Jeep Cherokee 1990 - not charging
 

Noticed today that my voltmeter was well in the red while driving to the
store. No problem starting yet but only drove 3 km.

This is on a 1990 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L

Something like this happend some years ago and then I had to get a new
alternator. Suspect the same this time, but would like some tips on what to
check before ordering a new alternator or having a mechanic check this out.

I have a battery tester and a multimeter at hand. I plan to first check the
battery with the tester to see if it works ok with load. Then measure
battery volts when the car is not running (should be something like 12V) and
when car is running (should be higher, preferably 14.4V).

Of course I will try cleaning battery connections (Optima red top battery,
some years old).

Anything else I could check?

regards
Odd-Inge Larsen
North Norway

Re: Jeep Cherokee 1990 - not charging
 

Slip-ring brushes wear out on an alternator and are relatively easy to
replace, besides being really cheap. Before giving up any alternator for
dead I check or replace them. Price in the US is about $5.00, about 4
Euros, then add in shipping. The drive belt could be loose too. It should
make a noise if slipping, but sometimes they don't.

If you have a manual and a resistance meter (Ohmmeter) you can figure out
where the slip ring brushes are connected and check for connectivity.
Infinite resistance means the brushes have worn out. I don't know how many
rebuilt or new alternators are sold in the US because these little parts
have worn out.

Good luck,

Earle

"Odd-Inge Larsen" <oddingelarsen@dcpost.no> wrote in message
news:f5k6hg$ckd$1@troll.powertech.no...
> Noticed today that my voltmeter was well in the red while driving to the
> store. No problem starting yet but only drove 3 km.
>
> This is on a 1990 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L
>
> Something like this happend some years ago and then I had to get a new
> alternator. Suspect the same this time, but would like some tips on what
to
> check before ordering a new alternator or having a mechanic check this
out.
>
> I have a battery tester and a multimeter at hand. I plan to first check
the
> battery with the tester to see if it works ok with load. Then measure
> battery volts when the car is not running (should be something like 12V)
and
> when car is running (should be higher, preferably 14.4V).
>
> Of course I will try cleaning battery connections (Optima red top battery,
> some years old).
>
> Anything else I could check?
>
> regards
> Odd-Inge Larsen
> North Norway
>
>



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Re: Jeep Cherokee 1990 - not charging
 

Slip-ring brushes wear out on an alternator and are relatively easy to
replace, besides being really cheap. Before giving up any alternator for
dead I check or replace them. Price in the US is about $5.00, about 4
Euros, then add in shipping. The drive belt could be loose too. It should
make a noise if slipping, but sometimes they don't.

If you have a manual and a resistance meter (Ohmmeter) you can figure out
where the slip ring brushes are connected and check for connectivity.
Infinite resistance means the brushes have worn out. I don't know how many
rebuilt or new alternators are sold in the US because these little parts
have worn out.

Good luck,

Earle

"Odd-Inge Larsen" <oddingelarsen@dcpost.no> wrote in message
news:f5k6hg$ckd$1@troll.powertech.no...
> Noticed today that my voltmeter was well in the red while driving to the
> store. No problem starting yet but only drove 3 km.
>
> This is on a 1990 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L
>
> Something like this happend some years ago and then I had to get a new
> alternator. Suspect the same this time, but would like some tips on what
to
> check before ordering a new alternator or having a mechanic check this
out.
>
> I have a battery tester and a multimeter at hand. I plan to first check
the
> battery with the tester to see if it works ok with load. Then measure
> battery volts when the car is not running (should be something like 12V)
and
> when car is running (should be higher, preferably 14.4V).
>
> Of course I will try cleaning battery connections (Optima red top battery,
> some years old).
>
> Anything else I could check?
>
> regards
> Odd-Inge Larsen
> North Norway
>
>



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Re: Jeep Cherokee 1990 - not charging
 

Slip-ring brushes wear out on an alternator and are relatively easy to
replace, besides being really cheap. Before giving up any alternator for
dead I check or replace them. Price in the US is about $5.00, about 4
Euros, then add in shipping. The drive belt could be loose too. It should
make a noise if slipping, but sometimes they don't.

If you have a manual and a resistance meter (Ohmmeter) you can figure out
where the slip ring brushes are connected and check for connectivity.
Infinite resistance means the brushes have worn out. I don't know how many
rebuilt or new alternators are sold in the US because these little parts
have worn out.

