1996 Jeep Cherokee Voltage Drops Under Load
 

I own a 1996 Jeep Cherokee Country with the Class III trailer towing
package. I purchased this vehicle new. During the past three years, I
have observed a problem with the electrical system voltage.

When I start the engine after several hours of non-use, the gauge
indicates 13 - 14 volts. During engine idle rpm, if I apply an
electrical load such as the headlamps, the air-conditioning, the rear
window defroster, or turn on the fan to high, the voltage drops by 1 or
2 volts. If I turn on multiple items, the voltage drops to the
threshold value that causes the red GEN lamp to illuminate. Turning
these items off, does not restore the voltage to 13 - 14 volts. I must
turn off the engine, then restart it. Prior to three years ago, the
electrical system would support a full electrical load at engine idle
RPM.

If I drive the vehicle after a cold start, and keep the engine speed
above 1,500 RPM and then apply a full load to the electrical system,
sometimes the voltage begins to drop, sometimes it does not. Once the
engine reaches normal operating temperature, this problem occurs less
frequently, but it still occurs from time to time.

This problem seems to occur regardless of outside air temperature,
humidity, rain, snow, or other environmental conditions. A local
automobile repair shop, with whom I've done business for fifteen years,
was unable to determine the problem. Any ideas?



On an unrelated (hopefully) note, when the air conditioning is operating
in the summer (and obviously the defrost in the winter), the vehicle
produces a loud squealing noise when I turn the steering wheel. The
noise would persist after relieving the hydraulic loud on the steering
system, and would only cease after turning the air conditioning (or
defroster) off for two seconds, then back on. During the last twelve
months, the squealing noise always occurs immediately when I turn on the
air conditioning (or defroster) regardless of steering load. If I keep
the engine RPM low for about thirty seconds, the squealing noise ceases,
even though the air conditioning compressor is still turning.

The Jeep dealership that sold this vehicle to me could not determine the
source of this problem after three visits. A local reputable repair
shop was also unable to determine the problem. Again, any ideas.

Thank you.

--


Kurt Todoroff
kurt.r.todoroff@comcast.net

Markets, not mandates and mob rule.
Consent, not coercion.

Re: 1996 Jeep Cherokee Voltage Drops Under Load
 

Kurt R. Todoroff did pass the time by typing:
> I own a 1996 Jeep Cherokee Country with the Class III trailer towing
> package. I purchased this vehicle new. During the past three years, I
> have observed a problem with the electrical system voltage.

Several things ranging from battery/wires/alternator/slipping belt/computer

Clean the battery terminals and double check the wires. Check the battery water
level to make sure you don't have a low cell.

You didn't say what engine but for the I6 check the ground wire that goes from the
coil to the frame. Also remove, clean and reinstall the chassis ground from the battery.
(any place there is a connection)

Examine your belt for any shiny spots and make sure it's tensioned properly.
Your year probably has an auto tensioned. If the belt is original, forget
checking and just replace it.

Take the battery and have it load tested at a local AutoZone/Pepboys/CanadianTire, etc.

Testing the rest is a bit more involved so start with the above.


--
-- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://members.cox.net/wilsond
HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!

Re: 1996 Jeep Cherokee Voltage Drops Under Load
 

Kurt R. Todoroff did pass the time by typing:
> I own a 1996 Jeep Cherokee Country with the Class III trailer towing
> package. I purchased this vehicle new. During the past three years, I
> have observed a problem with the electrical system voltage.

Several things ranging from battery/wires/alternator/slipping belt/computer

Clean the battery terminals and double check the wires. Check the battery water
level to make sure you don't have a low cell.

You didn't say what engine but for the I6 check the ground wire that goes from the
coil to the frame. Also remove, clean and reinstall the chassis ground from the battery.
(any place there is a connection)

Examine your belt for any shiny spots and make sure it's tensioned properly.
Your year probably has an auto tensioned. If the belt is original, forget
checking and just replace it.

Take the battery and have it load tested at a local AutoZone/Pepboys/CanadianTire, etc.

Testing the rest is a bit more involved so start with the above.


--
-- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://members.cox.net/wilsond
HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!

Re: 1996 Jeep Cherokee Voltage Drops Under Load
 

Kurt R. Todoroff did pass the time by typing:
> I own a 1996 Jeep Cherokee Country with the Class III trailer towing
> package. I purchased this vehicle new. During the past three years, I
> have observed a problem with the electrical system voltage.

Several things ranging from battery/wires/alternator/slipping belt/computer

Clean the battery terminals and double check the wires. Check the battery water
level to make sure you don't have a low cell.

You didn't say what engine but for the I6 check the ground wire that goes from the
coil to the frame. Also remove, clean and reinstall the chassis ground from the battery.
(any place there is a connection)

Examine your belt for any shiny spots and make sure it's tensioned properly.
Your year probably has an auto tensioned. If the belt is original, forget
checking and just replace it.

