I have a 2001 Cherokee and today after running about 5 to 6 minute the electrical gage dropped down to 0. Now everything still worked radio windows etc. and it even started no problem after siting for a while. But then again after 5 or 6 minutes the gage drops down to 0. Any thoughts on what could be causing this. I think but not sure that the belt may be getting slack in it as it warms up and not turning the generator for some reason and may need a new belt????

 

Normally, if the belt was slipping because of slack it would make chirping or screeching noises. Also loose belts tend to be at their most slippery and noisiest when they are cold, then get a bit better as they warm up because the belt rubber gets warm, softer, and has more grip.

What you really need to do is use a multimeter at the battery terminals to see what the system voltage is with the vehicle off, and also when it is running. If you can take a measurement when the gauge drops down to 0, that is even better. Because then you'll be able to confirm if it is really the system that is dropping in voltage, or if it is just something going on in the dashboard cluster.

Voltage at the battery posts should be a little over 12.5 volts with the vehicle OFF, and somewhere around 14.5 volts when the vehicle is running.

 

Mine does this my gauges drop "dead" come to find out it's the fuse socket is bad so my fuse wiggled around. So I wedged a twig in there. Just throwing that out there not sure if any help but just one simple thing like that could be a hella migraine lol

 

Thinks Ill try the volt meter and see what it does. But can it be possible that the generator is freezing up and not turning to spite the belt and not make any noise? I marked the pulley to the generator and it seemed to move just enough to move the mark to a spot where I could not see it any more. I'm going to remark it with a white marker and see if that does any better then the black I used before

 

I went out and put a multimeter on the battery and it read 9 volts. I started the engine and it still read 9 volts. As it ran the voltage slowly dropped down to 7 volts and after about 5 or 6 minutes of it running the engine all of a sudden died as I assume the voltage dropped even further as I was walking back around to check the gages and did not see. I have the battery hooked up to a battery charger now to get it back up. So is this problem the generator?


Oh and just an FYI no I am not a mechanic as I'm more then sure you can tell by my post. But I can fix things if given reasonable instruction which is why I ask so many questions. So please bare with me. And I do appreciate all your help thank you.

 

Yes that's bad. Have the alternator and battery tested

 

No. It will scream like a banshee if the alternator freezes. Sounds like you just have an alternator that died. Get the thing checked before you go chasing belt issues.


By the way, you have an alternator, not a generator.

 

Thank you, you all have confirmed what I suspected, but to be sure I'll take it to the local parts store and have it checked on their machine. And Like I said I'm no mechanic per say and may not know the correct name but do know what it does. It may take me three times longer then most but I'll get her done as being a poor man economics require me to do my own work. Thanks again, you all have been a big help.

 

Dont forget to post an update after you solve the problem, so that others may benefit

 

agreed.

 

Now you do.

 

I will be more then glad to post how things come out but it maybe some time before I do. I'm trying to raise the money by selling a few things so may take a while.

 

OK folks like I promised I'm letting you know the out come of my little problem. (The story is a bit long but hang on.)
Will this morning I had to go to my wife's work to get her car to do some running around. The volt meter in the Jeep went from 12 volts to 0 in about 3 minutes. When I went to trade back to go home in my Jeep it dropped in less then a minute. Now all was running well no problem there but this afternoon to go get the alternator/generator checked everything went back to normal. The volt meter read 14 volts while running never dropped the whole trip and when the parts guy checked everything out all was right with the world. When I got home I put my Simpson volt meter on it and the battery read just a little over 14 volts and when the engine was off just a little over 13. So tell me what the heck happened between this morning and the last 3 or 4 days to everything being OK now????? But!!!! I'm not complaining just hope with hunting season around the corner it don't start acting up and leave me stranded out in the woods somewhere.
But I guess a woman as old as her has got to have some quarks.
Any thoughts or comments

 

Check all your connections. Take them apart. Clean them.

 

Chrysler (Jeep) calls it a Generator in the FSM's.


Just say'n.