Good luck,

Earle

"Odd-Inge Larsen" <oddingelarsen@dcpost.no> wrote in message
news:f5k6hg$ckd$1@troll.powertech.no...
> Noticed today that my voltmeter was well in the red while driving to the
> store. No problem starting yet but only drove 3 km.
>
> This is on a 1990 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L
>
> Something like this happend some years ago and then I had to get a new
> alternator. Suspect the same this time, but would like some tips on what
to
> check before ordering a new alternator or having a mechanic check this
out.
>
> I have a battery tester and a multimeter at hand. I plan to first check
the
> battery with the tester to see if it works ok with load. Then measure
> battery volts when the car is not running (should be something like 12V)
and
> when car is running (should be higher, preferably 14.4V).
>
> Of course I will try cleaning battery connections (Optima red top battery,
> some years old).
>
> Anything else I could check?
>
> regards
> Odd-Inge Larsen
> North Norway
>
>



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Re: Jeep Cherokee 1990 - not charging
 

Slip-ring brushes wear out on an alternator and are relatively easy to
replace, besides being really cheap. Before giving up any alternator for
dead I check or replace them. Price in the US is about $5.00, about 4
Euros, then add in shipping. The drive belt could be loose too. It should
make a noise if slipping, but sometimes they don't.

If you have a manual and a resistance meter (Ohmmeter) you can figure out
where the slip ring brushes are connected and check for connectivity.
Infinite resistance means the brushes have worn out. I don't know how many
rebuilt or new alternators are sold in the US because these little parts
have worn out.

Good luck,

Earle

"Odd-Inge Larsen" <oddingelarsen@dcpost.no> wrote in message
news:f5k6hg$ckd$1@troll.powertech.no...
> Noticed today that my voltmeter was well in the red while driving to the
> store. No problem starting yet but only drove 3 km.
>
> This is on a 1990 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L
>
> Something like this happend some years ago and then I had to get a new
> alternator. Suspect the same this time, but would like some tips on what
to
> check before ordering a new alternator or having a mechanic check this
out.
>
> I have a battery tester and a multimeter at hand. I plan to first check
the
> battery with the tester to see if it works ok with load. Then measure
> battery volts when the car is not running (should be something like 12V)
and
> when car is running (should be higher, preferably 14.4V).
>
> Of course I will try cleaning battery connections (Optima red top battery,
> some years old).
>
> Anything else I could check?
>
> regards
> Odd-Inge Larsen
> North Norway
>
>



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Re: Jeep Cherokee 1990 - not charging
 

Jepp, brushes was in my mind to. Had to change brushes on my starter motor
just a few months ago and that cured it from not turning. Real cheap and
easy fix I must say. Problem I guess is finding out what type of alternator
I have. How many amps and so on.

Maybe I could try tapping the alternator lightly to see if the bruses make
contact again. If so I could be pretty shure that this is the problem.

Good idea to check drive belt slipping. Will do that.

thanks
Odd-Inge


"Earle Horton" <el_anglo_burgues@usa.com> wrote in message
news:467dd733$0$16387$88260bb3@free.teranews.com.. .
> Slip-ring brushes wear out on an alternator and are relatively easy to
> replace, besides being really cheap. Before giving up any alternator for
> dead I check or replace them. Price in the US is about $5.00, about 4
> Euros, then add in shipping. The drive belt could be loose too. It
> should
> make a noise if slipping, but sometimes they don't.
>
> If you have a manual and a resistance meter (Ohmmeter) you can figure out
> where the slip ring brushes are connected and check for connectivity.
> Infinite resistance means the brushes have worn out. I don't know how
> many
> rebuilt or new alternators are sold in the US because these little parts
> have worn out.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Earle
>
> "Odd-Inge Larsen" <oddingelarsen@dcpost.no> wrote in message
> news:f5k6hg$ckd$1@troll.powertech.no...
>> Noticed today that my voltmeter was well in the red while driving to the
>> store. No problem starting yet but only drove 3 km.
>>
>> This is on a 1990 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L
>>
>> Something like this happend some years ago and then I had to get a new
>> alternator. Suspect the same this time, but would like some tips on what
> to
>> check before ordering a new alternator or having a mechanic check this
> out.
>>
>> I have a battery tester and a multimeter at hand. I plan to first check
> the
>> battery with the tester to see if it works ok with load. Then measure
>> battery volts when the car is not running (should be something like 12V)
> and
>> when car is running (should be higher, preferably 14.4V).
>>
>> Of course I will try cleaning battery connections (Optima red top
>> battery,
>> some years old).
>>
>> Anything else I could check?
>>
>> regards
>> Odd-Inge Larsen
>> North Norway
>>
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
>

Re: Jeep Cherokee 1990 - not charging
 

Jepp, brushes was in my mind to. Had to change brushes on my starter motor
just a few months ago and that cured it from not turning. Real cheap and
easy fix I must say. Problem I guess is finding out what type of alternator
I have. How many amps and so on.

