Gauge says battery voltage low
#1
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 I6
Gauge says battery voltage low
I have a 1996 Jeep Cherokee SE, power locks and power windows with the gauge cluster that includes the tachometer. When I bought the cherokee the battery voltage gauge was reading about 14 Volts or right around there, shortly after I noticed the gauge was reading at 9 volts, in the red. Even after driving the vehicle and having the charger hooked up for days. I checked the voltage at the battery with a multimeter and it said about 14.3 volts. The battery that is in the car is about 5 years old when it’s only a 4 year battery. Could a bad battery cause this issue? Or maybe a bad ground or something, it is also confirmed that the gauge does work, just never goes up to 14 Volts anymore. ANY Information would help. Thanks so much!!
#2
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Year: 96
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
If you have 14V at the terminal with engine, sounds like alternator is ok
Your battery should hold a charge over 12.5V for at least 24hrs
many earths are located on RH engine block, 2 studs, always worth cleaning well
I believe their is an Earth for the instrument panel inside too
Could be a faulty guage
The '95 FSM applies to the relevant electrics, you should download it and peruse chapter 8, including "Instruments" and "earth locations"
Your battery should hold a charge over 12.5V for at least 24hrs
many earths are located on RH engine block, 2 studs, always worth cleaning well
I believe their is an Earth for the instrument panel inside too
Could be a faulty guage
The '95 FSM applies to the relevant electrics, you should download it and peruse chapter 8, including "Instruments" and "earth locations"
#3
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
Just to be clear, what does the gage show while driving? I know you said 9v but want to be sure of voltage while driving and voltage say next day sitting over night.
Also been my experience that batteries these days don't last to much over their warranty...say 5 year battery I usually get 5 years and maybe 3 months more out of it I would get battery tested.
Also been my experience that batteries these days don't last to much over their warranty...say 5 year battery I usually get 5 years and maybe 3 months more out of it I would get battery tested.
Last edited by country2; 01-02-2020 at 04:19 AM.
#4
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Year: 96
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Just to be clear, what does the gage show while driving? I know you said 9v but want to be sure of voltage while driving and voltage say next day sitting over night.
Also been my experience that batteries these days don't last to much over their warranty...say 5 year battery I usually get 5 years and maybe 3 months more out of it I would get battery tested.
Also been my experience that batteries these days don't last to much over their warranty...say 5 year battery I usually get 5 years and maybe 3 months more out of it I would get battery tested.
#5
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As AWG implied, to check battery condition you want to measure the no load voltage (ignition off) after setting at least 12 hours after being fully charged.The voltage at the battery should be around 12.7 for a new battery that is 100% charged. An 80% charged battery would be around 12.5 volts. Voltage will differ slightly with battery technology As the battery ages and degrades the voltage will fall. Checking grounds as recommended by others is good advice.
#7
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Year: 96
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
agree on replacement, but he probably wants to do a quick parasitic current draw test first, to see if something is draining the battery, and that something could point to any other faults
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