Take the battery and have it load tested at a local AutoZone/Pepboys/CanadianTire, etc.

Testing the rest is a bit more involved so start with the above.


--
-- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://members.cox.net/wilsond
HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!

Re: 1996 Jeep Cherokee Voltage Drops Under Load
 

Your issues are related and pretty common for anyone who runs mud.

Time or in our case mud will dry out and polish up the face of the fan
belt. The belt will still look ok and be properly tight, but it fails
under load.

In my CJ7's mud pit days, I would kill a fan belt every season. Mud
equals liquid sandpaper. Dust isn't as bad, but....

To test this, I take a cold off engine and see if I can hand slip the
alternator pulley. If I can make it slip by hand, for sure it will not
grab solid under load. The alternator takes a few horsepower to fire up
under load.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

"Kurt R. Todoroff" wrote:
>
> I own a 1996 Jeep Cherokee Country with the Class III trailer towing
> package. I purchased this vehicle new. During the past three years, I
> have observed a problem with the electrical system voltage.
>
> When I start the engine after several hours of non-use, the gauge
> indicates 13 - 14 volts. During engine idle rpm, if I apply an
> electrical load such as the headlamps, the air-conditioning, the rear
> window defroster, or turn on the fan to high, the voltage drops by 1 or
> 2 volts. If I turn on multiple items, the voltage drops to the
> threshold value that causes the red GEN lamp to illuminate. Turning
> these items off, does not restore the voltage to 13 - 14 volts. I must
> turn off the engine, then restart it. Prior to three years ago, the
> electrical system would support a full electrical load at engine idle
> RPM.
>
> If I drive the vehicle after a cold start, and keep the engine speed
> above 1,500 RPM and then apply a full load to the electrical system,
> sometimes the voltage begins to drop, sometimes it does not. Once the
> engine reaches normal operating temperature, this problem occurs less
> frequently, but it still occurs from time to time.
>
> This problem seems to occur regardless of outside air temperature,
> humidity, rain, snow, or other environmental conditions. A local
> automobile repair shop, with whom I've done business for fifteen years,
> was unable to determine the problem. Any ideas?
>
> On an unrelated (hopefully) note, when the air conditioning is operating
> in the summer (and obviously the defrost in the winter), the vehicle
> produces a loud squealing noise when I turn the steering wheel. The
> noise would persist after relieving the hydraulic loud on the steering
> system, and would only cease after turning the air conditioning (or
> defroster) off for two seconds, then back on. During the last twelve
> months, the squealing noise always occurs immediately when I turn on the
> air conditioning (or defroster) regardless of steering load. If I keep
> the engine RPM low for about thirty seconds, the squealing noise ceases,
> even though the air conditioning compressor is still turning.
>
> The Jeep dealership that sold this vehicle to me could not determine the
> source of this problem after three visits. A local reputable repair
> shop was also unable to determine the problem. Again, any ideas.
>
> Thank you.
>
> --
>
> Kurt Todoroff
> kurt.r.todoroff@comcast.net
>
> Markets, not mandates and mob rule.
> Consent, not coercion.

Re: 1996 Jeep Cherokee Voltage Drops Under Load
 

Your issues are related and pretty common for anyone who runs mud.

Time or in our case mud will dry out and polish up the face of the fan
belt. The belt will still look ok and be properly tight, but it fails
under load.

In my CJ7's mud pit days, I would kill a fan belt every season. Mud
equals liquid sandpaper. Dust isn't as bad, but....

To test this, I take a cold off engine and see if I can hand slip the
alternator pulley. If I can make it slip by hand, for sure it will not
grab solid under load. The alternator takes a few horsepower to fire up
under load.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

"Kurt R. Todoroff" wrote:
>
> I own a 1996 Jeep Cherokee Country with the Class III trailer towing
> package. I purchased this vehicle new. During the past three years, I
> have observed a problem with the electrical system voltage.
>
> When I start the engine after several hours of non-use, the gauge
> indicates 13 - 14 volts. During engine idle rpm, if I apply an
> electrical load such as the headlamps, the air-conditioning, the rear
> window defroster, or turn on the fan to high, the voltage drops by 1 or
> 2 volts. If I turn on multiple items, the voltage drops to the
> threshold value that causes the red GEN lamp to illuminate. Turning
> these items off, does not restore the voltage to 13 - 14 volts. I must
> turn off the engine, then restart it. Prior to three years ago, the
> electrical system would support a full electrical load at engine idle
> RPM.
>
> If I drive the vehicle after a cold start, and keep the engine speed
> above 1,500 RPM and then apply a full load to the electrical system,
> sometimes the voltage begins to drop, sometimes it does not. Once the
> engine reaches normal operating temperature, this problem occurs less
> frequently, but it still occurs from time to time.
>
> This problem seems to occur regardless of outside air temperature,
> humidity, rain, snow, or other environmental conditions. A local
> automobile repair shop, with whom I've done business for fifteen years,
> was unable to determine the problem. Any ideas?
>
> On an unrelated (hopefully) note, when the air conditioning is operating
> in the summer (and obviously the defrost in the winter), the vehicle
> produces a loud squealing noise when I turn the steering wheel. The
> noise would persist after relieving the hydraulic loud on the steering
> system, and would only cease after turning the air conditioning (or
> defroster) off for two seconds, then back on. During the last twelve
> months, the squealing noise always occurs immediately when I turn on the
> air conditioning (or defroster) regardless of steering load. If I keep
> the engine RPM low for about thirty seconds, the squealing noise ceases,
> even though the air conditioning compressor is still turning.
>
> The Jeep dealership that sold this vehicle to me could not determine the
> source of this problem after three visits. A local reputable repair
> shop was also unable to determine the problem. Again, any ideas.
>
> Thank you.
>
> --
>
> Kurt Todoroff
> kurt.r.todoroff@comcast.net
>
> Markets, not mandates and mob rule.
> Consent, not coercion.

