires be located?? Has anyone experienced a parasitic drain after doing drivetrain work like this?

Here’s where it gets even weirder…

After unplugging the battery for about 30 minutes to reset everything, I started the Jeep the next morning and my Sport S flashed the Rubicon logo on the dash. Uh… what?

It was a lot of years ago and cars have changed a lot, but I had the same issue after replacing the clutch on a VW Rabbit. It turned out to be a loose ground wire on the transmission. Make sure to check all the ground wire and make ensure they are tight...

 

[RDoverland]

So I checked the wires and didn’t see anything loose or disconnected. It all seems ok. I also checked for a parasitic drain and didn’t find anything. Maybe it’s just a bad battery…??? Maybe it is just a coincident and it just gave up after the new transfer case installation. Idk.

 

[azjl#3]

how old is the battery?? What is it's engine off voltage

 

[RDoverland]

It’s my first battery. I had it since I bought the jeep in 2020. I just disconnected the battery and will let it sit unplugged overnight to see if it drains on its own.

 

[azjl#3]

Get thee to a battery store post haste my friend. You have dead batteries, not discharging batteries...

 

[RDoverland]

I guess that’s what I’ll do next. New battery if this one doesn’t hold over night.

 

[GATORB8]

So I checked the wires and didn’t see anything loose or disconnected. It all seems ok. I also checked for a parasitic drain and didn’t find anything. Maybe it’s just a bad battery…??? Maybe it is just a coincident and it just gave up after the new transfer case installation. Idk.

Shit, can’t believe I missed it was an OG battery and made you do that. My OEM gave up in 24 months.

 

[azjl#3]

do you have a second battery i take it you do, replace it as well.

 

[RDoverland]

I’ll double check everything today… again. Just in case I didn’t test it right or if my multimeter was set to wrong settings lol.

 

[RDoverland]

Shit, can’t believe I missed it was an OG battery and made you do that. My OEM gave up in 24 months.

I’ll give it one more shot and test everything.

 

[Terrymo]

Shit, can’t believe I missed it was an OG battery and made you do that. My OEM gave up in 24 months.

Mine lasted about 2 years as well before I lost confidence it. I preemptively change all our automotive batteries rather than trying to squeeze every last day out of them.

 

[RDoverland]

Mine lasted about 2 years as well before I lost confidence it. I preemptively change all our automotive batteries rather than trying to squeeze every last day out of them.

It’s just so weird that it happened right after I replaced my transfer case. No warning signs at all.

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