'99 XJ Cherokee. Have had it two months, everything I wanted for a DD. But yesterday I noticed "check engine light", scanned instruments, volt meter shows "0". Hmmm. Everything sounds OK, accessories function, I just go straight home. Try the starter, starts right up. Check under the hood, serpentine belt in place. I intend to start checking fuses today. I can't understand why volt meter would show 0 , as the battery obviously had plenty of juice. Suggestions, please.
Is the altenator charging? 13.5 volts or so across the battery with a running engine.
I have not checked anything yet, but will do so soon. Should show ~14 volts under charge, 12.5 with no alternator.
Check engine light or battery/alternator light ?
Find out the code on the CEL, continue from there. The voltmeter could be glitchy, sometimes I tap the top of my dash to get things working again on my 92s cluster.
How do I get the code?
It's obd2, take it to any parts store and have them plug in.
Does the voltmeter work?
You could try checking the voltage at the battery with a multimeter and see what it says. Do it while it's running to get an idea of what the alternator is doing.
I'd probably just live with it, if it's still charging and the dummy light still works.
Went out with my trusty $6.00 VOM. Engine started right up, but now voltmeter in dash showed low. My VOM read 12.4 when running, 12.4 when shut off. Guess the alternator is the villain here. Off to Rock Auto.
Oh, probably one of those idiot gauges then.
Keerful about throwing an alternator at it, some of those had the voltage regulator integrated in the PCM. Yeah, stupid.
There's a aftermarket kit to convert it to a external regulator but it leaves the CEL on. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JitAfEopoM4
Also, the instrument panel connector is known to corrode and cause weirdness.
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