Its negative fourteen here in Idaho and someones car had a dead
battery, so being the good guy that I am I jumped the car. Connected
the terminals the best I know how....His red to my red battery post and
my frame to his frame...is that right?
Anyways the first time I tried my engine cut out right away and died.
Second time same thing, moved the negative cable on the XJ to the
battery post tried the third time and the guys camary was up and
runnin.

Howevere getting back into my car things started getting strange, at
idle voltage was 14. When I turn headlights, fan, ect voltage dips
instantly to 9 and creeps lower to the point of stalling out over a
few miles. If i turn everything off and idle again voltage slowly
creeps back up.

Knew right away I had a problem I suspected it was the
alternator...took it to checkers ran a diagnostic with a voltmeter
everything checked out okay. They told me it was the battery sixty
bucks later and the guy not allowing me to return the new battery the
thing its still not working. Same problem

So my question is, whats broken
I looked closer the second time they did the diagnosis. External
voltmeter on the battery reports in at 14.6 but inside my in the cab
says nine when at idle with headlights fan and defroster on...(what you
need to survive at -14)

can a alternator throw out 14.6 volts of nothing and im not getting any
amperage? is there a hidden regulator somewhere on the jeep that got
messed up while jumping... I just need a direction im not excited about
changing the alternator if thats not the problem.

The problem can happen with 'unknown' batteries and cables. I now pay
very close attention to what is written on the battery, screw the cable
colors!

The last time I got bit, I blew the alternator's fuse link. This is
what connects the alternator to the battery. So the alternator can have
14+ and the battery only have what's in it.

The fuse link wires are usually at the end of the main battery positive
cable where it bolts onto something. Usually the starter solenoid or
power distribution box. They have a loop connector on the bolt and
about 8" of soft rubber wire, then a fat tube crimp connector where they
hook to the harness. The replacement must be crimped in, solder will
damage the wire properties.

It is 'usually' a 14 ga fuse link protecting a 10 ga alternator circuit.

You don't say what you are driving or I could likely get more specific.

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
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NateHobbs (AT) gmail (DOT) com wrote:

Sorry Mike its a 89 Cherokee...they sure put the alternator in a funny
place on this rig i wish it was up on the top easy to get 2 like every
other car i have owned