I have a 1990 cherokee laredo (V6, automatic) I got about 3 or so weeks ago. It was 550 bucks, so I couldnt pass it up, I've encountered a few problems that I could use some advice on. I'm not exactly an auto expert but I can find my way around. I got a whole bunch of questions, I'm not looking for someone to answer them all but if anyone knows an answer or two to them I'd greatly appreciate the help.

First off, I have all sorts of problems getting it to shift out of part time. I've tried to get it to go into 4x4 or front wheel while in drive, park, neutral, at high speeds, at low speeds, off road but it won't go. After a while I'll just leave it in full time and after a while it'll shift over. Think my transfer case is crapping out or it's just a bolt or cable?

Next, the rear wiper seems dead, but is there any way I can determine if it's a bad wire/dead wiper motor/dead switch? The rear washer still shoots fluid, but thats it.

Also, it just had a new alternator put in but I think the voltage regulator might be in bad shape. At night when I have the lights and such on my battery gauge is showing about ten volts or lower when I'm not moving. Once I get moving or if I put it in park and give it gas the lights get nice and bright and the gauge will get up to a nice 13.8 or so. But once I'm at a stoplight the gauge is dropping and the lights are getting dim. Voltage regulator, a short somewhere, or something else?

Thanks for taking the time to read, any guesses would be greatly appreciated.

Regarding the t-case -- first, make sure the fluid is up to the proper level. Then put lots of WD-40 on the external linkage/cables and try working it back and forth many times. If none of that helps, get back to us.

Regarding the rear wiper -- Take the wires off of the wiper motor. have a friend turn the rear wiper control on and see if you get 12 volts on the wire at the motor. As an additional check, after the car's wiring is removed from the motor, use an additional battery and run wires from the battery to the motor to see if that makes it run. I assume you've checked the fuse?

Regarding the alternator .. if the alternator belt is tight, and the alternator puts out 13.8 volts when you have some revs on the engine, I think the alternator is probably OK. I'd suspect either: (1) A bad battery, or (2) corroded battery terminals.

Second all that, but in particular the alt problem I would take a look at the condition of the belt and also the tension. Check the idle RPM and do a load test on the battery (battery can be tested at most auto parts stores). Along with cleaning battery terminals check /clean your battery ground cable. Bottom line if it was me I would set aside a weekend, get a box of beer and check over all the different things the previous owner neglected. If your like me you'll probably find it relaxing to tinker with your new truck. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Tuna, as for your concern about the alternator...first, find out it's PEAK AMPS. Just look it up on any auto parts website (advance, auto zone, it will specify in the description). The alternator needs to be putting out at LEAST 60% of it's peak output to charge the battery. Say it's a 100 Amp alternator (for an easy example)...you need to be putting out at least 60 amps.

The brushes inside the case could very well be worn out only charging sufficiently only when you rev her.

Thanks for all the tips. The problem was a bad alternator (second one in a row). I got it tested down at advanced auto and it showed a bad diode or something along those lines. I got the transfer case figured out and it's shifting fine now, oil and some tighting helped. Haven't had a chance to take care of the rear wiper but I'll get to it.

Thanks again for all the help guys.