Alternator replacement on a 1998 XJ. (1998 only)
05-19-2019, 06:10 PM
#32
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Year: 96
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Yet again, the XJ is complete nightmare to do even the most basic repair on.
Most idiotic location for an alternator I have ever seen on any car in my lifetime.
Even the serp belt path is a disaster where you can't even see some of the pulleys to route around.
I'll stick to working on my Bimmers. Jeeper will need a professional mechanic.
belt diagram is on the sticker mate
7 series BMW with V12, same era as XJ, not very easy to work on !
You sound like a pretty clever guy...how do u get the car to the mechanic with no Alt or serpentine belt?
on a flatbed?...that must be disappointing when ur so close to getting the job done
05-19-2019, 06:21 PM
#33
::CF Administrator::
05-20-2019, 12:33 AM
#34
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Year: 96
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I do agree that a BMW has certain superior features in the engineering to Jeeps, including for example fastener quality and corrosion protection, amongst others
That is reflected in the purchase price
therefore, appropriate maintenance in a rust prone area includes pentrating and preserving oil on exposed fasteners, anti-sieze, various underbody protectants,
and all internal cavities to be sprayed at pressure with nice smelling waxoil or similar.
I am familiar with working on vehicles up to 75yrs old, spent a lot of time getting old fasteners apart
pro mechanic mate of mine, who specialises in Vinatge vehicles, charges out many hours at $150p/hr doing the same
That is reflected in the purchase price
therefore, appropriate maintenance in a rust prone area includes pentrating and preserving oil on exposed fasteners, anti-sieze, various underbody protectants,
and all internal cavities to be sprayed at pressure with nice smelling waxoil or similar.
I am familiar with working on vehicles up to 75yrs old, spent a lot of time getting old fasteners apart
pro mechanic mate of mine, who specialises in Vinatge vehicles, charges out many hours at $150p/hr doing the same
05-20-2019, 08:01 AM
#35
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L i6
Spent 6 hours but was not able to crack the secret code of XJ alternator removal.
All I did was remove the battery tray (nightmare) and loosen the serp belt (had to go under the car to reach the idler pulley)
Many videos and threads say remove from the top.
Not one of them mentions A/C lines.
So, that was a dead end, and I wasted all that time breaking battery tray bolts off.
It's so hilarious, you can't even make this up.
Worst online information of any car ever.
At about 5 hours into the project, I figured I would try to remove from the bottom.
Still was not clear how it would come out, and that weird bracket that I've never seen on any other alternator ever.
The alternator is right above the frame rail !! LOL.
It's so low that I was not able to break the alternator bolts free.
No way to get leverage without a professional lift.
Never heard of a car that removes alternator from the bottom.
By then, I remembered why working on the XJ offers zero joy, unlike my European cars.
Decided to screw this, and tightened up the belt and re-installed the battery.
I did clean some grounds while I was down there.
The most basic repairs requires a decades of experience.
Most bizarre and complex car I've ever worked on, period.
As usual, proof the XJ is not for casual weekend mechanics, only professionals.
I will drive it to the shop today. and gladly hand over $500 to work on this monstrosity of engineering !
Last edited by BimmerJeeper; 05-20-2019 at 08:13 AM.
05-20-2019, 09:53 AM
#36
CF Veteran
I've watched this thread from the get go.
Told myself "Don't get involved, let it run it's course"...decided to do an experiment.
The scientific process consists of making an observation, asking a question, form a hypothesis, make a prediction, test that prediction, and use results to either answer the question or repeat the process to get answers.
Observation: Bimmer makes a post
Question: Will this be like every other Bimmer post?
Hypothesis: I believe it will be
Prediction:: It will end like every other Bimmer post, with him admitting defeat, declaring all jeeps are impossible to work on, and should be left to professional mechanics
Test: let Bimmer continue and await expected results
Result: Bimmer admits defeat without ever really trying ot listening to advice given, then rants about how jeeps are impossible to work on and only mechanics can do it, while making more money than doctors and lawyers combined.
No need for further testing, as this same series of experiments has been happening for years here, even after multiple bans and many, MANY TOTY awards
Told myself "Don't get involved, let it run it's course"...decided to do an experiment.
The scientific process consists of making an observation, asking a question, form a hypothesis, make a prediction, test that prediction, and use results to either answer the question or repeat the process to get answers.
Observation: Bimmer makes a post
Question: Will this be like every other Bimmer post?
