O I have a 98 xj and lately when I start her up the battery gauge stays at 9. Shut it off and crank it again goes to 14 than drops back down to9 and check gauges lights up. This happened about a while back, check battery and alternator wiring all ok. Is alternator on its way out? Always thought they are either good or bad. Bartlett is about 2 years old. Any help would be great

Also when this happens all gauges don't work.
About. Week ago had issues with interior lights coming on by themselfs. Not sure if it related

Are you sure the alternator is working well?
Have you tested with a voltimeter the battery?


I had a similar issue and was the alternator (plenty of mud). Had to remove (PITA), dissassemble, clean, and install again. After that worked without problems and the gauge is always at 14v.

Did you buy a new alternator or just clean it up, checked mine and it is muddy as well. How do you check it with a meter? Thanks

Did you have any luck? I am having a similar issue. I replaced ground wire, cleaned connection, added ground wire form battery to front engine strap. None of which helped, I don't think it will have hurt, though it did not fix the problem. There was an article in another forum, where a relay was used to feed the fuse which controls the gauges. It does look and sound as though it should work but, it is not actually fixing the problem just making the gauge read correct.

Since posting the problem it's been fine, go figure. I did check our alternator and it pretty nasty from the trails. I tested battery with a meter and is charging as of now. When it does it again I'm gonna jump out and test it to see if it's charging or just a gauge issue. If not charging I'm just gonna get a new alternator it's probably the original anyways, and upgrade the grounds and wires.
Hopefully that will fix that problem.
I had a problem with interior lights coming on at random times, checked headlight switch, all door sensors. Not sure about that one. Lol