beatupjeep
03-20-2015, 11:27 AM
'89 XJ (renix, 4.0)
Ive had my alternator die while out wheeling and since I wasnt regularly checking the voltmeter the only notice was the engine coming to a halt when the battery finally discharged to the point where injectors and spark couldnt work anymore.
IIRC, there was no warning light for the alternator.
And even if it was, depending on how distracted you are while off roading, you might not notice a light through the ancient dingy, dusty instrument cluster.
And even if you are checking the voltmeter every 15 minutes, that could be the difference between passing the point of no return in your trip or being able to coast out.
And still, the voltmeter on this era jeep is pretty unreliable as far as accuracy anyway, The difference between charging ok and not charging is pretty slight I bet.
So what I am asking is, is it true there is basically no immediate and attention getting alert that your battery is not being charged and you will be dead in the water in a matter of minutes, on these older XJ's?
Ive had my alternator die while out wheeling and since I wasnt regularly checking the voltmeter the only notice was the engine coming to a halt when the battery finally discharged to the point where injectors and spark couldnt work anymore.
IIRC, there was no warning light for the alternator.
And even if it was, depending on how distracted you are while off roading, you might not notice a light through the ancient dingy, dusty instrument cluster.
And even if you are checking the voltmeter every 15 minutes, that could be the difference between passing the point of no return in your trip or being able to coast out.
And still, the voltmeter on this era jeep is pretty unreliable as far as accuracy anyway, The difference between charging ok and not charging is pretty slight I bet.
So what I am asking is, is it true there is basically no immediate and attention getting alert that your battery is not being charged and you will be dead in the water in a matter of minutes, on these older XJ's?