Ext. volt reg, PCM, gauge, gage light
11-27-2017, 07:51 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: West Florida
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: I6 - 4.0
Ext. volt reg, PCM, gauge, gage light
1998 GC 4.0 w/auto
Last year the charge voltage was 13.9 so the battery trended low. I concluded that PCM was failing - and so said my Chrysler Mechanic friend.
He offered to program a new one and send it to me but it was several hundred dollars and I only paid $248. for the entire Jeep. <g>
More recently installed a 8313 (alternatorparts.com) external voltage regulator kit w/ the PCM module - to trick the PCM into thinking it's still connected to the alternator. And a new high-end battery. Ran some new grounds and basically 'tidied up the area'.
So the charge voltage is now 14.5 to 14.9 (it's a four-digit-display meter so the reading bounces around a bit)
Sometimes the amp-meter on the dash pegs to the high side (even while the charge voltage at the battery terminals remains correct) and the red Check Gages light comes on.
Is the Check Gages light Only in response to the apparently haywire amp guage? What exactly triggers the Check Gages light to come on?
Obviously the charge voltage is not high - so what else triggers the amp gauge on the dash to put the needle all the way over to the highest position?
I was more or less thinking to ignore it until something actually smokes and so indicates the problem-area - but then I thought to ask you guys how it all works in detail and also what you suggest.
Last year the charge voltage was 13.9 so the battery trended low. I concluded that PCM was failing - and so said my Chrysler Mechanic friend.
He offered to program a new one and send it to me but it was several hundred dollars and I only paid $248. for the entire Jeep. <g>
More recently installed a 8313 (alternatorparts.com) external voltage regulator kit w/ the PCM module - to trick the PCM into thinking it's still connected to the alternator. And a new high-end battery. Ran some new grounds and basically 'tidied up the area'.
So the charge voltage is now 14.5 to 14.9 (it's a four-digit-display meter so the reading bounces around a bit)
Sometimes the amp-meter on the dash pegs to the high side (even while the charge voltage at the battery terminals remains correct) and the red Check Gages light comes on.
Is the Check Gages light Only in response to the apparently haywire amp guage? What exactly triggers the Check Gages light to come on?
Obviously the charge voltage is not high - so what else triggers the amp gauge on the dash to put the needle all the way over to the highest position?
I was more or less thinking to ignore it until something actually smokes and so indicates the problem-area - but then I thought to ask you guys how it all works in detail and also what you suggest.
