I have a 1997 with about 120k miles.
First ---- The other day, my wife and I were in stop-n-go traffic and it died --- right out the blue. It has never done this before. Second, about two times in the past week --- it cranked very poorly, but has generally started on the second try. Most of the time, however, it has done fine. Again, we have not had these problems in a long time. Third, we had starting problems about 1 year ago. I cleaned the battery terminals, which were very corroded, and everything was back to normal --- until recently.
Given that evidence, I opened the hood to take a look at the battery cables and saw very corroded terminals. I have some pics, but I don't know how to upload them.
I took the battery completely out, and cleaned everything as well as I could. I put it all back together and could not start it. I jumped it --- let it run --- but it would not start again after shutting it off.
I took it to O'Reilly Automotive. They could not check the battery because I could not turn off the Jeep, but they checked the alternator and told me it was bad. I don't have a clue about the test they used.
Now --- it is as dead as a doornail in my driveway.
I have a few of questions.
Do these symptoms sound like alternator failure?
Did I ruin the alternator by using water to hose out the battery tray? I tried not to get it very wet, but some water did get on it.
Does everyone's Jeep batteries corrode like crazy? If not, what is wrong with mine? I wish I knew how to post pics. The corrosion was awful.
Why did it stop running after I took everything apart and put it back together? What did I do wrong? I felt like I was being responsible and proactive, but now I feel like I should have left well enough alone.
A long time ago, I had alternator problems in an old car that I had. I removed the alternator and changed the bushings inside the alternator. Is that an option with my 97 XJ? I mentioned it at O-Reilly and they looked puzzled.
Final question --- O'Reilly wants about $120 for an alternator and a $70 core charge. Is that reasonable?
Sorry for the long post. I am going to spend my evening searching for posts on alternator replacement.
Thanks in advance for insight. Take care.
First ---- The other day, my wife and I were in stop-n-go traffic and it died --- right out the blue. It has never done this before. Second, about two times in the past week --- it cranked very poorly, but has generally started on the second try. Most of the time, however, it has done fine. Again, we have not had these problems in a long time. Third, we had starting problems about 1 year ago. I cleaned the battery terminals, which were very corroded, and everything was back to normal --- until recently.
Given that evidence, I opened the hood to take a look at the battery cables and saw very corroded terminals. I have some pics, but I don't know how to upload them.
I took the battery completely out, and cleaned everything as well as I could. I put it all back together and could not start it. I jumped it --- let it run --- but it would not start again after shutting it off.
I took it to O'Reilly Automotive. They could not check the battery because I could not turn off the Jeep, but they checked the alternator and told me it was bad. I don't have a clue about the test they used.
Now --- it is as dead as a doornail in my driveway.
I have a few of questions.
Do these symptoms sound like alternator failure?
Did I ruin the alternator by using water to hose out the battery tray? I tried not to get it very wet, but some water did get on it.
Does everyone's Jeep batteries corrode like crazy? If not, what is wrong with mine? I wish I knew how to post pics. The corrosion was awful.
Why did it stop running after I took everything apart and put it back together? What did I do wrong? I felt like I was being responsible and proactive, but now I feel like I should have left well enough alone.
A long time ago, I had alternator problems in an old car that I had. I removed the alternator and changed the bushings inside the alternator. Is that an option with my 97 XJ? I mentioned it at O-Reilly and they looked puzzled.
Final question --- O'Reilly wants about $120 for an alternator and a $70 core charge. Is that reasonable?
Sorry for the long post. I am going to spend my evening searching for posts on alternator replacement.
Thanks in advance for insight. Take care.