Battery / Voltage Regulator Problems? Please Help.

[sigmund79]

1044829

So I love my jeep but it has been quite sick over the past few months. I have a 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo I6 4.0L it has around 135000 mi on it. I have recently replaced the following after a blown water pump.



WaterPump

Serpentine Belt

Thermostat

Temperature Sensor

Radiator

Fan Clutch



I replaced all of these things which took care of cooling problems I was experianing after I replaced the water pump. So I took it on a canoing trip it started once when I brought it down to the water but after that the dash lights drained the battery right away and I would not start. So I got a jump and drove it home making a few stops. The jeep started at the 2 stops I made after driving for a few hours before each stop. When I got home and left the doors open to unload the car it would not start. So I decided that the battery was 5 or so years old and was probably time for a new one. So I replaced the battery and cleaned the connections and it seemed to start and work fine. I have been starting my jeep for the past month and driving it once a week. However when I run on battery the level on the gage is probably between 10 and 11 dangerously close to the red zone and a far cry from the 14 that it normally is, (whatever is straight up and down) Could my voltage regulator be shot? The car runs fine once it is started. Also one time when I started up it seemed to run on the battery for a few seconds until I hit the gas and the alternator engaged. If anyone can understand my confusing story please help. Thanks! Sigmund

[addsig]

 

[dingus]

1044842

does the voltage increase when you step on the gas and hold it down for a while? this happened to my previous car, which basically meant that the alternator was going bad, it would not be able to charge at idle speed, but it could when the engine was spinning faster (thus spinning the alternator faster)... also, check the voltage on the battery with a voltmeter before and after starting the car. it should read 12 volts before starting, and 14 after. use a voltmeter directly on the battery terminals to check, not the one on the dash... you don't know if the voltmeter on the dash is acting up! ... check it out some more...[addsig]

 

[sigmund79]

1044938

Hey thanks,



I will give it a try. Also, is it tough to rebuild an alternator? I could probably do It as long as it is not too tough. I am pretty new to this fix it yourself stuff but so far I am loving it. I will probably go get a VATT test to ensure I am fixing the right thing. Also is the voltage regulator integrated into the 92 jeep cherokee alternator?



Thanks,



Sigmund

[addsig]

 

[dingus]

1044998

there are places that make their living out of rebuilding alternators... i'd be surprised if it was an easy DIY thing, but i'm not saying you CAN'T do it... napa and most autoparts stores sell rebuilt alternators. or you can shell out the big bucks for a NEW MOPAR OEM alternator

... installation'll be pretty simple... remove serpentine belt, unbolt alternator, put new one on, reinstall alternator... pretty easy everything's easy to get to...[addsig]

 

[sigmund79]

1045004

Cool. I am going to do some electrical tests tonight when I get home. If those fail I will probalby just shell out the bucks for a new alternator. btw. do you know if the 1992 cherokee voltage regulator is external or internal to the alternator?



Thanks a million.



Sigmund

[addsig]