So I was driving home from work recently and noticed that my headlights were very dim. Then my radio and heater turned off. My battery gauge was completely dead and luckily I made it home. But when I took it to get the battery checked, it was at full charge. I have noticed that the lights will be dim but then all of a sudden everything will kick back to life. Could it be a problem with the wiring? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated for this beginner! Btw I have a 1997 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4wd.

 

Yep. Start with cleaning your battery terminals. Corrosion happens very easily from off-gassing through normal operation. You want to scrub the posts and the inside of the clamps until they're shiny. If you don't have the OE moulded clamps, take the cables off and examine them too.

 

I would say the best place to start would be with your battery and if all is well there I would check your grounds loose ground connections can cause a lot of weird things to happen and Itwill send you chasing your tail for a long time just to find all it was was a loose or faulty ground

 

it is not your battery try the alternator if that is not putting out a charge then your lights Radio and other thing will stop working

 

If the alternator had problems the battery would be dead...

 

It actually turned out to be my alternator after all. I didn't understand that when they run a check at advance auto on the battery, it is simply checking to see if the battery will take a charge. Apparently the lady who ran the diagnostic didn't know either since she told me the alternator and battery were fine. It's up and running now with a rebuilt alternator!

 

its a hit and miss with good parts specialist. But yes, a bad Alt will make things go crazy. glad to hear you got the problem fixed and it wasnt something stupid that you had to chase...like with most Jeeps

 

Thanks for the help!