Jeep Cherokee XJ Alternator Replacement

Cherokee XJ

The alternator is located very low on the engine and is susceptible to damage from mud and water during off road conditions.

Usually the first indication of an alternator failure will be the check engine light. To replace the alternator:

1. Remove the battery and battery tray.
2. Remove the air box and loosen the bolts on the power steering pump to loosen the belt.
3. Working from under the Jeep, remove the main power wire from the alternator. Next remove the control wires.
5. Now, working from the top, remove the upper and lower mounting bolts.
6. Note the stamped steel stiffener on the front of the engine that the alternator bolts to. Loosen but do not remove the bolt next to the alternator bracket. This will help get space to reinstall the new alternator.
7. To get the alternator out of the engine bay, you will likely have to raise the engine slightly.
8. You may also have the slightly bend the AC lines if they interfere with removal of the alternator.
9. Install the new alternator in place.
10. Lower the engine back into place and reinstall the mounting bolts.
11. Tighten the bolt beside the mounting bolt if you loosened it earlier.
12. Replace the control wiring harness.
13. Replace the main wire. And reposition the cover.
14. Tighten the belt.
15. Tighten the power steering bolts and replace the air box.
17. Reinstall the battery tray and reconnect the battery and give it a test run. Note that if you allowed the battery to discharge before you replaced the alternator, it is a good idea to charge the battery from a different source before installing a new alternator.

The new alternator can be permanently damaged by placing a high charging load on it at its initial startup.

By Mike Strawbridge

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