On my 96 Cherokee Country there is a light right above my check engine like that reads as "GEN." I looked in my manual and found that it's "currently not in use" but it's a light that lights up when I start it. It's not on steadily yet but I'm curious as to what it is in case it does come on.

 

I have a 96 Country also and have had it come on.It means your alternator is bad for the most part. If your voltage drops below a certain level then it will come on to warn you.I burned my alt up in the mud and it came on.Replaced the alt and it went out.

 

Thanks troy, I figured it had something to do with a precursor to something starting to go out but wasn't sure.

 

Any time.Gen is short for generator.

 

you guys have been alot of help

 

All of the warning lights should come on momentarily when the key is turned to the "on" position.......that's the warning light "bulb check". After the motor starts, the warning lights should go out if all is well.

 

I have two altenators.... this should be fun

 

What do you mean?

 

Mine just came on for the first time ever. Battery was drained last night by my own stupidity (headlights on) and a neighbor jumped it this morning. Charged up the whole way on the way to work (reading ~13 by the time I arrived). Did not leave the lights on again (thank god), but now I'm waiting on a friend for a jump yet again... Did I just not charge it up enough? Or did I somehow screw up the alternator? Does the GEN light always mean the alternator's bad, or in this case is it only serving to underscore my stupidity?

 

How long was your drive?

If it was completely flat it will take several hours to fully charge by the alternator. Best if you can leave it on a charger overnight then see if it holds a charge.

 

The GEN light sits between the alternator and the ignition 'on' circuit. Normally they both have the same voltage so the light stays off. If the alternator stops working, the ignition 'on' side has higher voltage than the alternator side and the light turns on.
Most of the time it's an alternator fault, but can be a wiring problem too.

 

So, to follow up on my adventures... After getting her jumped again after work, I left her running to charge for ~an hour and a half. All seems well this morning! I suppose I just didn't leave the battery recharging long enough. Phew!