1995 Jeep Wrangler Alternator not charging battery

Tiny
MARKH13
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 JEEP WRANGLER
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 126,000 MILES
Long story as short as possible. Jeep sat too long over the winter and had a dead battery. Jumped it off and it cranked almost immediately, let it idle for a few minutes then drove it the U-Wash to get the dust off. Left it running while there then drove it around for a little while (about 30 mins.) Then the dreaded lights dimming and stereo fading. Tried to get it home but battery was too weak and it died. Wife came and jumped me off, had no lights and it died 2 more times on the way home (about 2 miles) and had to be jumped. Obviously battery was dead so I replaced it. Checked voltage at the battery and it was slowly dropping. Assumed alternator got burnt up so I replaced it. Still not charging. Pulled it back off and had 2 places test it, said it was good. All cables look good, grounds look good and clean, fuses all are good (under hood and dash), connections are tight, belt is tensioned properly. My extremely limited electrical knowledge doesn't help but I can read a millimeter. Also, cranked it after putting the alternator back on and the alternator was hot to the touch after just a few minutes at idle. What the heck am I missing?
Sunday, July 13th, 2014 AT 11:12 AM

2 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC II
  • MEMBER
  • 222 POSTS
CHECK FUSES AND FUSIBLE LINKS

THE MEDIC
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Sunday, July 13th, 2014 AT 6:47 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Do this simple test and let me know what you find.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

If the ALT is good, you need to check the wiring connector at the PCM. Voltage from the alt is regulated via the PCM based on battery power, temp... If you all wiring is good and connections are clean and tight, you may have a bad PCM.

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Sunday, July 13th, 2014 AT 9:21 PM

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