Jeep Commander Alternator Trouble: Common Warning Signs

I had a similar alternator issue with my 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee last year. Having some experience with car electronics, I first checked for a voltage drop using a multimeter, but the readings confirmed my suspicions about the alternator. The symptoms were identical, weak battery, flickering lights, and constant battery warning light. After the starter motor struggled a few times, I decided to have it properly diagnosed. The voltage regulator inside the alternator had failed, causing inconsistent charging. The workshop confirmed the alternator was defective and needed full replacement. Total cost was 960 Euro including parts and labor. The repair took about 3 hours and solved all the electrical issues completely. Before suggesting specific solutions, could you share: Current mileage on your Commander, Whether you notice any unusual sounds from the engine bay, If you recently had any other electrical work done, Whether the battery is the original one This information would help determine if your situation matches what I experienced and whether an alternator replacement is indeed the right fix.

I have exactly 133213 KM on the clock. The charging system definitely seems at fault, and after checking the serpentine belt, it appears tight with no visible wear. There are no unusual noises from the engine bay, and the battery is original from 2022. The symptoms keep getting worse, now the car barely starts in the morning and all electrical components are sluggish. The starter motor sounds weaker each time. It seems the alternator isnt providing enough charge to maintain the battery, leading to these issues. Just had my regular service done last month, and the mechanic mentioned the battery tested fine at that time, which makes me more convinced its the alternator causing these problems.

Thanks for those details, your symptoms match my alternator issue exactly. When my Jeep started showing the same problems, my battery was also relatively new and testing fine, but the car electronics were behaving similarly with weak starts and sluggish electrical systems. The fact that your serpentine belt is in good condition points even more strongly to the alternator being the culprit. On these Jeeps, the alternator typically starts failing around 120000-150000 KM, so your mileage fits the pattern. Your starter motor struggling increasingly is a classic sign of the alternator not properly charging the battery. In my case, waiting longer would have potentially left me stranded as the battery kept getting more depleted. The repair cost should be similar to what I paid (around 960 Euro), though prices may vary. Make sure they test the new alternator after installation, my shop did a full charging system diagnostic to confirm everything was working correctly. Based on the matching symptoms and similar vehicle age, I strongly suggest getting the alternator replaced before the car wont start at all. These issues rarely resolve themselves and typically get worse quickly.

Thanks everyone for helping diagnose this. After all the feedback and checking the symptoms against similar cases, I'm convinced its an alternator issue with my Commander. The declining electrical system performance and weak starter motor match the typical alternator failure pattern. I just scheduled an appointment to have the alternator replaced next week. The shop quoted 980 Euro for parts and labor, which seems in line with what others paid. They mentioned theyll do a complete charging system test after installation to ensure everything works properly. Really helped having others confirm their experiences with similar symptoms, especially knowing that a relatively new battery testing fine doesnt rule out alternator problems. Will update once the repair is done, but feeling confident this will resolve all the electrical issues Im experiencing. Looking forward to having my Jeep back to normal without worrying about getting stranded due to electrical failures. Thanks again for all the detailed responses and guidance through the diagnostic process.