Today my battery gauge shot up to 19 and I had the charge system tested. The battery showed bad and so I replaced it and then we tested the alternator. Everthing tested fine execpt the alternator showed a low output. What does this mean? Is the alternator bad or would it show low while idle. I do not seem to have any signs of a bad alt. but I hate to have to come up with $400 to replace this thing so close to Christmas. Any experts on this subject?

 

Try disconnecting the + side of battery while its running and if it stalls then the Alt is bad...Tj

 

Did you bring it somewhere and have it tested?

 

autozone tested it and the reading came back as low output.

 

$400? No. Get a Grand Cherokee alt replacement for about $100, its a higher output and bolts up, not sure on what years but here is one.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/de...e&apwidGB1A5my

 

I do most of my own work and I did replace my belt myself almost 6 months ago. How hard is it to replace the alternator on these. It looks like I have to work around the AC compressor.

 

Its pretty easy to replace. 2 bolts plus some nuts that hold on the wires.

 

Loosen Belt, remove belt, remove battery -, take wires off of alt(field, power, etc), release alt from brackets(unbolt), drop it, install new one reversed. Tighten bolts to 30lbs, put wires back on

 

Thats the basics, but its alittle trick to get it out cause i couldnt get it to drop out the bottom. i had to take it out the top which meant remove the battery and some round thing out of the way.

 

Thats what I was going to ask? Can I take it from the bottom or am I going to have to remove or move the AC compressor. Or do I take out the battery and battery box and remove if from the side? It appears to be a little more than just loosen a couple of bolts and pull. If all this other stuff wasnt in the way it might be easy as 123.

 

you take it out from the side kinda. I think i removed the battery box, dont remember, and just unbolted the cylinder thing right there and moved it out the way, I think its a voltage regulator but idk.

 

most of what I am reading you have to remove the battery and battery box and it should come from the side. Others are saying take it from the bottom. I can not find a definitive answer on the best way to remove this thing. One place said remove the ac compressor and I do not want to have to do that.

 

I replaced mine a few months ago, I know I didn't remove the A/C Compressor. I did take the battery and battery box out.

 

alright, thanks everyone, I will attempt this task tomorrow. I appreciate all you help. If anyone has any other helpful hints or tricks I would appreciate it very much.

 

I had always heard that the bracket need to be grinded down to fit a Grand Cherokee alternator onto an XJ?