check gauges

[rdtj]

i can start my jeep up and it be fine, and all of a sudden my check gauuges light comes on and my volt meter goes flat. the jeep keeps on running like normal but i dont know if its running off the battery or what. any suggestions?

 

[SteelHeadz]

Start off by getting the battery tested and the alternator as well. Most of your local parts store will do it free of charge.

 

[Crazy4diesels]

While the volt meter is "flat" put a test meter across the battery and see if it is low too. Bring the idle up and see if the voltage goes up any. With the engine running put the lights on and see if the voltage is low. You should see more than 13 volts even with the lights on. If all is OK you probably will see between 13 and 14.2 depending on a lot of variables. If it's low do what Mikey suggests and get the alternator checked. Also check your connections between the alternator and the battery. Best of luck - John

 

[rdtj]

i think it might be the alternator because i just bought that optima yellow top about a month ago. the volt meter doesnt go up at all when you rev up the motor. any suggestions on a good high output alternator?

 

[SteelHeadz]

If you don't have very much add on accesories specifically a winch thats rarely used or any electronics that requires a lot of amps when being operated, you dont need a high output alternator. It's a waste of your money IMO. IF you do decide to replace it with a high output alternator, Mean Green manufacture's high output alternators and high torque starters. As suggested by Crazy4Diesels, test it first or have it done by a professional. Most of your modern day vehicles out there that utilizes alternators are a liitle bit more complicated in the sense that the PCM controls the charging system but with a little bit of testing and checking, you can save yourself some headaches and cash by determining what's wrong.

 

[rdtj]

i do plan on testing this and making sure it is the alternator but if i get one it will definatly be high output, i have a 10,000 pound winch 4 fog lights with my 2 driving lights and they get used quite often.

 

[jps4jeep]

cheap upgrade is a Alternator from a 5.9L grand, nearly bolt in, 136 amps compaired to the 70 something stock. google search the swap, plenty of write ups about it.

 

[JPNinPA]

i can start my jeep up and it be fine, and all of a sudden my check gauuges light comes on and my volt meter goes flat. the jeep keeps on running like normal but i dont know if its running off the battery or what. any suggestions?

Is there a CEL and what is it. Check your grounds. And like above check battery and Alt. I had the brushes short together and the meter would bounce around on my F150. If I shut it off while doing this, it wouldn't start.

 

[Greshamjeeper]

i can start my jeep up and it be fine, and all of a sudden my check gauuges light comes on and my volt meter goes flat. the jeep keeps on running like normal but i dont know if its running off the battery or what. any suggestions?

Hi everyone, I'm pretty new here. Having this same problem with my 97 TJ. It runs fine and all lights and radio work but volt meter either sits at the bottom or at around 9. I know I need a battery before too long, but should that affect the volt meter when the engine is running?

 

[superj]

i just went and bought a 94 amp alternator at autozone for 69 bucks. they said that for my year jeep, there is a 70 and a 94 amp version. i said give me the higher one then because i have ac and all the extra junk a laredo comes with. its the only dang 87 wrnagler alternator in corpus and i had to go to a few stores to get it, can you believe that stuff.