pton

Bought my first Jeep and have run into a problem. It is a 98 Cherokee. It started with my check gauges light coming on and the battery meter registering nothing. So I took the alternator in to get checked and it was bad. Replaced the alternator and drove for about 15 minutes and then the check gauges light comes back on. The battery meter is once again registering nothing. So I pulled the battery out and it had a dead cell. So I swapped the battery out and ran good for about a half a day. Then the check gauges light comes back on and once again nothing registering on the battery meter on the dash. So I drove home immediately and brought the battery and alternator in to get tested. Figured maybe I got a bad replacement part possibly. The battery was completely drained and the alternator checks good. I got the battery recharged and can run it but for how long now. I tried disconnecting the battery while the vehicle is running and it dies. Can someone help me please? It's as if my alternator is doing nothing but hanging out and taking up space.

sportrider

check the wiring going to the alt, you may have a broken wire.

pton

checked them and continuity is all good

Sexton

im pretty new to jeeps too, going on two weeks with my first cherokee. but figured id give some advice as to my experience.


I had this same problem on my chevy, turned out that there was a wire grounding out and it was killing my battery.

the jeeps need the battery to stay running for the computer etc so unplugging the battery once it is running will only kill it.

Bustedback

Check the fuses under the hood. Never remove a battery post while the engine is running! That can cause a voltage spike and fry the ECM. The ECM also controls the voltage regulator besides the engine and emissions.

The91XJ

Yes just a future note, never disconnect the battery on a EFI vehicle while it is running.

1armyguy

Have you checked your battery cables?

offroadnut36

x2 Doing that can screw up a lot of stuff.

pton

does anyone know where the voltage regulator is in these vehicles? also replaced both battery cables.

XJmanXJ

make sure that you didn't get a bad alt it happens

pton

have already checked it, installed it, and brought it back for a recheck. still good.

pton

bump...can anyone offer any advice as to what to check or any tricks they may know?

spahr69

check your battery cables and your starter.

pton

would the starter really have an effect on the alternator not charging the battery? thought the the sarter only engaged during the start up process and then was basically out of the equation for drawing a power load.