another dead battery

[bmj2008]

wow does that make you feel like a REAL MAN! trying to demean anyone cuz it seems to me like you have youre own insecurities. plus do you really think a multi million dollar corp would not realize that most cars now run off the pcm? any low level (real) technician would know that!

 

[tjkj2002]

wow does that make you feel like a REAL MAN! trying to demean anyone cuz it seems to me like you have youre own insecurities. plus do you really think a multi million dollar corp would not realize that most cars now run off the pcm? any low level (real) technician would know that!

Then why did you say you could test the KJ's alternator at autozone when you yourself know that it can't be? A real technician would know that.

 

[bmj2008]

it can be ive pulled mine off and tested it myself! i have an 04

 

[tjkj2002]

it can be ive pulled mine off and tested it myself! i have an 04

You've tested(incorrectly) 1 part of the system,you can get a bad alternator to read good on those machines.I've seen it many times.Many times(lost count after 100 or so) poeple come right from autozone(just 1 block away) and stated they had there alternator or battery tested and need there alternator/battery retested/replaced,so we run the diag and it ends up being something completely different(like said PCM or a relay/bad wire).Not once have I seen any so called diag's from a place like autozone be correct.They just want to to keep spending money on parts that they are to willing to sell you that you do not need.That goes for all those places.

 

[bmj2008]

and like i said maybe in your region but do not make general asumptions about then entire company! a volt meter will resolve that! plus all of my readings have been correct on new jeeps and mercedes which fabricated the kj

 

[newbieKJ]

(somewhat on topic)

What would cause my headlights to dim when I operate the windows?

I have an 04, bone stock, but I did just replace the battery because it was starting to turn over a bit slow. The new batt fixed that right away, but the dimming lights are still there.

 

[BluPhant]

Unrolling the windows uses a good # of amps, only so many to go around. Probably normal, I think I've seen this on every vehicle I've owned w/ power windows. Someone could probably provide a more technicaler explanation, but thats the net.

 

[newbieKJ]

Unrolling the windows uses a good # of amps, only so many to go around. Probably normal, I think I've seen this on every vehicle I've owned w/ power windows. Someone could probably provide a more technicaler explanation, but thats the net.

I have seen it in other vehicles as well, but not this severe. I would say they dim to about 70-75% of their normal brightness (very noticeable).

 

[Ry' N Jen]

We just had to replace the factory battery (from 2004)
Treated the KJ to a 34/78 Optima Red Top battery. A little pricey at $223.00 but you get what you pay for.

Cheers
Ryan

 

[belvedere]

Sorry, but I doubt the alternator on a KJ is much different than any other alternator. So the regulator is built into the computer...Chrysler was doing this in the 80's. The quote from the FSM says you need a scan tool to properly diagnose the charging system, which probably has some merit, but I just don't think the alt itelf is as ****-bang high-tech as some people want to make it out to be. Also, though the reg is internal to the computer, and takes an input from a temp sensor, remember, it performs the same function as any other reg: it controls the field circuit of the alt to determine the current output. Nothing more. Bottom line: anyone who has the know-how to properly diagnose a charging problem can certainly apply that knowledge to the charging system on a KJ. It's not rocket science!

 

[LibertyTC]

Battery Charging when at home..

Seems lots of talk about replacing batteries prematurely.
I use 800CCA Blue Star Platinum (Indy race car) batteries both in my cars/boat, and generally get about 7 plus years on them. The secret to long life in your batteries is keeping them topped up a couple of time a month, by a decent charger, especially if you are doing 15minute trips. I have noticed in the KJ with all the lights that like to stay on for a while before they shut off, that the batteries are not always fully charged, even if new.
Also even after running the vehicle for a while, it may not be fully charged. There is no substitution for a 10 amp charger on the batteries for a few hours every month..bit more if it gets cold (below zero) charging them = longer life, and less your alternator has to work to keep em up.