kj4ltc

A couple days ago my 2011 JKU died at idle, no interior or dash lights….zero electrical power. Hooked up jumper cables which quickly became hot and started smoking at one of the grips. Towed it to the house and have now began testing. Testing continuity to the alt/battery was good. From the power lug on the alternator to the alternator case gave a 0 ohm reading….is this correct? Seems to me that would show a dead short to ground.

kj4ltc

Last thing I tested for tonight was disconnecting the alternator cable, and with jumper cables hooked up to a diesel truck I had 13.6 vdc at the battery, alternator disconnected, I regained all interior power until I turn the key to attempt to start, I get a click and all the lights go out and will not come back on until I disconnect and reconnect the battery. Which puts me back to my original suspicion of a bad starter.

user 729872082

You can take the starter and alternator to Autozone or places like that and they can test it for you.