1999 XJ Sport Dead on the side of the road
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Greensboro, NC
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Hey guys... so my 1999 cherokee sport is laying dead on the side of the road. It had been dead in traffic but another cherokee owner helped me out 
I drove this thing across country and it did fine. But shortly after I got home, the battery gauge started zeroing out and my check gauges light came on. I had it checked, bought a new battery and had the alternator rebuilt. The guy said the brush was completely worn down.
That fixed the problem for about 3 weeks and today the battery zeroed out and stalled out in traffic. Has anyone had this happen? Any Ideas?
I am absolutely useless when it comes to checking electrical.

I drove this thing across country and it did fine. But shortly after I got home, the battery gauge started zeroing out and my check gauges light came on. I had it checked, bought a new battery and had the alternator rebuilt. The guy said the brush was completely worn down.
That fixed the problem for about 3 weeks and today the battery zeroed out and stalled out in traffic. Has anyone had this happen? Any Ideas?
I am absolutely useless when it comes to checking electrical.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 3
From: Knoxville, TN
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 inline 6 (o yea!)
Check the alternator again. I have had bad luck with rebuilt alternators. I now buy new ones with lifetime warranties. Some say they are expensive but when one fails you walk in hand it to them and they give you a new one no questions asked. I have been able to get two alternators with only ever buying one. (granted one failure was my fault because I drove through some crummy water)
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Greensboro, NC
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Cool, I'm going to pull it and take it in to get tested.
Kind of an oddball question, but has any one here had a short in the electrical of this proportion directly related to the stock radio?
Kind of an oddball question, but has any one here had a short in the electrical of this proportion directly related to the stock radio?
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 3
From: USA
Year: 1999
Engine: l6 4.0, K&N FIPK & 62mm bored TB
Just a suggestion if it's on the side of the road: if you happen to see a hummer or a Ford SUV approaching, pretend to be taking a whiz. Or something. Don't let them know the Jeep is dead. Bad for our rep!
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,168
Likes: 4
From: Williamsport, Pa
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Something like this could be just a loose connection, especially since it was just apart 3 weeks ago. I'd check for that before i'd pull the Alternator.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Greensboro, NC
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Haha, I got a ride home and drove my moms car out while I waited for the tow truck. Except I parked the car in front of the jeep hoping people would just think the car broke down.
Last edited by Tin_Man; Nov 19, 2010 at 04:56 PM.
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CF Veteran
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From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
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