Hey guys, sorry to have to post another thread on this subject. I did a lot of searching around this forum and a few others, but can't find anything definitive.

Background info: 2000 Cherokee Sport 4.0 - 126k miles

A few nights ago I noticed my headlights pulsing at night intermittently. The following day I was driving without issue when the "check gauges" dummy light came on and I noticed my voltage pegged at 19. The voltage then dropped back down to 14 and stayed there. Jeep continued to run normally during and after the spike. I was turning in to my destination anyhow so I kept it running for about another minute. Turned it off, came back out about 20 minutes later, it fired up and has run fine since.

My in dash volt meter has been staying steady at 14, with fluctuation that I couldn't even equate to 0.25 volts. I've not seen it drop below 14 once. I've not noticed the headlights pulsing any more since the mentioned night and I've not had any issues with losing power, low idle or starting problems.

Today I cleaned the battery cables/terminals and added an additional ground to the negative terminal. I bought a new alternator two nights ago, but am second guessing installation of it since I could return it and get $130 back in my pocket which is very needed right now.

I do not have a volt meter at this time, but I can have access to one tomorrow.

Does anyone have any suggestions or have similar issues?

Thanks in advance to anyone who is able to help!

 

You can pull the old alternator out and have the shop bench test it.

Spec for the 2000 XJ...



They do not last forever, though...

 

jamurrin - Thank you for the post. I cannot see the image you posted though. It gives me a 414 error when trying to open it.

 

I think most car parts shops would have this spec. Hope the attachement works...

 

It did work that time. Thank you.

I will get the battery and the alt checked out and see where I stand.

 

Don't bother - those parts house benches are pointless (I used to service them.)

Find my writeup on testing primary electrical (should be in this section,) get your paws on a DMM, and follow it. While it's not a quantitative test, it's a good qualitative test, and will still let you find out what you need to know.

 

Found it - Thank you for the great write-up. I will be replacing my track bar this weekend and I think that will make for a good opportunity to run through your diagnostic plan.

 

Sorry - but two out of three times, I get asked "Do you have a link?" I do not - else I'd have posted it. But, I know it's easy enough to find, so it shouldn't be a problem (obviously wasn't for you, yes? )