I apologize for the block of text, this is my story:
Drove home from WV to NJ, thought the alternator might be going out so I bought a spare for the trip. The GEN light was on and the voltage would be between 12 and 14, sometimes revving high would raise the voltage enough to get it to stay towards the 14 mark, once it was at that mark on the highway it wouldn't move. Driving on back roads with changes in rpm/gears, towards the end of the trip, never went above 12 again.
Several hours later we changed the alternator, GEN light still on and voltage went up after letting the Jeep idle for a bit, but then upon driving voltage dropped back down to 12. Drove it a bit more and eventually the guages dimmed and started failing so I pulled over. Then replaced the battery to get it home. Took a meter to the battery and it was at 12.7 with the engine off. The alternator was putting out 11.4 at idle.
I was then going to rev the engine to see if it got higher and my friend was reconnecting the multimeter to the alternator when something sparked and the Jeep died. Now the Jeep won't turn over at all. No fuses in the engine bay were apparently blown. I've heard to check grounds but I don't know where/how/what to check for? Starter is engaging and it sounds like it wants to turn over it just won't finish. Check engine light is on and I'll post the code later. When turning the key to the on position the lights do come on and everything seems normal.
Drove home from WV to NJ, thought the alternator might be going out so I bought a spare for the trip. The GEN light was on and the voltage would be between 12 and 14, sometimes revving high would raise the voltage enough to get it to stay towards the 14 mark, once it was at that mark on the highway it wouldn't move. Driving on back roads with changes in rpm/gears, towards the end of the trip, never went above 12 again.
Several hours later we changed the alternator, GEN light still on and voltage went up after letting the Jeep idle for a bit, but then upon driving voltage dropped back down to 12. Drove it a bit more and eventually the guages dimmed and started failing so I pulled over. Then replaced the battery to get it home. Took a meter to the battery and it was at 12.7 with the engine off. The alternator was putting out 11.4 at idle.
I was then going to rev the engine to see if it got higher and my friend was reconnecting the multimeter to the alternator when something sparked and the Jeep died. Now the Jeep won't turn over at all. No fuses in the engine bay were apparently blown. I've heard to check grounds but I don't know where/how/what to check for? Starter is engaging and it sounds like it wants to turn over it just won't finish. Check engine light is on and I'll post the code later. When turning the key to the on position the lights do come on and everything seems normal.