Charging problems

[Mikel2]

Hello all,
My battery doesn't seem to charge completely. A lot of times the truck won't start, but when it does, it starts very strong (so the starter seems to be OK). When I start it, the Amp gage goes all the way up for a couple seconds and then back to zero. It won't start when I've been running with my headlights or AC on. I thought the alternator belt might be loose, so I tightened it, but it keeps doing it. Any ideas?
Thanks.
Mikel

[MK10000]

You most likely need a new altenator if you are running alot of auxilary lights.

[MK10000]

laughing at my last post smile.gif

Lights? who said anything about lights? Well I have been thinking of adding some to mine. New alternator on my mind.

But hey......... It could be the alternator.

smile.gif

[andy d]

gotta voltmeter? check voltage at the battery terminals. with the engine running,it should read 13-14 volts dc. if it is then the alternator is fine. how old is the battery? get it load tested. my latest alt adventure happened just as i sat down to watch the latest south park. the phone rang. it was the bride calling from the xmas tree shop,telling me the jeep wouldnt start. i jump started it and got it home. the thing was only putting out 8vdc. a rebuilt was 91$, i had a replacement regulator i had picked up onna whim from a rebuilder for 5$. once the alt was out,i spent an hour replacing the reg.reinstalled it and voila,13.7 volts. smile.gif made my night

[Snakeyes_Tx]

I've got the exact same problem.. I would start with new battery cables. New + to solenid, the + from solenid to starter, AND the ground cable. Also, add a ground strap from the negative battery post to the inner fenderwell.

If this doesn't solve my problem I'm changing alternators. I run A/C, Headlights, and my radio with amp, and I had to raise the idle to keep the Ammeter somewhat happy ad idle in gear at a stoplight. SO I'm running at like 1400 rpm in Park now, and when I'm driving, my headlights flicker a little.

[ibnfe]

Solved my low charge, lights flickering at idle problem with a new 105 amp AC Delco alternator. No more low charge, no more flicker, and I run 3 sets of offroad lights as well. If you do this, you have to modify the lower alt pivot bracket. Nothin' major if you can weld, bad if you can't.

[Mikel2]

Thank you all. If the voltage across the battery (engine running) is over 13V, that would mean that the alternator itself is fine, right? The battery is only one year old, but it's been flat a couple times... I guess it's time to have it checked... :(
Thanks again.
Mikel

[tuckers89GW]

does it matter whether youve been driving your jeep for awhile? My alternator will charge great until it gets warmed up(5-10 mins) then it will slowly start to drop its charging rate. it gets down to 13v with air running. If I try to run the air it then drops below and acceptable level. So until I get it off and load tested, I'm driving the racer.