I have a 1997 Jeep Cherokee (not 4WD) with 121k miles. It has had a lot of work done to it over the years, most parts have been replaced, it's been maintained, etc. Of the things that have not been replaced are the alternator and the battery is prob a few years old.

I was driving home from work in a snowstorm last night and the temperature light dinged and came on, so I immediately pulled over. While I was sitting there trying to decide what to do, the battery started draining quickly, so I had the car towed to my house. There was not any antifreeze underneath the car, but I cannot get the hood open (it's currently 1 degree outside in Spokane). While I am waiting for it to warm up, does anyone have any ideas what might've happened? It was running with absolutely no problems prior to this. It was extremely sudden. I am not exactly the most mechanically inclined person, so any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Gonna take a guess, mines an 87 so yours could be different. Broken belt that ran the water pump and alternator??? Not sure if your year has one belt like mine or two.

Thats my guess.

 

I'd also agree on a bad belt since that runs both the water pump/fan and the alternator for charging the battery

 

it was just the battery. still baffled as to why the temperature light came on. :/

 

X3 Did it suddenly become difficult to steer?