54bobby Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 guys, my alternator is only charging at 11.5 volts and causing a dead battery issue. I am going to replace it. my question here is, the truck has air-conditioning so do I have to remove that to do the job or can I squeeze it out with out taking off the compressor? any other tips will also be appreciated. this alternator isn't very old and put on by the po. I do know that they can be bad right out of the box but is there anything else that would cause this undercharging issue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nitroxsteve Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 On my 88 4.0 I removed and replaced the alternator from the bottom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yxmj Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 You can do it from the bottom. Just my 2 cents but around here a set of brushes is only worth $8......if the alternator is newer like you say they are easy to replace. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
54bobby Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 don't know anything about the internal workings. would that be the problem?? or could it be something else? it is a newer alternator, and is only charging at 11.5 volts. would that be the brushes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 What year and engine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
54bobby Posted July 31, 2013 Author Share Posted July 31, 2013 What year and engine? 87 2.5 with air-conditioning. it just looks like it's going to be real tight from top or bottom if I don't pull the ac which I really don't want to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yxmj Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 Take off your fan shroud. You should have more than enough room. As for changing the brushes just Google it the are a couple of real good write ups on Cherokee sites....step by step with pictures...that show you. Easy and no special tools needed. :thumbsup: Just as a secondary question.....how are you measuring the 11.5 volts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 If it's an 87 the alt is internally regulated, so the regulator unit could be bad. It can be changed as well as the brushes. Also, have you had your battery load tested? Maybe it has a bad cell and won't take a full charge. Make sure all your mains cables are tight and clean too. Measure the charging voltage across the battery terminals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comanchemodder Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 What year and engine? 87 2.5 with air-conditioning. it just looks like it's going to be real tight from top or bottom if I don't pull the ac which I really don't want to do. Do you mind posting a picture of you engine. I would like to see the layout of the accessories and belt. Mine is some Frankenstein from a previous owner and trying to calibrate myself on what is normal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
54bobby Posted August 1, 2013 Author Share Posted August 1, 2013 will get you this pic up tomorrow. What year and engine? 87 2.5 with air-conditioning. it just looks like it's going to be real tight from top or bottom if I don't pull the ac which I really don't want to do. Do you mind posting a picture of you engine. I would like to see the layout of the accessories and belt. Mine is some Frankenstein from a previous owner and trying to calibrate myself on what is normal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
54bobby Posted August 1, 2013 Author Share Posted August 1, 2013 had the battery tested while the truck was running by the parts store. the tester read 11.5 and the guy said it should read around 15 while running. the battery is good as this happened before and I had it checked out. If it's an 87 the alt is internally regulated, so the regulator unit could be bad. It can be changed as well as the brushes. Also, have you had your battery load tested? Maybe it has a bad cell and won't take a full charge. Make sure all your mains cables are tight and clean too. Measure the charging voltage across the battery terminals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 had the battery tested while the truck was running by the parts store. the tester read 11.5 and the guy said it should read around 15 while running. the battery is good as this happened before and I had it checked out. If it's an 87 the alt is internally regulated, so the regulator unit could be bad. It can be changed as well as the brushes. Also, have you had your battery load tested? Maybe it has a bad cell and won't take a full charge. Make sure all your mains cables are tight and clean too. Measure the charging voltage across the battery terminals. Okay, definitely sounds like a bad alt then. Next step is to pull it off and get it rebuilt or replace it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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