Super013

so hears the story, i have a 93 Cherokee with a lot of accessories, (sound system, high wattage lighting, etc....) so one day i noticed i was starting to put out less volts than i normally do, (its not a faulty gauge either, i have 3 in the jeep, monitoring different things. so my first thought was i finally killed my alternator, i knew it was going to happen one day. so i ordered a high out put alternator (165 amps), when it arrived i put it in first thing, went to test it and it does not seem to be doing any better than the stock 90 amp, im kinda thinking it could be the voltage regulater, thats because if im idling and than load it down to battery voltage 12.6, than i stop loading it, it wont come back up to 14 volts unless i rev the engine, so i went to the auto parts store and requested a voltage regulator, come to find out there is no seperate voltage regulator, im not sure but i think its integrated into the ecu (am i right, cuz im not sure?), if it is, i just happen to have another ecu lying around i could put in. but other than that i am lost any suggestions?

JeepingDan

I don't think it's your ecu. Your Alternator has a internal regulator. sounds like there maybe a short somewhere check your battery. make sure your accessories aren't the problem. I would disconnect each one at a time to see whats doing it. if that's not the problem reply to me

Super013

i sure its is not any of my accessories that is causing the problem, really besides the voltage regulator, the only other suggestion i have is that i have 3 car batteries, and im not going to sugar coat it, but they are getting a bit on in years, but i dont think that would be enough to kill my voltage like that would it?

JeepingDan

Wait! you have 3 car batterys?

sideshow_joe

this may sound stupid but did you clean all the contact points on your alternator to your battery. i had the same sort of thing happen on another car of mine replaced the alternator did the same replaced the battery same then i found the wires were a little dirty on the connectors cleaned it up with some sandpaper and used dielectric grease worked perfect. but i had the same symptoms

Super013

however their combined voltage once the surface charge has been removed only tops about 11.9, could that be enough to cause problems?