Re: 1996 Jeep Cherokee Voltage Drops Under Load
 

Your issues are related and pretty common for anyone who runs mud.

Time or in our case mud will dry out and polish up the face of the fan
belt. The belt will still look ok and be properly tight, but it fails
under load.

In my CJ7's mud pit days, I would kill a fan belt every season. Mud
equals liquid sandpaper. Dust isn't as bad, but....

To test this, I take a cold off engine and see if I can hand slip the
alternator pulley. If I can make it slip by hand, for sure it will not
grab solid under load. The alternator takes a few horsepower to fire up
under load.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

"Kurt R. Todoroff" wrote:
>
> I own a 1996 Jeep Cherokee Country with the Class III trailer towing
> package. I purchased this vehicle new. During the past three years, I
> have observed a problem with the electrical system voltage.
>
> When I start the engine after several hours of non-use, the gauge
> indicates 13 - 14 volts. During engine idle rpm, if I apply an
> electrical load such as the headlamps, the air-conditioning, the rear
> window defroster, or turn on the fan to high, the voltage drops by 1 or
> 2 volts. If I turn on multiple items, the voltage drops to the
> threshold value that causes the red GEN lamp to illuminate. Turning
> these items off, does not restore the voltage to 13 - 14 volts. I must
> turn off the engine, then restart it. Prior to three years ago, the
> electrical system would support a full electrical load at engine idle
> RPM.
>
> If I drive the vehicle after a cold start, and keep the engine speed
> above 1,500 RPM and then apply a full load to the electrical system,
> sometimes the voltage begins to drop, sometimes it does not. Once the
> engine reaches normal operating temperature, this problem occurs less
> frequently, but it still occurs from time to time.
>
> This problem seems to occur regardless of outside air temperature,
> humidity, rain, snow, or other environmental conditions. A local
> automobile repair shop, with whom I've done business for fifteen years,
> was unable to determine the problem. Any ideas?
>
> On an unrelated (hopefully) note, when the air conditioning is operating
> in the summer (and obviously the defrost in the winter), the vehicle
> produces a loud squealing noise when I turn the steering wheel. The
> noise would persist after relieving the hydraulic loud on the steering
> system, and would only cease after turning the air conditioning (or
> defroster) off for two seconds, then back on. During the last twelve
> months, the squealing noise always occurs immediately when I turn on the
> air conditioning (or defroster) regardless of steering load. If I keep
> the engine RPM low for about thirty seconds, the squealing noise ceases,
> even though the air conditioning compressor is still turning.
>
> The Jeep dealership that sold this vehicle to me could not determine the
> source of this problem after three visits. A local reputable repair
> shop was also unable to determine the problem. Again, any ideas.
>
> Thank you.
>
> --
>
> Kurt Todoroff
> kurt.r.todoroff@comcast.net
>
> Markets, not mandates and mob rule.
> Consent, not coercion.

Re: 1996 Jeep Cherokee Voltage Drops Under Load
 

Sure sounds like a slipping belt. But to confirm, with the jeep cold
(which the dealer likely never did) open the hood, start the jeep ...
run around to the front and observe the belt moving ... but the AC
compressor not turning ... until the belt warms up (friction) and
starts to grab :-)

Re: 1996 Jeep Cherokee Voltage Drops Under Load
 

Sure sounds like a slipping belt. But to confirm, with the jeep cold
(which the dealer likely never did) open the hood, start the jeep ...
run around to the front and observe the belt moving ... but the AC
compressor not turning ... until the belt warms up (friction) and
starts to grab :-)

Re: 1996 Jeep Cherokee Voltage Drops Under Load
 

Sure sounds like a slipping belt. But to confirm, with the jeep cold
(which the dealer likely never did) open the hood, start the jeep ...
run around to the front and observe the belt moving ... but the AC
compressor not turning ... until the belt warms up (friction) and
starts to grab :-)