Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: bRIBEGuy on January 25, 2016, 11:58:20 AM

Title: XJ Alternator Issue/Questions...
Post by: bRIBEGuy on January 25, 2016, 11:58:20 AM
So I'm driving home from Rocky Mountain House yesterday in the XJ, and around Olds my battery gauge drops from 14v down to to the bottom (9v) and sets off the "Check Gauges" light.  Crap.....dead alternator is my first thought.  Made it home, parked in the garage, and left it overnight.

Today I go out to take a look, and the Jeep starts up just fine.  Gauge is showing roughly 12v today, and no "Check Gauge" light anymore.

Pulled out the multimeter, and got 12.35v on the battery, but this drops to 11.95v if the engine is running.

Thoughts from the crowd?  I'm still thinking it's the alternator, but I wanted to toss it out there before I throw money at it.
Title: Re: XJ Alternator Issue/Questions...
Post by: morerpmfred on January 25, 2016, 01:49:52 PM
Mine yj did the same thing. Test it. Turn everything on. High beams. Rear defrost. Heat on high. Wipers. And check voltage. Should be no movement in gauge. Not a tech.
Title: Re: XJ Alternator Issue/Questions...
Post by: bRIBEGuy on January 25, 2016, 03:57:16 PM
Fully charged the battery and it came up to 12.99v static.

Started the XJ: Voltage dropped to 12.35v

Turned on the highbeams & fogs: 12.05v

Turned on the stereo: 11.97v

Dead alternator?
Title: Re: XJ Alternator Issue/Questions...
Post by: EEP on January 25, 2016, 06:22:06 PM
Not dead but not long before it craps out. Mine did the same thing.
Title: Re: XJ Alternator Issue/Questions...
Post by: hps4evr on January 25, 2016, 06:33:44 PM
Mine did this last summer... Alt and battery died by the time I got to calgary. It's a sign from the jeep gods, change the alternator.
Title: Re: XJ Alternator Issue/Questions...
Post by: bRIBEGuy on January 25, 2016, 07:57:04 PM
Thanks guys.  Sounds like my suspicions were correct.
Title: Re: XJ Alternator Issue/Questions...
Post by: EEP on January 26, 2016, 08:30:30 PM
You need a hand they can be a pita to change
Title: Re: XJ Alternator Issue/Questions...
Post by: bRIBEGuy on January 27, 2016, 07:38:18 AM
You need a hand they can be a pita to change

Thanks for the offer, but I'm just gonna wimp out and drop it off with Eric & Dave this time around.  This week is pretty busy, and I don't know when I can get to it otherwise, and I'm hoping to be running for Sunday.
Title: Re: XJ Alternator Issue/Questions...
Post by: bRIBEGuy on January 28, 2016, 08:15:12 AM
New alternator is in, gauge is sitting back near 14v, and the world seems to be as right as it ever can be for a jeep again.

:)
Title: Re: XJ Alternator Issue/Questions...
Post by: powerguys on February 04, 2016, 09:05:33 AM
Hey if you guys need any New alternators,starters,winch motors or solenoids give me a call or parts to fix your unit in bRIBEGUY case a $25 dollar brush holder would have fix it.
Rich 403-265-1010