2000
Jeep
Grand Cherokee Limited
4.7L V8
78,400 miles

Symptoms:
1 -The headlights, interior (everything) would dim sporadically for a second or two and go back to normal.
2 - Every once in a while when it does the above the Brake/ABS lights will come on and stay on.
3 - Sometimes hard to start. It can take 2-3 cranks when it's cold but then it starts like a champ the rest of the day.
4 - The headlights and interior lighting "seem" a bit dim during all operations. My wife drove the car 99% of the time up until a few weeks ago so I have nothing to really gauge it on.
5 - Voltage gauge will sometimes drop to 9V for 10-20 sec then pop back up to 14V. The voltage drop and the lights dimming don't happen at the same time that I have seen.

What I've tried:
1 - Clean the battery terminals (no change)
2 - Installed a new battery (helped for about a day)

I'm thinking it's the alternator, but I'm hoping it's something cheaper.

Thanks in advance!

Bnut!


(This post was edited by BNUT96 on Oct 27, 2009, 11:49 AM)

BNUT; Sounds like you are headed in the right direction; I'd recommend having the battery and alternator tested while in the vehicle. A battery can be fully charged and light lights, even start the car, but still be bad. You can't accurately test an alternator unless the battery in known good.
Loren
SW WA