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Here's a quick couple of tests to check the alenator, while running, see if a wrech will stick to the back of the altenator. If not weak altenator. Then Start the jeep, pull the positive battery cable, then start turning on the electrical items..... Headlights, radio etc.... Until everything is on or the jeep dies. If the jeep dies, bad alternator.
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Clean the battery cable connections.
How old is the starter? The bushings could be going bad and, when hot, can sound like the battery is going dead.
Skip NAPA and go to Vannata's Auto Electric. He does good rebuilds.
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This happens on/off and usually when cold. I'm gonna try some of SideshowBobs tests now. Thanks Tom.
Wrench stuck to the alternator (not super tight, but there was obvious magnetism) and the Heep ran fine for 15 mins with everything on and the + battery cable off. Bad battery looks like. I got the charger on it for tonight just to be safe so I can get to work tomorrow.
With modern electronics, this is a bad idea... worked fine on older vehicles, but especially if there's a problem with your charging system (shorted diodes, etc), then you could fry the computer, etc... the battery acts like a giant capacitor, absorbing voltage spikes, and limiting the overall voltage. Without it in the system (even a bad battery), you could have voltage spikes that destroy electronics.Originally Posted by SideShow Bob
don't believe me? then ask this guy: http://www.w8ji.com/battery_and_charging_system.htm
I love the backyard methods, but they're subjective... and there are a lot of variables, if the battery isn't taking a charge, and there's not a large load on the alternator, then it won't stick well... There's nothing like the solid # you get from a Digital Multimeter... check the voltage at the battery right after starting, should be around 14.3-14.4V.. if higher, it will boil out the water, if lower, there's something wrong somewhere
so then you check the Alternator output with the DMM (Digital MultiMeter) ground on the alternator case. If you have around 14.4V there, then the problem is in wiring somewhere... check vs chassis ground somewhere and if that's lower, then you've got a bad ground somewhere- if it's the same, then the problem is in the + feed to the battery.
You have to think of all electrical circuits as a loop- the - has to get to the + eventually, weakest link will prevent it from working.
All that said, I'd put money on the battery still.
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A lot of good advice. Diagnostics require more than indicator lights. Typically a fuctioning system will have ~13.8-14.4ish volts at the battery. There are a few obvious things mentioned (battery, alternator, starter). One thing to check is if the voltage regulator is integrated with the alternator. If not, and voltage is out of whack, look for the regulator.
That being said, I've had a brand new battery be completely dead, so it's a possibility.
Modern auto electronics do not like to hit zero volts. A BMW for example requires a system reboot by an authorized dealer, typically an $800 bill.
If that fails, try googling the issue, if you have this, there are probably a few hundred thousand other Jeep owners who have posted their experiences.
Also, if it is the battery, don't skimp, buy an Optima from Amazon Prime.
Turn on the motor and let it run. Take the negative off the battery, if it stays running, the alternator is working. If it dies then bad alternator.
Last edited by bside303; 09-11-2014 at 21:40.
Are Optimas as good as they used to be?
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I know someone who works for interstate batteries who has intimated that optima's quality has suffered in the last few years.
I have had good luck with them in the past though.
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