Haven’t ran a diagnostic, but runs just fine. Noticed on the way home that the “check gauges” light came on and the battery read all the way to the left. Had zero problem starting or while in idle. And suggestions?
Check gauges
- Thread starter FatherFigure90
- Start date
Bofa-Deez
TJ Enthusiast
Alternator gone bad? How long have you been running it with that light and gauge reading?
Eh, scratch that. Just looked at the pic again and I'm sure it wouldn't start at 9 volts. I haven't really delved into the electrical system yet, but possibly a broken or shorted wire to the gauge cluster? Someone else will help, I'm sure.
Eh, scratch that. Just looked at the pic again and I'm sure it wouldn't start at 9 volts. I haven't really delved into the electrical system yet, but possibly a broken or shorted wire to the gauge cluster? Someone else will help, I'm sure.
Bofa-Deez
TJ Enthusiast
Bofa-Deez
TJ Enthusiast
Grab a multimeter and check the battery voltage when the engine is running. If it's 13.4+, then your alternator is charging and you're probably looking at a short going to the gauge cluster.
Update: Started it up this morning. Battery shot up out of the red zone and light was off. Going to get alternator and battery checked, but wouldn’t the battery have been drained this morning?
Bofa-Deez
TJ Enthusiast
Yes, unless you charged it overnight. At this point, I would confirm voltage at battery terminals like @bromel said, just to be sure. Then check for good connections to the battery. Then check for damaged wires going to the cluster. In my experience, when the alternator goes, it goes for good. And if it started fine this morning, you werent draining your battery to the indicated gauge reading in your pic.
Just got it tested... alternator is running sub 13 volts. 12.1 to be exact. But would this really lead to showing such a low reading on the battery??
89grand
TJ Addict
If it's below a certain threshold, maybe the gauge just reads nothing. If my gas light comes on while I'm driving the Jeep, then I stop, restart it again, the gas gauge just reads completely empty, even though it isn't.
89grand
TJ Addict
Just another thought, if the alternator is only putting out 12.1 volts (and who hows how little amperage, and the battery is at a higher voltage, it won't charge at all, since it's less. Maybe the guage is showing that the alternator isn't doing anything.
Bofa-Deez
TJ Enthusiast
Aviatortroy
TJ Enthusiast
it is reading total volts in the system, so..
Key on, engine off=battery voltage.
Engine running= Alternator output
Severely low voltage with engine running is indicative of a bad alternator and the battery has been run down.
12.1volts is not enough, I vote bad alternator
Key on, engine off=battery voltage.
Engine running= Alternator output
Severely low voltage with engine running is indicative of a bad alternator and the battery has been run down.
12.1volts is not enough, I vote bad alternator
After replacing the alt, everything is good to go. Jeep was running off pure battery. However, gauge cluster was good, circuit was good. Tightening that serpentine belt was the biggest pain in the ass 
lol thanks again squad!
lol thanks again squad!
Bofa-Deez
TJ Enthusiast
Thanks for letting us know the outcome. So many times I search (mostly other forums) for issues and the OP never comes back and gives the solution to the problem. That's why I stick around here.
I know I learned something new in this thread
I know I learned something new in this thread
When this forum is a collective learning experience... It increases the value for all of us.
When you learn... We learn.
as these vehicles get older more things will happen and more quirky things will show up... Members that report back with solutions help everyone.
When you learn... We learn.
as these vehicles get older more things will happen and more quirky things will show up... Members that report back with solutions help everyone.
welp, gauge came back on. Got the alternator tested and it failed... I’d suggest getting it tested BEFORE bustin your knuckles putting it into the Jeep. Faulty part, replacing again later today. 
Work smarter, not harder is the lesson learned today.
Work smarter, not harder is the lesson learned today.Similar threads