Maybe I could try tapping the alternator lightly to see if the bruses make
contact again. If so I could be pretty shure that this is the problem.

Good idea to check drive belt slipping. Will do that.

thanks
Odd-Inge


"Earle Horton" <el_anglo_burgues@usa.com> wrote in message
news:467dd733$0$16387$88260bb3@free.teranews.com.. .
> Slip-ring brushes wear out on an alternator and are relatively easy to
> replace, besides being really cheap. Before giving up any alternator for
> dead I check or replace them. Price in the US is about $5.00, about 4
> Euros, then add in shipping. The drive belt could be loose too. It
> should
> make a noise if slipping, but sometimes they don't.
>
> If you have a manual and a resistance meter (Ohmmeter) you can figure out
> where the slip ring brushes are connected and check for connectivity.
> Infinite resistance means the brushes have worn out. I don't know how
> many
> rebuilt or new alternators are sold in the US because these little parts
> have worn out.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Earle
>
> "Odd-Inge Larsen" <oddingelarsen@dcpost.no> wrote in message
> news:f5k6hg$ckd$1@troll.powertech.no...
>> Noticed today that my voltmeter was well in the red while driving to the
>> store. No problem starting yet but only drove 3 km.
>>
>> This is on a 1990 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L
>>
>> Something like this happend some years ago and then I had to get a new
>> alternator. Suspect the same this time, but would like some tips on what
> to
>> check before ordering a new alternator or having a mechanic check this
> out.
>>
>> I have a battery tester and a multimeter at hand. I plan to first check
> the
>> battery with the tester to see if it works ok with load. Then measure
>> battery volts when the car is not running (should be something like 12V)
> and
>> when car is running (should be higher, preferably 14.4V).
>>
>> Of course I will try cleaning battery connections (Optima red top
>> battery,
>> some years old).
>>
>> Anything else I could check?
>>
>> regards
>> Odd-Inge Larsen
>> North Norway
>>
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
>

Re: Jeep Cherokee 1990 - not charging
 

Jepp, brushes was in my mind to. Had to change brushes on my starter motor
just a few months ago and that cured it from not turning. Real cheap and
easy fix I must say. Problem I guess is finding out what type of alternator
I have. How many amps and so on.

Maybe I could try tapping the alternator lightly to see if the bruses make
contact again. If so I could be pretty shure that this is the problem.

Good idea to check drive belt slipping. Will do that.

thanks
Odd-Inge


"Earle Horton" <el_anglo_burgues@usa.com> wrote in message
news:467dd733$0$16387$88260bb3@free.teranews.com.. .
> Slip-ring brushes wear out on an alternator and are relatively easy to
> replace, besides being really cheap. Before giving up any alternator for
> dead I check or replace them. Price in the US is about $5.00, about 4
> Euros, then add in shipping. The drive belt could be loose too. It
> should
> make a noise if slipping, but sometimes they don't.
>
> If you have a manual and a resistance meter (Ohmmeter) you can figure out
> where the slip ring brushes are connected and check for connectivity.
> Infinite resistance means the brushes have worn out. I don't know how
> many
> rebuilt or new alternators are sold in the US because these little parts
> have worn out.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Earle
>
> "Odd-Inge Larsen" <oddingelarsen@dcpost.no> wrote in message
> news:f5k6hg$ckd$1@troll.powertech.no...
>> Noticed today that my voltmeter was well in the red while driving to the
>> store. No problem starting yet but only drove 3 km.
>>
>> This is on a 1990 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L
>>
>> Something like this happend some years ago and then I had to get a new
>> alternator. Suspect the same this time, but would like some tips on what
> to
>> check before ordering a new alternator or having a mechanic check this
> out.
>>
>> I have a battery tester and a multimeter at hand. I plan to first check
> the
>> battery with the tester to see if it works ok with load. Then measure
>> battery volts when the car is not running (should be something like 12V)
> and
>> when car is running (should be higher, preferably 14.4V).
>>
>> Of course I will try cleaning battery connections (Optima red top
>> battery,
>> some years old).
>>
>> Anything else I could check?
>>
>> regards
>> Odd-Inge Larsen
>> North Norway
>>
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
>

