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Help! I think my alternator died!!!

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Old 04-11-2014, 06:06 PM
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I suspect the asd relay is in need of replacement.... but from the look of things she should do a complete tuneup.
Old 04-11-2014, 06:07 PM
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I've been following this thread. First off glad to hear its running. But....if this lady's observations are correct something has to be wrong. The flickering lights, burning smell, no start, suddenly starts, ect. Time will tell.

Also its great to see how helpful and patient some members are on here. I haven't commented because I didn't want to possibly stir any confusion, just let the couple people patiently helping her go at it. Good job guys and gals!
Old 04-11-2014, 09:30 PM
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Originally Posted by autosurgeon
I suspect the asd relay is in need of replacement.... but from the look of things she should do a complete tuneup.
Ok, You're a teacher, So for educational purposes give a quick description of the part and it's function for her.
Old 04-11-2014, 10:01 PM
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Here is my favorite article on the Chrysler ignition system and how the ASD relates to it. http://www.motor.com/article.asp?article_ID=428

I tend to provide sources to my students and let them learn at their own pace. One of the biggest tools in a technicians box is the ability to locate information and use it.

Further the reason I told her to check for spark is that is the correct place to start when diagnosing a no start condition. I figured she didn't have a DRB to check it via the computer so I told her how to do it with what I figured she had. Since the ASD relay controls power to the coil and swapping it caused the jeep to start there are several possibilities. One the connection in the relay center was corroded and the swap cleaned the connections enough to make things work. Two the ASD relay is on the verge of failure but the jarring caused by swapping it caused the relay to start working.

There is also another interesting twist that may be involved. I like to call it the unrelated concern effect. The alternator may actually have been bad thus causing the initial symptoms. Then the ASD which was on the verge of failure conked out at the same time. This is one of the hardest issues for a technician to deal with as they tend to have tunnel vision and get hung up on the obvious problem in this case the burning smell and weird flickering lights right before the vehicle died. So it is no wonder that folks who may not be professional technicians would have issues with it.
Old 04-11-2014, 11:32 PM
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Hey, I'm still here fellas but I took a serious nap and now it's bedtime! I will be back on here tomorrow afternoon because I really would like to know the problem so it can be solved. Otherwise I have this nagging feeling, it will come back. There I go again with feelings- that's how I winded up changing the alternator.

When she started back up, there was some squealing from the belt, do I need to tighten the tensioner a bit?
Old 04-11-2014, 11:36 PM
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Every now and then I hear the engine rumble after start. It's weird. It's happened about 3 or 4 times and sounded rough like that when she started back up earlier.
Old 04-11-2014, 11:38 PM
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Originally Posted by autosurgeon
Here is my favorite article on the Chrysler ignition system and how the ASD relates to it. http://www.motor.com/article.asp?article_ID=428 I tend to provide sources to my students and let them learn at their own pace. One of the biggest tools in a technicians box is the ability to locate information and use it. Further the reason I told her to check for spark is that is the correct place to start when diagnosing a no start condition. I figured she didn't have a DRB to check it via the computer so I told her how to do it with what I figured she had. Since the ASD relay controls power to the coil and swapping it caused the jeep to start there are several possibilities. One the connection in the relay center was corroded and the swap cleaned the connections enough to make things work. Two the ASD relay is on the verge of failure but the jarring caused by swapping it caused the relay to start working. There is also another interesting twist that may be involved. I like to call it the unrelated concern effect. The alternator may actually have been bad thus causing the initial symptoms. Then the ASD which was on the verge of failure conked out at the same time. This is one of the hardest issues for a technician to deal with as they tend to have tunnel vision and get hung up on the obvious problem in this case the burning smell and weird flickering lights right before the vehicle died. So it is no wonder that folks who may not be professional technicians would have issues with it.
Thanks Surgeon, I'm a big reader, so hopefully my reading skills will pay off. Reading now...
Old 04-11-2014, 11:53 PM
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IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ...
Read this from the article Autosurgeon posted. A few weeks ago Free helped me interpret code 12 that I came up with on a self- diagnostic-which states I need my 02 censor replaced..,
"Since the ASD Relay powers up numerous circuits, components that don't seem to be related to the ignition system can cause a no-start condition. On some systems, for example, the oxygen sensor heater elements are switched by the ASD Relay. So a shorted O2 sensor can lower the voltage available to the ignition system to the point where the engine won't start. Remember to check the available voltage at the coil(s) while the ASD Relay is activated and compare it to source voltage."

