Hey everyone! Lucky for me right as the other battery related thread was going on I was getting the 'ole famous voltage drop:
I did the proper thing, took apart the battery terminals & cleaned them up real good. Started driving again, same issue (Issue appears immediately if the heat is on to any degree). Took the vehicle to Autozone and had them test the battery, everything checked out. They didn't have a tool to test the alternator (Really no meter?), so I will put a meter on it today to be sure (Be sure its the alternator and not the voltage regular in the PCM), but I know I have a project ahead of me. Thus let me begin this discussion:
Also, as you can tell there are a lot of uncertainties I have with the direction I go. If there is any misinformation in here or I did not reference something correctly let me know. I don't think this will be the only time this would ever come up.
I did the proper thing, took apart the battery terminals & cleaned them up real good. Started driving again, same issue (Issue appears immediately if the heat is on to any degree). Took the vehicle to Autozone and had them test the battery, everything checked out. They didn't have a tool to test the alternator (Really no meter?), so I will put a meter on it today to be sure (Be sure its the alternator and not the voltage regular in the PCM), but I know I have a project ahead of me. Thus let me begin this discussion:
- I can replace the alternator with a remanufactured unit/aftermarket new unit and keep all the wiring the same (117A Alternator that came on AC equipped models). The accessories that push my system on the trail will be (in the future): Rear Locker, AC (lol), Warn 9.5CTI, & interior/exterior lights.
- At this point, would it not be the time to upgrade to another alternator? Because of my Jeep being a 97-98 model, the standard 160A Durango swap is not an option. Although the 136A option is viable. If I upgraded the alternator, I would need to upgrade the wiring to a bigger gauge (Welding cable more than likely).
- What gauge wiring do I upgrade the TJ to? What do I do about the fusible link? Do I just go with a big fuse in place of the fusible link?
- If I go with a stock replacement 117A alternator, It seems very hard to find one that isn't OMIX. Not even Autozone carries the 117A.
Also, as you can tell there are a lot of uncertainties I have with the direction I go. If there is any misinformation in here or I did not reference something correctly let me know. I don't think this will be the only time this would ever come up.
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