Hypothesis: I believe it will be
Prediction:: It will end like every other Bimmer post, with him admitting defeat, declaring all jeeps are impossible to work on, and should be left to professional mechanics
Test: let Bimmer continue and await expected results
Result: Bimmer admits defeat without ever really trying ot listening to advice given, then rants about how jeeps are impossible to work on and only mechanics can do it, while making more money than doctors and lawyers combined.
No need for further testing, as this same series of experiments has been happening for years here, even after multiple bans and many, MANY TOTY awards
Millions of jeeps on the road, and people change the alternators all the time. I have decided that you are...special. Your jeep is special too. I think that's what you want to hear.
05-20-2019, 09:57 AM
#37
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L i6
Thanks for the heads up. Bimmer, that pm you sent me...here is the response in public that you asked for.
Millions of jeeps on the road, and people change the alternators all the time. I have decided that you are...special. Your jeep is special too. I think that's what you want to hear.
Millions of jeeps on the road, and people change the alternators all the time. I have decided that you are...special. Your jeep is special too. I think that's what you want to hear.
How did you remove the alternator with the A/C lines in the way ?
At least one other poster has called BS on your method.
You can go ahead and insult me like a emotionally stunted school bully.
Pretty standard fare for this forum.
Last edited by BimmerJeeper; 05-20-2019 at 10:01 AM.
05-20-2019, 10:05 AM
#38
CF Veteran
Why is this even a conversation? Even if it doesn't come out (easily) from the top, at that point just let it go!! It's going to drop on the MF ground!!!!!!
05-20-2019, 10:13 AM
#39
CF Veteran
Can't back up your posts when called out on it ?
How did you remove the alternator with the A/C lines in the way ?
At least one other poster has called BS on your method.
You can go ahead and insult me like a emotionally stunted school bully.
Pretty standard fare for this forum.
How did you remove the alternator with the A/C lines in the way ?
At least one other poster has called BS on your method.
You can go ahead and insult me like a emotionally stunted school bully.
Pretty standard fare for this forum.
05-20-2019, 10:22 AM
#41
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L i6
since the frame rail blocks the removal
Almost everyone advised removal from the top,
but, in he real world, the A/C lines totally block removal.
It's a dead end both ways.
So, no, the alternator does not just fall out.
More erroneous information everywhere.
Another reason I bailed out of this nightmare project was that I was not even able to SEE the back of the alternator.
I have never owned a car where you can't see the back of the alternator.
I was very concerned that I would have no idea how to reconnect the alternator.
Even if I could loosen the stuck bolts somehow,
and even if I knew it could come out the bottom (I don't b/c everyone's got a different story)
how would you loosen the rear connections ?
If anyone here has actually removed an XJ alternator,
how did you manage to undo the wiring without even seeing the bolts in the rear?
Is it easier to see back there when the XJ is on a lift ?
Last edited by BimmerJeeper; 05-20-2019 at 10:33 AM.
05-20-2019, 10:57 AM
#43
CF Veteran
It is a known fact that it's a total nightmare to attempt removal from the bottom
since the frame rail blocks the removal
Almost everyone advised removal from the top,
but, in he real world, the A/C lines totally block removal.
It's a dead end both ways.
So, no, the alternator does not just fall out.
More erroneous information everywhere.
since the frame rail blocks the removal
Almost everyone advised removal from the top,
but, in he real world, the A/C lines totally block removal.
It's a dead end both ways.
So, no, the alternator does not just fall out.
More erroneous information everywhere.
Here's how we're going to settle this. We'll both send $1000 to Ralph via PayPal. The bet is $500 if I can drop it out of the bottom, and $500 if I can pull it out of the top. So it's a wash if I can't do one. I'll post videos of the actual removal (not the belt, battery etc.) or if you want I'll go over to Ralph's house and show him (he lives pretty close by).
Deal?
05-20-2019, 11:00 AM
#44
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L i6
Yes, you are posting utter nonsense.
at that point just let it go!!
It's going to drop on the MF ground!!!!!!
Really? Seriously?
Based on dozens of threads and videos, it does not just fall out.
You still want to bet $500 that if you "just let it go!! It's going to drop on the MF ground!!!!!!"
There is something called a frame rail, so stop lying and trying to make this sound easy.
Why do you think people without A/C remove it from the top?
at that point just let it go!!
It's going to drop on the MF ground!!!!!!
Really? Seriously?
Based on dozens of threads and videos, it does not just fall out.
You still want to bet $500 that if you "just let it go!! It's going to drop on the MF ground!!!!!!"
There is something called a frame rail, so stop lying and trying to make this sound easy.
Why do you think people without A/C remove it from the top?
Last edited by BimmerJeeper; 05-20-2019 at 11:05 AM.