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Need Some Help Here - Battery Warning Light and LOUD Metallic Rattle
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
From: Savannah, GA
Need Some Help Here - Battery Warning Light and LOUD Metallic Rattle
So. I think my alternator blew up. There was a loud whine and rattle sound then the battery light came on. We made it to our destination and then all the gauge lights went out and headlights turned off. It went dead in the parking lot. Smelled like burning wires. Completely dead. A battery jump barely got it running enough to put the gear in N for the tow truck.
Any thoughts? I towed it to a local shop for examination.
Any thoughts? I towed it to a local shop for examination.
OK, so I had the alternator replaced with a "Genuine MOPAR replacement from Chrysler".
With the electrical problems, the battery was completely and utterly drained. The mechanic said he had to charge it for 4 hours to get it to crank up again.
I was able to drive it 300mi back home with no problems whatsoever. However, this morning on the way to work the battery warning light came back on the dash and that really loud "metallic rattle around 1200rpm" is back.
The metallic rattle happens ONLY when the battery light is on.
It happened suddenly and when it did, the dash lights will all go out for a split second and then turn back on...
I am at my wits end. I had a new Duralast Gold battery installed about 4mo ago, and KC windshield lights installed 3mo ago. I have checked my light wiring and found no faults. The technician at the shop said he had to replace a wire from the old alternator that had _melted_. I am wondering if some of the wiring to the battery is faulty?
I am really frustrated at this point and am very hesitant to drive it anywhere, now.
I guess I will take it back to my trusted mechanic to tear it down to find root cause.
Thanks for your help!
JK Freak
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 553
Likes: 1
From: Houston, TX
Trace the charge wires and also check all the fuses.
It is possible that even though the battery is new, draining it fully killed it. I'd try to get a replacement.
It's possible that low power is causing something to not run right, causing the rattle.
It is possible that even though the battery is new, draining it fully killed it. I'd try to get a replacement.
It's possible that low power is causing something to not run right, causing the rattle.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
From: Savannah, GA
Autozone replaced the battery under warranty.
We noticed some of the battery wiring was spliced and worn looking. I think the next step will be to replace all that wiring. Splices = points of failure in my experience.
We noticed some of the battery wiring was spliced and worn looking. I think the next step will be to replace all that wiring. Splices = points of failure in my experience.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
From: Sedalia, MO
Just something to check, pulleys. My guess would be a bad bearing on a pulley. It is likely only getting off balance every so often and when it does the belt is not gripping right. This could cause your battery light, battery discharge and the metallic sound.
Easy to check, take the belt off and check for any play or rough movement in each pulley.
Easy to check, take the belt off and check for any play or rough movement in each pulley.
