I just bought my son a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. The battery and alternator were both recently replaced by the previous owner. He drove the car 2 days no problem. Today the battery was draining as he drove home and dead in the driveway when I arrived. We jumped it and it started but started draining immediately. Please advise of my next step.

probly needa new alternator or the conections are bad test it underload at a private shop or just replace

You might not believe this, but check your battery. Some of these vehicles have cut-outs when the battery level goes below a preset amount.
I work on Ford brands and on them, a low battery level will even disconnect the Alternator circuit and mess with the starter. Some even act up when the battery slightly dips below 12 volts.

Your antitheft can make your starter cut out. And If you think about it, all of the measurements to make the engine run are based on feedback of voltage and amperage. This is how the engine management system adjusts. If your prime source of power is low, then all of the following electrical readings will be low. Some may be too low to work.

Your fuelpump will hold pressure in a closed system for hours. The fuel pressure regulator will command the fuelpump to stop working if the fuel pressure is at maximum. Without responses from the other components and after satisfactory pressure, the fuelpump will turn off.

Hi Devona:
I suggest visit the Jeep site www.jeep.com or Jeep Owners Manual.

Hope this helps; also keep in mind that your feedback is important and I will appreciate your time and consideration if you leave some testimonial comment about this answer.

Thank you for using FixYa, have a nice day.

put the key in the drivers door lock it with the key still in the lock unlock it and then pull the key out do this three times that is the factory built in security programing shut off system for jeeps and chrysler

Check the belt tension,and if it is fine,replace the rack and pinion.

jeep will not starting

sounds like a bad cv joint in one (or both) of the front axles. is the popping sound more prevalent when in reverse, with the wheel turned? if so, i'd assume that it is a bad cv joint and one or both front axles will need to be replaced.

If the starter is getting proper voltage at main lead and trigger wire (with the key in "start") pull the starter. If it was making strange sounds likely there is something wrong with it. Check flywheel as well and make sure you can turn the engine by hand. If you aren't getting the proper voltage, check the battery, connections and starter relay (in power distribution center)

May sound crazy but have the alternator checked, when it fails it will shut off the gauges and make all of the electronic equipment act strange. I had a cherokee that did this to the gauges but that was b/c it was full of mud from my previous trip.

check the cam sensor and crank sensor, also is the distributor turning,possible distributor gear pin broke