I have a 1987 Jeep Wagoneer that I bought a few months ago. My dome-light was left on for the night two nights ago, and my battery was dead the next morning. I jumped it, it drove a little, and then died. I took it to the place where I bought my Optima battery and they said it was the alternator after getting about 11 amps and draining.

So I got an alternator from a pick-apart, put it in after a couple hours of struggling, and it fired up. The amp-meter would go up with the throttle, and all seemed well. I drove it halfway to the beach, and it started to die.

Same problem, battery would hold a charge when jumped but would soon die because the alternator gives it no power.

I've heard about the Voltage Regulator, I'm not sure if it's in the alternator or not.

Please help! I need this vehicle for work everyday!!!

Thank you.

 

I've gotten nowhere with this... hopefully I can do it somehow today. Anyone know about the voltage regulator? Something keeps screwing with me.

 

I think you picked up another bad alternator. Also, check all your connections

 

Agreed..

The voltage regulator is built within the alternator iirc.

Another possibility is the Optima itself. I'v read they need a specific charging procedure if drawn down low.

Take a look here..

http://www.batteriesareus.com/index....page=page&id=2

 

Interesting... well I called The Battery Exchange, and the guy said it's possible that the low battery (any battery he said) could be responsible for the alternator failing a second time...


For now I am thinking if I fully charge my battery, and then put ANOTHER alternator in it... it could work.

But I'd really like to hear anything anyone else can suggest, I don't really want to put another in, though I will. If it kills the next one too though, it will suck. I can't afford one now as it is. Please offer any other suggestions my friends!

 

did you ever figure this out? mine is doing the exact same thing.

 

third on that id like to know wtf it is