We've been getting a ton of snow here in SW Michigan and a lot of blowing and drifting across the roads. The Pat handles it great and blasts right through everything. Only problem I'm having is when I pop through one of those larger snow drifts, it causes the alt/battery light to come on. It wont clear unless I stop, turn off the engine, then start it back up. I'm wonering if anybody in the snow belt has had this happen and have you cured it? Extra shielding somewhere maybe?
Snow drifts = alt/batt light
CHVYPWR
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We've been getting a ton of snow here in SW Michigan and a lot of blowing and drifting across the roads. The Pat handles it great and blasts right through everything. Only problem I'm having is when I pop through one of those larger snow drifts, it causes the alt/battery light to come on. It wont clear unless I stop, turn off the engine, then start it back up. I'm wonering if anybody in the snow belt has had this happen and have you cured it? Extra shielding somewhere maybe?
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i would definitely say its due to the belt either slipping or maybe snow in the way of a sensor or something. I would pop the hood and check around your pullys; when I was in high school I sheered off a couple pullys while out busting drifts.
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x2 on check your serp belt. how old it is? might be dried out, getting wet and slipping.
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check cable connections alternator and the thick cable that goea fom the alternator to the starter.
for this one you have to get under the pat,prefferably lifting it.
something similar happened to me and it was a loose conection on rhe cable that goes from the alternator to the starter.
i'm not saying that's the problem,but it seems like it,as if it were the belt slipping you would hear it squeek and the light would go off when the belt would get the grip back,not needing restarting.
my 2 c.
for this one you have to get under the pat,prefferably lifting it.
something similar happened to me and it was a loose conection on rhe cable that goes from the alternator to the starter.
i'm not saying that's the problem,but it seems like it,as if it were the belt slipping you would hear it squeek and the light would go off when the belt would get the grip back,not needing restarting.
my 2 c.
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Belt was new not that long ago when I swapped out the first alt. and there is no squeeling when it happens. I'm positive all connections are good as I just changed the alt again (#3) for yet another failed pully just a couple months ago. This is definitely a snow intrusion issue that needs some extra sheilding of the engine bay.
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That might be something to look into! Did the FDII get more engine bay shielding than the FDI??
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In the Pre-2011 remake of the Patriot, the FDII did receive additional seals vs. the FDI but I'm not exactly sure where the additional sealing is located.
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Is it the battery logo light, or the light by the fuel gauge, looks like a lightning bolt? If it's the lightning bolt, that's the ETC(electronic throttle control) light. Mine came on a couple summers ago, but eventually just quit. When it happened, the Patriot didn't like exceeding 3,000 RPMs. Others have had similar problems with the same light, with varying endgame. If it is the battery logo light, don't know what to tell ya.
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All FDii have aditional sealing over all FDi's not just pre 2011. There are extra seals on the doors, and around the hood for sure. There is a 2013 fdi that I park next to at work sometimes and we compared back in July. His 2013 was missing the extra seals mine had. Jeep also claims drivetrain vents are relocated to a higher point, but I'm not too sure on that.
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Hmm...that's interesting...PM me pics of your seals? I'm curious. It would be really appreciated!
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Or better yet post pics here as I'm curious as well. I remember a few years ago we had this debate and couldn't find those extra seals.
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Battery light.
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3x!! Post some pics if you can!
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No pics from Danger yet...
Excuse my rudeness but I'm gonna have to call fish...
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Excuse my rudeness but I'm gonna have to call fish...
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This is common after driving through snow drifts. It gets on the belt/pulleys and causes slippage which decreases alternator output. The draw on the battery is then increased and will eventually drain it. This occurs most often after plowing through large drifts of powdery snow, as the OP observed. That also forces snow in at different places than just driving on it. Once your belt starts slipping it is possible for it to glaze and then slip more easily no matter the circumstances afterward.
There is no "magical sealing" of the FDII hood or anywhere else to prevent this other than the the skid plate possibly keeping the snow out in the first place. But that is doubtful as it doesn't seem to cover much more than the plastic cover it replaced. The FDII is just as susceptible to this as any other MK if you are forcing the snow in by plowing through a large drift .
Raising the drivetrain vents is very simple on most vehicles . Some rubber house and clamps is all it really takes but you can get as elaborate as you want. Finding the vents on the diffs and tranny might be tougher on the Patriot than some older designs, though. A google search will turn up more than you ever wanted to know about raising your vents.
There is no "magical sealing" of the FDII hood or anywhere else to prevent this other than the the skid plate possibly keeping the snow out in the first place. But that is doubtful as it doesn't seem to cover much more than the plastic cover it replaced. The FDII is just as susceptible to this as any other MK if you are forcing the snow in by plowing through a large drift .
Raising the drivetrain vents is very simple on most vehicles . Some rubber house and clamps is all it really takes but you can get as elaborate as you want. Finding the vents on the diffs and tranny might be tougher on the Patriot than some older designs, though. A google search will turn up more than you ever wanted to know about raising your vents.
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