Sorry if this is in the wrong section, but I went mudding tonight and the jeep won't seem to hold a charge and I messed around with the terminals and everything and it still won't. When I give it a jump and leave the cables on the battery everything fine but when I take them off it dies. I had the same issue 2-3 months ago and got the alternator replaced. Is there anything I can do or do I have to replace the alternator yet again? Thanks

 

Sounds like you soaked it. Electrical parts don't like water. Take it in and have it tested. Sounds like you will probably need to replace it.

 

Rinse the alternator out thoroughly to dislodge and liquify any mud. Flood it with a garden hose with no nozzle. Do it while it's off and while it's running (watch for moving parts!) Then drive the hell out of it and see what happens.

 

rinse it with clear water, turning it over by hand. Re-install it, if it doesn't work you're probably replacing.

 

The same thing happened to me. It was under warranty still though.

 

I just went through this exact problem. Mine had the original 216k alt on it..... it started working again for a week or so but then started doing funny voltage jumps again... I replaced it this past Friday.
I ran through about 18inches of water at about 20mph..... won't be doing that again.

 

As suggested rinse if off good before pulling it out. I've gone through a lot of alternators from water and mud... Sometimes I got lucky with rinsing them off good and spraying them with crc electric cleaner.

If that doesn't work get one with a lifetime warranty.

Just be warned after your 5th replacement in a year napa will no longer honor the warranty on alternators. Ask me how I know.

 

Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm gonna try to get it to a hose and rinse it off.

 

If you can't get it to a hose you can use a pump up garden sprayer with clean water. Make sure it is clean.

 

I got to a car wash place and washed it but so far no luck with jt