Automotive Forums

With gas prices as they are, my wife and I started to carpool to work this summer.  As a result, I would drive my Jeep once a week.  After a few weeks, I went to start my Jeep and it was dead.  When I turned the ignition, it didn't even try to turn over.  It would click once, then the gauges would flicker back and forth and a repeated clicking would continue in the gauge area for a few seconds.  

I tried to jump it with a Hyundai Elantra... nothing.  I tried a battery charger plugged in overnight... nothing.  We cleaned the battery contacts, checked water levels, etc.  We were thinking that I should still replace the battery as it was at least 4 years old, but that the problem was the starter.  I spoke with friends who have Jeeps and had read multiple forums online that stated that this exact issue with Jeeps was either a battery or starter issue.  As such, I was resolved with buying both.

Another mechanically inclined friend happened to stop by and tapped the starter with a hammer, which did nothing.  We were concluding that the problem was still the starter when he realized there was also a clicking coming from the fuse box next to the battery when I tried to turn the ingnition.  While checking all fuses, we found that the battery fuse was blown.  Although it was a 10, I used a 15 replacement fuse temporarily and was able to sucessfully jump start my Jeep.  I ran it for a while, turned it off, and it was dead.  I jumped it again, drove it for an hour, and it was dead. It didn't even try to start.

I am going to jump it again and drive it to Advance Auto Parts to have them test my battery, starter, and alternator (and buy fuses).  I am planning on having to get a battery, but I am concerned that the problem lies further than the battery.  What would cause the battery fuse to blow in the first place (I realize there was a surge of electricity)?  Is there something draining my battery that will do so to the new one once installed?  Since my car has started twice with a jump, I can assume my starter is okay, right?  

It's just that weird stuff happens that doesn't add up, such as my rear right window going down automatically when I finally was able to jump my Jeep.  If you have had this same issue or it makes sense to you, please advise what you have seen or theorize.  Any help is greatly appreciated.