I have 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The car would not start so I jump started it. It worked for three days than the same thing happened so i jumped it again. (I Have done this 3 times so far). I hear the starter click when I turn the key, so im pretty sure that its not a bad starter. The battery is only 3 months old. I think it is an alternator problem. I don't want to replace the alt and then find out it wasnt the problem. How can I make sure? I would apreciate any information you can offer me.Thanks
2007-06-14 08:53:28 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Naw, I think it's the battery. The guy that used to live next door bought a brand-new battery and was sure it was his starter. He even took it off and then tested it with my car's battery. They forgot to add battery acid in his new battery.
The battery light or voltage meter of your jeep should be on. Check the fluid level of the battery. If it's the alt. modern cars can't run very far without an alt as there's so much stuff that drains the battery.
With the car off, it should be around 12 volts, running 13 or a little higher. If it's 10 volts, the battery has a bad cell.
An old test is to run the car without a battery or alt. This was possible on older cars and as you seem to be running for a couple of days between charging, this may work.
Start your car and remove the neg. cable. If it dies immediately, it's the alt. If it continues to run, it's the battery.
2007-06-14 09:10:22 · answer #1 · answered by rann_georgia 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would venture to say your battery is bad even though it's 3 months old, if the car ran for 3 days I think your alternator is ok but the battery is discharging for some reason, take it to autozone for a free charging system check and find out for sure what the problem is.
2007-06-14 14:23:34 · answer #2 · answered by mister ss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't take it to a parts store, take it to a auto shop, and have a real mechanic do a test.
These auto parts guys rely on a computer for answers
a mechanic knows the procedure, and the proper way to fix.
or
If you jump the jeep again, and disconnect the battery terminal and the truck dies the alt is bad. If it stays running, I'd say it is the starter or the starter cylinoid. < ----- spell check
2007-06-14 09:08:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
pretty much all auto stores will test the alternator for you
but if you wanna check for yourself.... you can start the vehicle and pull off the positive battery cable and if the vehicle stalls its a good bet the alternator is bad.....that shows that the car is running of the battery and not the alternator
also you can start the car and with a long screwdriver carefully stick the tip of the screwdriver against the very center of the back of the alternator if you can get to it...if the screwdriver magnatizes itself to it then it is charging and probably not bad , if it doesnt then its not charging........
ok now for a disclaimer........these tests are not 100% accurate but they do give a clue as to whether it maybe bad or not
can also ...if you have one....put a volt meter on the battery and check the volts , now start the car and check the meter again if it drops alot and doesnt come back up to above 12 volts while running thats a sign the alternator is bad
B.
2007-06-14 09:08:02 · answer #4 · answered by ivan dog 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take your truck by Auto Zone. They will check the alternator for the amps and the battery on the volts. If the alternator is not putting out the amps, your drawing more on the battery, reducing its life, and eventually the battery will be dead. Check the alternator first before you go back to the service center, so as you have the information before you walk in. By the way, there is no charge for the testing at Auto Zone.
2016-05-20 04:02:43 · answer #5 · answered by mavis 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remove battery terminals. Clean them. Test battery. Reinstall terminals. Most of the time this fixes the problem as dirty or loose battery terminals will cause what you describe.
Also check alternator belt for tightness.
2007-06-14 08:58:42 · answer #6 · answered by K R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have an Advance Auto Parts, or Autozone parts store in your town, you can have the charging system checked for free. They'll wheel out a cart, and test the system.
2007-06-14 08:56:31 · answer #7 · answered by Galaxie500XL 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
faulty earth would drain the battery like that but also the battery could be at fault too. take it back to where you got it and have it tested. after that the alternator would need to be rewound especially after the car needed a new batt the old one could have worn out the alternator
2007-06-14 09:01:41 · answer #8 · answered by m4d_mike 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can take it to Autozone and have them ckeck the battery and the alternator. If you have a multimeter, you can check the battery voltage with the engine off and with it running.
Off = 12.0V
On = 13.6V
Good luck
2007-06-14 08:58:19 · answer #9 · answered by Fordman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
have the battery checked if it lasted two days it may not be the alternator maybe a voltage regulator
2007-06-14 09:02:05 · answer #10 · answered by Steven C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