dan10101

We went out the other day and did a fun trail in Southern Oregon, A couple of water/mud crossings stopped my alternator from working. Then after charging the battery several times to get off the mountain we were while driving home, it just started working again. Should I take it apart and clean it? What would cause this?

Oh, you guys might enjoy the video.

PatHenry

It sounds like you got water into the alternator and once it dried out it was ok. I mean, if you're comfortable cleaning it up, you can go ahead and make sure there's no dirt and grime gumming things up. However, the real question is what let the water get in and mess it up. Is the alternator case cracked or is there some failed seal, or were you slogging through water so deep that the alternator was submerged?

It may be the case that the low mounting point of the alternator is a problem for you. Even a perfect alternator is not something I'd be very comfortable sitting in water high enough to reach it and the mounting location is pretty low on the XJ. I'm theorizing, but it might be possible and worthwhile if there's a good way to relocate the alternator (maybe something that moves it to a deleted A/C compressor which is higher) if you're fording deep water regularly.

dan10101

I'll have to take another look at it, I thought Alternators were vented and always subject to water getting in. If it's supposed to be sealed, then that would be the issue I'm sure. Moving it higher, would be an option, but I was hoping to reinstall the AC at some point.

PatHenry

I mean, definitely go through all the connections and wiring and make sure it isn't something else shorting out and draining the battery, check the battery, etc.

People have been wheeling XJ's for a long time and they all have the low mount for the alternator as far as I know, so there's got to be some number of solutions for serious water fording. Maybe check with the guys on the modified XJ section as they may have more familiarity with this... I've never had an issue with my stock XJ, but some puddles and light off roading is all I've done.

boxburn

Except for us export XJ's with our high alternators and automatic belt tensioners

dan10101

PatHenry - I'll look into that and ask the mud boggers what they do. I need to move my air cleaner up high before I do too much swimming.

BoxBurn - You guys have all the good stuff! well, except for guns, you don't have guns...

dan10101

I thought I would close this out. A couple days later the Alternator quick working again.

So I replaced it with my spare. All good again.

Later I tore it down. Turns out one of the brushes was stuck from mud. I cleaned everything up real good and I'm sure it's fine. One of these days I'll swap it out again to make sure it works. Just need one of those days when I really bored. Like that is going to happen any time soon.

BlueRidgeMark

Hit it with some CRC Electronics Cleaner. They aren't made to be submerged in mud.