possible wiring issues, and how to fix it?

[Twan013]

I found a 95 Rodeo 3.2 4x4, 5-speed, etc. etc for sale. At first, the car lot told me it was $3995, and there wasn't anything out of the ordinary wrong with it... but as you may know, the more you go to check it out, the more you find wrong with it.. i went back today, and talked to another person about it, and he told me it has a wiring problem and they have to jump-start the battery almost every day... ok, that sucks, BUT he said the junk yard offered him 2500 for it, and that's how much he'd sell it to me for.. i test-drove it the other day, and it ran fine, as far as i could tell... i mean, i don't really know what exactly to look for in a 4x4, and i couldn't really hear any engine noise because of the tires (265/75R16 off-roadies).. there was one small thing that i did notice though... when i first started it, the fan belt squealed for a few seconds, and then it quit... i hope i've given enough info for someone to get close to what the problem could be... right now, my guesses are an old battery, an alternator that needs to be replaced, or maybe one of the wires are shorted (maybe from the previous owner running around in the woods and mud).. oh, one more thing, is the back window won't close, the latch (the metal loop attached to the window) is missing one of the screws, and i think that's the problem with that... it doesn't have any signs of leakage (no stains in the back).... anyone have any advice?

[bradley]

damn thats cheap, the canadian dollar is still well on par with the aussie, and we would pay 4-5 times that for a 4x4 rodeo, if it runs ok when going, its probably just a stuffed battery, new battery and drive belts wont cost much, window should be easy, sounds good, especially for 2500 !!

[Twan013]

aussie? not hardly (i'd love to visit and go on a week long safari down there), i'm in america... alabama... i guess i should have mentioned US... but i just thought of another option... i could install a master switch somewhere... that way, i could quickly disconnect the battery, and not have to worry about it draining and all... what am i saying? is that how master switches/kill switches work?? i know that they work like, if you flip over or something, you can flip it, and it prevents a fire or something like that.... but would it still work the same? and of course, this is if the problem is past the alternator and/or battery

[bradley]

sorry mate, i thought it was jasper in canada on your handle, come on down, but a week will only just get you outside the cities a lota stuff to see here.

[JohnJohn]

Probably easier to take it to an auto electrician to get a Quote to fix rather than fit battery isolator switches.

For get to flip it one night and guess what a flat battery the next morning

[GOT MUD]

the fan belt squeal gould be that its not tight enough and that may be not running the alternator properly also could have a broken bolt on one of the brackets that hold the wheel the belt goes around a mate has the same thing happen when he starts his v6 and its a broken bolt back cant remember which one he said but as stated above see if they let you take it to a auto elec and get them to test it out could be as simple as the battery has collapsed and wont take any charge at all the yard may not want to replace it cheers