Tshay

Ok so when I started up my 98 cherokee it ran fine as I was driving the check gauge light went on and the battery power needle went all the way down. It ran fine I even stopped and started it mutiple times without an issue. While driving tonight my lights started to get dim and my radio flickered on and off. So i parked and turned it off at a friends. Came back out later and tried to start it. it gave a weak crank like it wanted to turn on and than a series of clicks. My buddy gave it a jump and it started right up. drove back to my house and the gauge light still popped up. i turned the car off and than turned it back on. it started but when it did it seemed like it was low on power and struggled to turn on and all the lights including my lights were dim. I am so lost as to what it could be.

xjsweeney

you need a altinator

Desert Rat

You need to test your alternator it sounds like it's not charging. Most auto stores will test them for free.

builtnotbought89'

Yep test ur alternator at auto zoo or checkers, & if its fine u will need a new batt. Odds are u need a new alternator!

huntingman2706217

its the alt... batteries fine... batts are used to start a vehicle only... after that its all on the alt... you need a alt like the first guy posted... dont even worry about getting it up there to test... its bad...

Tshay

wouldnt it die while I was driving though?

huntingman2706217

depends on the vehicle... i think maybe OBD2 they would cut off... i dunno why its vehicle specific but anyways... it may not always cut off... youll loose lights and radio and everything else thats run by the power... also if you snapped a belt this will happen... the Alt belt... check that first... since it takes power to fire the ignition i would think eventually when theres absolutely nothing left in the battery it would cut off... also dont keep driving it like this... itll kill your battery till the point it wont come back... you wont be able to recharge it...

builtnotbought89'

LOL nice just throw parts at it that does the trick. except that it could be some thing as simple as a bad ground. start by checking the terminals on ur batt. & all ur connectors on the alt. if every thing looks good!?!? TAKE THE ALTERNATOR IN TO GET TESTED!!!!

Carl48

x2...troubleshoot, don't guess.

Tshay

problem solved. It was the alternator. I have to say that was one of the worst alternators I have ever had to change