Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

88 XJ loses B+ power

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-23-2009, 12:03 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
DarkCloud's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6 4.0
Exclamation 88 XJ loses B+ power

driving down the road, the voltage guage starts to drop
battery is fairly new.
not sure of alternator
100k miles
is there some sort of fuse that could have popped?
before i go ahead and start removing the alternator?

Last edited by DarkCloud; 10-23-2009 at 12:09 PM.
Old 10-23-2009, 12:39 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
GreenXJ95's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Olean NY where salt eats jeeps
Posts: 886
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

When my volt meter dropped like that it was due to a bad alternator
Old 10-25-2009, 01:13 PM
  #3  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
DarkCloud's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6 4.0
Default

so theres def no fuse that coulda popped?
Old 10-25-2009, 03:09 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
fallenknight308's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: The Dirty 530
Posts: 800
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 1 Post
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Renix I6
Default

Take a Voltmeter and with engine running, touch pos+ voltmeter test lead to pos+ on battery,
and neg- to a good ground source (A/C pump bracket, firewall ground harness ect..)
If you read 14V your alt is fine. Below 14V means its going out, and anything below 13V means its gone!
Old 10-25-2009, 04:19 PM
  #5  
CF Veteran
 
5-90's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 3,018
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes on 13 Posts
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: AMC242
Default

There is a fusible link wire in the end of the alternator output lead - right at the starter motor relay screwpost. However, having that blow out on you is fairly rare - and it can be confirmed with a simple visual inspection (fusible link wire uses Hypalon insulation, which will bubble and swell when the wire inside melts. Looks like the wire got third-degree burns.)
Old 10-25-2009, 09:33 PM
  #6  
CF Veteran
 
krkx93's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: louisiana
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.5L
Default

try your ground connection on the negative battery teminal that grounds inside the fender right next to the battery. mine did the same thing and that was the problem
Old 10-25-2009, 11:11 PM
  #7  
CF Veteran
 
5-90's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 3,018
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes on 13 Posts
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: AMC242
Default

Originally Posted by krkx93
try your ground connection on the negative battery teminal that grounds inside the fender right next to the battery. mine did the same thing and that was the problem
He doesn't have that connexion - RENIX didn't. It wasn't done OEM until the 1991 model year.

However, adding it is something that usually doesn't go amiss - which is why it's an option on my RENIX kits.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
cpnwrench
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
13
02-15-2024 08:09 AM
extrashaky
Other Vehicles. Other Jeep models & cars and trucks of other makes
17
06-17-2023 03:57 PM
riparianbarbarian
Introductions
3
10-23-2015 03:57 PM
Karmageddon
Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here!
5
10-05-2015 08:29 PM
BluJay
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
4
09-26-2015 10:38 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


Quick Reply: 88 XJ loses B+ power



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:37 PM.