Me and about 10 of my Jeep buddies went ridin last night. Before we left we all decided to hit a big mud hole. I told myself I wasn't going to hit it cause I knew i would mess something up, I hit it anyway(you know how that is). Well I started it this morning and it was a little slow starting but did start, and i noticed the battery was reading that it was dead. I thought maybe the alternator had mud in it, but it's appareantly still working because i drove it to school without it cutting out, ran strong. Do you think it's the alternator, or maybe a bad connection somewhere because of mud?

 

did you leave a light on or anything? check your battery to make sure its getting charge

 

Clean the posts and the terminals I had the same problem water got inbetween them.

 

knowing my dumba** I might've left a light on. Although I didn't notice one on when i got in this morning. But I'm gonna try and clean off all the connections today when i get out of class. Let you know if it helps anything.

 

I just went and drove it around on our break. It still cranked slow but about five seconds after it started it read about 11 or 12 volts then went back down to 9. Does that sound like a loose/muddy connection?

 

Yes it does... Check this out https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/new...ge-pics-62755/

Guy did the same thing and havent quite figured it out yet.. But hopefully yours is not as bad.

Also its a long thread..

 

two possibilities - 1. loose connection or 2. alternator is starting to go bad. Easy fix on this is the take the alternator apart, clean it, and put it back together. Mine was doing the same thing and just cleaning out the alternator made it last another year before it officially crapped out on me 3 months ago.

 

last time i went mudding i got mud in the starter and mine did the same thing i sprayed it really good with wd40 and after the cranking and voltage level went back to normal

 

Matt is everyone still going to the coffee run an sat or have they stopped till the spring

 

I'm not sure. I haven't been able to get out there in a while. I'll see if Parker or Pat know.

 

i havent been able to either but my weekends are freeing up again so i was just wondering

 

Preciate it guys. I'll try all of these and let you know how they go.

 

haha, that post he linked you to is mine. good luck.
mud is NOT friendly to any vehicle. be smart when you mud.

My first Alt was shot, the new one now has possible wiring/short issues.

i would remove the battery connections, clean everything, and then check all your grounds. unfortunately, i have become a master at removing and reinstalling the alternators on these XJs (at least the 87), it takes me less than 20-30min to remove one

as long as your battery gauge doesnt continue to drop and eventually die, then not charge, you wont have my problem.

 

same here went mudding.clean posts runs great

 

When I got home I took off the battery cables and cleaned the minimal crap that was on them. I cranked it up and got my buddy to remove the remove the ground wire on the battery...instantly went dead. So this weekend I'm gonna take it to autozone and get a new one. Thanks for all the input.