I have the sensor just haven't replaced it yet...
Old 04-12-2014, 04:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Jeepin'Hubb's
I've been following this thread. First off glad to hear its running. But....if this lady's observations are correct something has to be wrong. The flickering lights, burning smell, no start, suddenly starts, ect. Time will tell.

Also its great to see how helpful and patient some members are on here. I haven't commented because I didn't want to possibly stir any confusion, just let the couple people patiently helping her go at it. Good job guys and gals!


Originally Posted by WomanNeedsJeepExpertise
Hey, I'm still here fellas but I took a serious nap and now it's bedtime! I will be back on here tomorrow afternoon because I really would like to know the problem so it can be solved. Otherwise I have this nagging feeling, it will come back. There I go again with feelings- that's how I winded up changing the alternator.

When she started back up, there was some squealing from the belt, do I need to tighten the tensioner a bit?
Yes tighten belt some .

Originally Posted by WomanNeedsJeepExpertise
IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ...
Read this from the article Autosurgeon posted. A few weeks ago Free helped me interpret code 12 that I came up with on a self- diagnostic-which states I need my 02 censor replaced..,
"Since the ASD Relay powers up numerous circuits, components that don't seem to be related to the ignition system can cause a no-start condition. On some systems, for example, the oxygen sensor heater elements are switched by the ASD Relay. So a shorted O2 sensor can lower the voltage available to the ignition system to the point where the engine won't start. Remember to check the available voltage at the coil(s) while the ASD Relay is activated and compare it to source voltage."

I have the sensor just haven't replaced it yet...
Code 12 has nothing to do with O2 sensor. Trust the Codes you got when you checked them. Worst thing you can do is over think things. ....IF IT AINT BROOKE DONT FIX IT
Old 04-12-2014, 04:25 AM
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Originally Posted by WomanNeedsJeepExpertise
Hey, I'm still here fellas but I took a serious nap and now it's bedtime! I will be back on here tomorrow afternoon because I really would like to know the problem so it can be solved. Otherwise I have this nagging feeling, it will come back. There I go again with feelings- that's how I winded up changing the alternator.

When she started back up, there was some squealing from the belt, do I need to tighten the tensioner a bit?
With what your original issue was it very well coulda been the alternator that went out who knows. The no start might not even been related.
Old 04-12-2014, 05:40 AM
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Originally Posted by freegdr
Yes tighten belt some . Code 12 has nothing to do with O2 sensor. Trust the Codes you got when you checked them. Worst thing you can do is over think things. ....IF IT AINT BROOKE DONT FIX IT

Will leave it alone but do you remember you read the codes for me and the were 12, 21, 55? My last thread? Remember? Now, suddenly the code 21 is gone. Now it's only 12. When we saw the 21 you told me I needed an 02 sensor.

Check this out…now code 21 is gone. Poof! Into thin air! You sent me a link to get the o2 censor. I bought it on ebay. Now the code is gone. What do you think about that? What could have fixed it? Please tell me your thoughts about this.


Not trying to press the issue, I just can't help wondering... Good Morning!
Old 04-12-2014, 05:42 AM
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Originally Posted by freegdr
Yes tighten belt some . Code 12 has nothing to do with O2 sensor. Trust the Codes you got when you checked them. Worst thing you can do is over think things. ....IF IT AINT BROOKE DONT FIX IT
Look Free- this is what I'm talking about. This is from our PM

Originally Posted by freegdr
Yes replace o2 sensor codes were 12 21 55 disregard 12 and 55
Old 04-12-2014, 05:49 AM
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Originally Posted by WomanNeedsJeepExpertise
Look Free- this is what I'm talking about. This is from our PM
Yes I remember that 21s gone because you disconnected the battery. Thought you changed the sensor all ready. It may come back after driving some if its in the budget replace it.

Last edited by freegdr; 04-12-2014 at 05:53 AM.
Old 04-12-2014, 05:54 AM
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And Good Morning have you tried starting jeep yet this AM yet ?
Old 04-12-2014, 05:57 AM
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You still need to empty your message box cant respond to your PMs.....


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