Hey guys!

Ive been reading through the forum for awhile but this is my first post. Im having some weird electrical issues in my 91 Jeep Cherokee Laredo.

it started off with what seemed like a malfunctioning Alternator, the usual dim headlights and not starting, so I replaced my alternator and my battery.

before this started I have had some weird problems with lights staying on that shoud god off, powering on the radio makes the headlights turn off sometimes and then sometimes it works fine.

well the battery meter on the dash is hovering right at 9 on the line of the red on the meter. should it be higher? where does the battery meter in the dash usually rest?

anyhow my question is, does anybody know what causes this problem?

weird lights and other electrical problems, new battery and new alternator and battery still not holding a good charge.

any comments welcome!

Thanks guys.

 

it sounds like you have a bad ground somewhere! but my voltage meter always reads past 15V

 

My old 98 did that and i replaced the alt and battery and it still did it so i replaced the alt. again and it cleared up without any problems. But if i had to point my finger at anything it would be a bad ground or short.

 

The gauge should read anywhere between 13-15 on average.

WHERE did you get the ALT?
New? Rebuilt? Reman? J/Y?


XJ's are NOTORIOUS for bad grounds. Check your ground straps and take special note to the NEG (-) battery cable. This often either becomes loose or gets corroded or even, in cases where a valve cover gasket change has been long overlooked, gunked up

Battery cables are also a known weak point in the XJ electrical system.
IF you have a few spare bucks swap them out for some heftier cables WITH decent battery terminals.

 

check your battery cables. mine did same. took wire brush to those slimy buggers

 

the problem ended up being a big fuse in the fuse box under the hood. stupid obvious thing.