gonzochef

So about a week ago I was having issues with my battery losing a charge and the car dying after approximately an hour of drive time. The check engine and check gauges lights kept coming on within minutes of starting the car. The battery gauge was at about twelve upon startup and would drop to nine when the CE and CG lights came on. I got the battery slow charged at the parts store two separate times, each time it would be drained after said drive time. I was convinced it was the alternator, so I grunted and groaned through popping that SOB out of there. Took it to the parts store and it tested good! UGH!!! Anyways, I brought it home and put everything back together and when I started it up it runs like a dream. No check engine light, no check gauges light. Is there a reason why this happened and what I might want to look for to keep it from happening again?

GarrettJ

Get your battery checked..i was having weird issues losing a charge also..didn't think battery at first but i decided i would get it checked cause it died in the parking lot after only being gone 10 minutes.. Figured I'd start with the easiest thing then work my way up...well that was it lol

Edit: How dirty were the connections on your alternator when you took it off?

gonzochef

They didn't seem too crusty but I thought about that. Maybe just popping off those connections and banging on it with a BFH knocked off some corrosion.

Turbocube

Honestly, when I look at the filth covering my alternator and starter connections, I'm amazed I haven't had a problem yet.

RTorrez1

I would start by cleaning all of the grounding points. Not just the battery but all of them. Dirty grounds can cause all kinds of problems.

Roler

1) Have battery load tested > if ok then proceed
2) clean terminals, connections and grounds and make sure they are back on snug
3) fully charge your battery and recheck voltage before next start
> if not holding charge, check for parasitic battery drain

cruiser54

See that little note of advice below in my signature?

gonzochef

I didn't see your signature or the note... I'm on the forum app.

DFlintstone

Ah! The one-handed clap!

DFlintstone

Maybe you had a bad connection that got "refreshed", removing, re-installing the Alt? Also the brushes in the alt....on their last legs they might make intermittent contact. If that's the case the problem will crop up again soon.

Anyway here is the link to Crusiers tips> https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/cr...x-tips-153657/

cruiser54

R*C*B*R*C

Refresh Connections Before Replacing Components

I wish there was a way we could tell that someone is on the app before we post......

DFlintstone

Yea. I've noticed a "rash", of posters blowing off filling out their info as the "information age" progresses. I suppose that's a clew they can't see things.

gonzochef

Sorry guys, just using the app because it's handy.

DFlintstone

Hey Gonzo...I wonder if there is an "App" for that app? Call it. "access a web page"...invent it! You might make a mint!

cruiser54

I understand. Sometimes I get frustrated thinking nobody is paying attention when in fact the app sucks.