1999 Jeep Cherokee Need guidance on next step for Electrica

JASMNIOD

MEMBER
1999 JEEP CHEROKEE

Electrical problem
1999 Jeep Cherokee 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic 200K+ miles

While driving, the "check gauges" light comes on and the battery voltage gauge drops. Within a few minutes of all the interior lights dimming, the radio loses power then the fuel pump shortly later. Vehicle stalls at this point and has no battery left to restart. After a quick jump, it will fire up but the problems start all over again.

So far I have changed batteries and cleaned the terminals but the problem remains.

Tuesday, December 16th, 2008 AT 12:19 PM

1 Reply

ANIMALFARM

MEMBER
58 POSTS

First thought IMMEDIATELY - "AHHHRRGG, WHAR BE THE ALTENATOR OUTPUT, ahhrrggh". (Pirate Talk). Sounds like you aren't getting any charging voltage from the altenator. CHECK the charging circuit FUSE(s) - see owner's manual fuse box diagram. If you have access to a Digital Multi meter (Now $1.99 at Harbor Freight) measure the battery voltage BEFORE starting engine (should be around 12.8 vdc +/- a few tenths of a volt. Then start engine, remove jumper cables, and measure voltage again. Should read around 14vdc +/- a few tenths of a volt. IF the fuse(s) check good before doing this, and the after-starting output isn't 14vdc+/-, I would suspect altenator-related (loose wire, bad alt.).
Just initial thoughts. Arrrgghhh!

Second Thought - You have a massive drain/short on your electrical system pulling the battery down. Has your positive battery cable rubbed against something and cut thru the insulation? A small wire should basically melt in half if enough current went thru it to pull the btty down so quickly. Hmmm.

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Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 AT 12:36 PM