Re: Jeep Cherokee 1990 - not charging
 

Jepp, brushes was in my mind to. Had to change brushes on my starter motor
just a few months ago and that cured it from not turning. Real cheap and
easy fix I must say. Problem I guess is finding out what type of alternator
I have. How many amps and so on.

Maybe I could try tapping the alternator lightly to see if the bruses make
contact again. If so I could be pretty shure that this is the problem.

Good idea to check drive belt slipping. Will do that.

thanks
Odd-Inge


"Earle Horton" <el_anglo_burgues@usa.com> wrote in message
news:467dd733$0$16387$88260bb3@free.teranews.com.. .
> Slip-ring brushes wear out on an alternator and are relatively easy to
> replace, besides being really cheap. Before giving up any alternator for
> dead I check or replace them. Price in the US is about $5.00, about 4
> Euros, then add in shipping. The drive belt could be loose too. It
> should
> make a noise if slipping, but sometimes they don't.
>
> If you have a manual and a resistance meter (Ohmmeter) you can figure out
> where the slip ring brushes are connected and check for connectivity.
> Infinite resistance means the brushes have worn out. I don't know how
> many
> rebuilt or new alternators are sold in the US because these little parts
> have worn out.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Earle
>
> "Odd-Inge Larsen" <oddingelarsen@dcpost.no> wrote in message
> news:f5k6hg$ckd$1@troll.powertech.no...
>> Noticed today that my voltmeter was well in the red while driving to the
>> store. No problem starting yet but only drove 3 km.
>>
>> This is on a 1990 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L
>>
>> Something like this happend some years ago and then I had to get a new
>> alternator. Suspect the same this time, but would like some tips on what
> to
>> check before ordering a new alternator or having a mechanic check this
> out.
>>
>> I have a battery tester and a multimeter at hand. I plan to first check
> the
>> battery with the tester to see if it works ok with load. Then measure
>> battery volts when the car is not running (should be something like 12V)
> and
>> when car is running (should be higher, preferably 14.4V).
>>
>> Of course I will try cleaning battery connections (Optima red top
>> battery,
>> some years old).
>>
>> Anything else I could check?
>>
>> regards
>> Odd-Inge Larsen
>> North Norway
>>
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
>

Re: Jeep Cherokee 1990 - not charging
 

I am a bit unsure now. Checked every connection and found no problems there.
Cleaned battery connections but they looked ok.



Measured only 11.53 Volts on the battery when car not running. It dropped to
11.23 when car was running. Battery tester showed battery as "weak".



Checked another battery in my tractor and it measured 12.2 Volts not running
and battery tester showed "Good".



Voltmeter in car shows some charging, borderline red mark.



Attached a battery charger and it seems to struggle a bit putting some juice
into the battery. On its lowest setting the meter shows about 10 amps and
that's a bit abnormal. I tried this also with battery disconnected from car
but no difference.



The battery in my car is a Sonnak Exide, same technology as Optima. It is
maybe 6-8 years old. Battery in my tractor is an Optima red top.


regards
Odd-Inge



"Odd-Inge Larsen" <oddingelarsen@dcpost.no> wrote in message
news:f5k6hg$ckd$1@troll.powertech.no...
> Noticed today that my voltmeter was well in the red while driving to the
> store. No problem starting yet but only drove 3 km.
>
> This is on a 1990 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L
>
> Something like this happend some years ago and then I had to get a new
> alternator. Suspect the same this time, but would like some tips on what
> to check before ordering a new alternator or having a mechanic check this
> out.
>
> I have a battery tester and a multimeter at hand. I plan to first check
> the battery with the tester to see if it works ok with load. Then measure
> battery volts when the car is not running (should be something like 12V)
> and when car is running (should be higher, preferably 14.4V).
>
> Of course I will try cleaning battery connections (Optima red top battery,
> some years old).
>
> Anything else I could check?
>
> regards
> Odd-Inge Larsen
> North Norway
>