Black98transam
New Member
02 liberty 3.7
Other day my wife was driving and the battery light came on. Did not come on again for several days. While driving home one night the interior lights dimmed, headlights, taillights, etc all eventually shut off. Wife got home and jeep sat for a few days for christmas.
I drive the vehicle 20 miles yesterday no issues. Stop at advanced and have battery and alternator tested both pass but battery was said to be towards the end of it's life. As I am driving the battery light comes on halfway home. I get home check a few things and go to start the car. Will not start due to dead battery. Take battery to be tested and it tests fine take it home to charge. Remove alternator to have it tested and it tests fine. Come back reinstall it, clean connections (they were pretty good to begin with) check a couple grounds (all good) look for any bad wires (can't find any). Put the battery back in and go drive the radio, lights, heat on and everything is working. Drive for about 45 minutes and no issues. Park in my driveway and leave it running for an hour and no issue.
I'm not thinking I fixed my issue at all. I'm guessing the battery currently has enough juice (charged to about 70%) to run everything and that is why I have not had any issues.
I think it's the alternator that is the problem. I have done some research and have seen it suggested that the alternator can not be properly tested by auto parts stores is that correct?
If I get the battery light on and take to an auto part store to have it tested would they be able to give me an accurate reading on if the alternator is bad?
Could the battery temp sensor be causing this?
Could a gunky connection or lose ground cause this and I magically fixed it by cleaning it up?
Is it likely it's the PCM causing this?
Other day my wife was driving and the battery light came on. Did not come on again for several days. While driving home one night the interior lights dimmed, headlights, taillights, etc all eventually shut off. Wife got home and jeep sat for a few days for christmas.
I drive the vehicle 20 miles yesterday no issues. Stop at advanced and have battery and alternator tested both pass but battery was said to be towards the end of it's life. As I am driving the battery light comes on halfway home. I get home check a few things and go to start the car. Will not start due to dead battery. Take battery to be tested and it tests fine take it home to charge. Remove alternator to have it tested and it tests fine. Come back reinstall it, clean connections (they were pretty good to begin with) check a couple grounds (all good) look for any bad wires (can't find any). Put the battery back in and go drive the radio, lights, heat on and everything is working. Drive for about 45 minutes and no issues. Park in my driveway and leave it running for an hour and no issue.
I'm not thinking I fixed my issue at all. I'm guessing the battery currently has enough juice (charged to about 70%) to run everything and that is why I have not had any issues.
I think it's the alternator that is the problem. I have done some research and have seen it suggested that the alternator can not be properly tested by auto parts stores is that correct?
If I get the battery light on and take to an auto part store to have it tested would they be able to give me an accurate reading on if the alternator is bad?
Could the battery temp sensor be causing this?
Could a gunky connection or lose ground cause this and I magically fixed it by cleaning it up?
Is it likely it's the PCM causing this?
