Good Morning!

I was on here as 94Crawler, but I guess that one got deleted, so here I am.

I had the gauge cluster go crazy on me, then noticed the 1994 XJ wasn't getting enough power. It got me a block away from my house, then died.

The Optima Red Top battery needed to be charged, and the alternator tested good.

I checked for a paracidic draw,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF1gijj03_0

and the voltage was the same on the broken xj and my test vehicle, a 2009 Patriot.



Everything looked good. I got in it to drive again 24 hours after the test came back ok, and the voltage was WAY back down. Any thoughts?

 

Do a test on battery? ALL battery cable connections clean and tight?

 

Maybe the alternator tested good at a parts store, but it still could be a problem. (?) ( been there)
With the battery charged, and engine running, a voltmeter on the battery should tell if the alternator is keeping up, like about 14 volts...
Check battery cable ground on the engine block, and the positive cable terminal on the starter solenoid also...

 

Solved!

You are right STEELYBILL!!!!!

I did a test of the ODB error, and I came back with code 41 and 47, so yep, it's a bad Alternator. I am doing a bench test for exercise, but I will have this up and running. I will add a video so people who are having similar issues can get a faster resolution.

Thank you!

 

Here is a video of the symptoms




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I_OfUZOPuw&feature=youtu.be