Low voltage new alt good battery.
08-07-2014, 08:13 PM
#1
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Year: 98
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Low voltage new alt good battery.
So I just replaced my alternator w/ the 90amp alternator from advance auto parts because I was in a pinch since my jeep is my DD.
I had the battery/starter/alt tested at advance auto and it said my alternator was bad, which is why I bought a new one. It was installed end last week...
Fast forward to yesterday and today and my volt meter dropped to 9 after driving for a few mins and the check gauge light came on...so tonight I get a chance to go back to advance and have them run the test and the test showed my "battery getting drained because the alternator is getting no volts" per the guy there who was more interested in talking to his buddies. He said to check the cables going to the alternator and if it's still doing it after making the sure the cables are good, the new alternator is bad. I suck at anything electrical so any and all help would be awesome..
It's a 98 XJ 4.0 aw4
Attached is a picture of the test reading.
I had the battery/starter/alt tested at advance auto and it said my alternator was bad, which is why I bought a new one. It was installed end last week...
Fast forward to yesterday and today and my volt meter dropped to 9 after driving for a few mins and the check gauge light came on...so tonight I get a chance to go back to advance and have them run the test and the test showed my "battery getting drained because the alternator is getting no volts" per the guy there who was more interested in talking to his buddies. He said to check the cables going to the alternator and if it's still doing it after making the sure the cables are good, the new alternator is bad. I suck at anything electrical so any and all help would be awesome..
It's a 98 XJ 4.0 aw4
Attached is a picture of the test reading.
08-07-2014, 08:27 PM
#2
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Year: 1994
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Engine: 4.0 HO I-6
Well at the very least there is obviously no voltage to the alternator considering there was no ripple on the test.
To my understanding, the ripple should be consistent through the test. Check for loose connections at the alternator cause its getting no reading from the test...
To my understanding, the ripple should be consistent through the test. Check for loose connections at the alternator cause its getting no reading from the test...
08-07-2014, 08:28 PM
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Well at the very least there is obviously no voltage to the alternator considering there was no ripple on the test. To my understanding, the ripple should be consistent through the test. Check for loose connections at the alternator cause its getting no reading from the test...
08-07-2014, 08:45 PM
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As everyone stated check the cables first.
Was it a "new" alternator or a "remanufactured" one?
If it was remanufactured there is a pretty good chance that it is bad. Most of the "Chain-Store" (Advance, Autozone, Pep-Boys, O'Rileys, etc.) are a real crap-shoot, most are remanufactured in China and quality is shoddy at best. Even a "new" off-brand alternator can be hit and miss but they are generally better than off-brand remans.
A new alternator, preferable from a major brand (Denso, Bosch, Delco/Remy, etc.) is recommended. Once actually remanufactured by Denso should be good too, but generally an OE reman'ed unit costs nearly as much as a new one.
I'd probably look for a 117A alternator too (they may have to look it up for a 99), it shouldn't cost much more and give you plenty of overhead on an XJ as long as you don't have a ton of electrical accessories, the 90A was just barely adequate for a stock XJ.
Was it a "new" alternator or a "remanufactured" one?
If it was remanufactured there is a pretty good chance that it is bad. Most of the "Chain-Store" (Advance, Autozone, Pep-Boys, O'Rileys, etc.) are a real crap-shoot, most are remanufactured in China and quality is shoddy at best. Even a "new" off-brand alternator can be hit and miss but they are generally better than off-brand remans.
A new alternator, preferable from a major brand (Denso, Bosch, Delco/Remy, etc.) is recommended. Once actually remanufactured by Denso should be good too, but generally an OE reman'ed unit costs nearly as much as a new one.
I'd probably look for a 117A alternator too (they may have to look it up for a 99), it shouldn't cost much more and give you plenty of overhead on an XJ as long as you don't have a ton of electrical accessories, the 90A was just barely adequate for a stock XJ.
Last edited by dmill89; 08-07-2014 at 08:50 PM.
08-07-2014, 09:16 PM
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Year: 98
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As everyone stated check the cables first.
Was it a "new" alternator or a "remanufactured" one?
If it was remanufactured there is a pretty good chance that it is bad. Most of the "Chain-Store" (Advance, Autozone, Pep-Boys, O'Rileys, etc.) are a real crap-shoot, most are remanufactured in China and quality is shoddy at best. Even a "new" off-brand alternator can be hit and miss but they are generally better than off-brand remans.
A new alternator, preferable from a major brand (Denso, Bosch, Delco/Remy, etc.) is recommended. Once actually remanufactured by Denso should be good too, but generally an OE reman'ed unit costs nearly as much as a new one.
I'd probably look for a 117A alternator too (they may have to look it up for a 99), it shouldn't cost much more and give you plenty of overhead on an XJ as long as you don't have a ton of electrical accessories, the 90A was just barely adequate for a stock XJ.
Was it a "new" alternator or a "remanufactured" one?
If it was remanufactured there is a pretty good chance that it is bad. Most of the "Chain-Store" (Advance, Autozone, Pep-Boys, O'Rileys, etc.) are a real crap-shoot, most are remanufactured in China and quality is shoddy at best. Even a "new" off-brand alternator can be hit and miss but they are generally better than off-brand remans.
A new alternator, preferable from a major brand (Denso, Bosch, Delco/Remy, etc.) is recommended. Once actually remanufactured by Denso should be good too, but generally an OE reman'ed unit costs nearly as much as a new one.
I'd probably look for a 117A alternator too (they may have to look it up for a 99), it shouldn't cost much more and give you plenty of overhead on an XJ as long as you don't have a ton of electrical accessories, the 90A was just barely adequate for a stock XJ.
08-09-2014, 12:40 PM
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Update:
Went and got it replaced with a different alternator and all is well....so far...knock on wood. They were out of the driveworks which I was fine with and changed it to the ToughOne with the lifetime warranty. So hopefully this solves my problem and its not a wiring issue.
Went and got it replaced with a different alternator and all is well....so far...knock on wood. They were out of the driveworks which I was fine with and changed it to the ToughOne with the lifetime warranty. So hopefully this solves my problem and its not a wiring issue.
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08-18-2014, 10:25 AM
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