Our Cherokee won't start and we've determined that the alternator has failed. The car has a lot of miles on it, but runs well otherwise. My husband is fairly handy - is the alternator very difficult to replace on this vehicle? It is a 4.0 liter 4X4. Thanks!
2006-10-24 05:05:03 · 7 answers · asked by flakyfoot 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
More information: The battery is only about a year old. It is dead after the car is driven and won't start until jumper cables are attached for several minutes. Drives fine, but won't start.
2006-10-26 05:35:26 · update #1
watch out the jeep is a very hard thing to replace
2006-10-24 06:00:52 · answer #1 · answered by kennybigmoney 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jeep Cherokee Alternator
2016-11-01 22:06:52 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Typically the alternator has little to do with the car starting. Once it's started, the alternator is used to keep the battery charged and keep the car going.
How is it that you determined it was the alternator?
Here are instructions with pictures on how to replace the alternator in a Jeep Cherokee.
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/15/1b/b2/0900823d80151bb2.jsp
My recommendations are.
Do not purchase a new alternator until you have your old one tested. A car not starting is typically NOT due to the alternator. Typically once you purchase an electrical part such as the alternator, most parts places will not allow you to return it. Most parts places will test your alternator for free too, so take the alternator out and take it in for testing before purchasing a new one.
Hi flakyfoot I got your message, but your e-mail is not confirmed via yahoo so I can't e-mail you back.
If you jump the car and it runs fine, then it is NOT the alternator.
It is more than likely to be the battery. I would start there by:
1. Clean the terminals on the battery and the connectors. Use a stiff wire brush so the contacts are clean.
2. Check the fluid level inside the battery. (CAUTION THIS IS A VERY STRONG ACID). There should be two caps on the top of the battery. Open these caps carefully. Wear safety goggles or at a minimum glasses. You should be able to see fluid. DO NOT TOUCH THIS FLUID. There is usually plastic going down into where the caps were covering. There is typically a slit down the center of the plastic. The level of fluid should be where the slit begins. (It's kind of hard to explain over the web). Anyways, if it's low add Distilled drinking water, preferably drinking water with no ions added until you get to the fluid to the proper level. Yes you add water, the battery will convert the water you add into an acid solution.
Close the battery back up and reconnect, then jump start the vehicle again. Leave it running for about 15 minutes, or go out for a brief drive, but don't drive too far! AND do not turn off the engine until you have another car to jump start with.
Turn off the car and see if it start up again. If it does, then it was just a low fluid level in your battery. If it doesn't, then it's highly likely the battery is shot. You can take it to a parts store to see if they can deep cycle the battery to charge it, else you'll need a new battery, if it was purchased just a year and a half ago, you may still have a warranty on the battery and they will replace it at a minimal cost.
Good Luck.
2006-10-24 05:51:00 · answer #3 · answered by hsueh010 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
1996 Jeep Cherokee Alternator?
Our Cherokee won't start and we've determined that the alternator has failed. The car has a lot of miles on it, but runs well otherwise. My husband is fairly handy - is the alternator very difficult to replace on this vehicle? It is a 4.0 liter 4X4. Thanks!
2015-08-13 21:33:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
easy as pie 2 bolts and a good pull on the tensioner like i think 2 wires very very simple thing willl frustrate if u dont know how to move the tensioner i have a 96 too 4 liter high output love it it peels the back tires off it but u might want to check the battery cuz those parts on them cars last forever and dont die easy they made for the jungle
2006-10-24 05:10:13 · answer #5 · answered by tom p 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1
2017-03-05 06:21:01 · answer #6 · answered by Donald 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it is not very difficult at all it should have only two or three bolts.
2006-10-24 05:12:17 · answer #7 · answered by smoke 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is as simpleas the others say. but remember to disconnect the battery terminal!!!!. also, watch your fingers when you take off the belt. if your tool slips oops.
2006-10-24 05:24:01 · answer #8 · answered by barbonzo1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