Last night after getting gas, I went to start up my 96 XJ (Up-Country) and the guages sort of faded out and she had no juice left. So I got a jump, but it wouldnt stay running unless I kept the rpm's up - if I let off the gas it would just sputter out.
So I drove it home that way with the GEN light on the whole way and the headlights flickering. Ran pretty rough but got me home. Pulling into my garage, I let my foot off the gas and it stayed running at idle but sounded like crap.
Im figuring that I lost one of the 3 circuits in my alternator. My battery is dead, I think due to the engine using battery power to compensate for the low alt output.
Called dealer, $290 for an alternator with only a 1 year warranty. Ugh. Parts store has some for around $120-$160 (rebuilt) with a lifetime warranty. With the Up-Country package, I read somewhere that it has a "heavy duty" alternator, but I dont see anything like that on the parts pages.
Im pretty sure this indicates a failed Alt, I think I should just pull it out and get a new one. Anyone have any other ideas? If the cables were toast would I have even been able to run? Can an alternator lose one phase and still limp along, or is it more of a works or its dead situation?
- Brian
So I drove it home that way with the GEN light on the whole way and the headlights flickering. Ran pretty rough but got me home. Pulling into my garage, I let my foot off the gas and it stayed running at idle but sounded like crap.
Im figuring that I lost one of the 3 circuits in my alternator. My battery is dead, I think due to the engine using battery power to compensate for the low alt output.
Called dealer, $290 for an alternator with only a 1 year warranty. Ugh. Parts store has some for around $120-$160 (rebuilt) with a lifetime warranty. With the Up-Country package, I read somewhere that it has a "heavy duty" alternator, but I dont see anything like that on the parts pages.
Im pretty sure this indicates a failed Alt, I think I should just pull it out and get a new one. Anyone have any other ideas? If the cables were toast would I have even been able to run? Can an alternator lose one phase and still limp along, or is it more of a works or its dead situation?
- Brian
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