Will the PCM in an 02 3.7l KJ work directly with the 160 amp alternator? I'm going to need it with mine to handle the plow and renegade light bar.

Thanks in advance!

-Pat

From everything I have found out over the years no.
Unless someone has found a way around recently

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MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

Doesn't really matter eitherway as the actual amps produced between the stock 136a and 160a is less the 12 amps(91a and 103a at 2500rpm's).Unless your going to hold the engine past 2500+rpm's there is no advantage going to the 160a alternator.

I have over 350w of LED's,2 KC HID's,winch,and big stereo and no dimming from the 136a alternator.The key is a quality battery like the Diehard P1/P4(Odyssey PC1500).

I'm running an Optima Red top (purchased before they sold to the new company) that I bought 7 years ago and shelved. It was trickle charged during the time it sat, and load tests perfectly.

The battery isn't an issue.

The 160A alternator, if it is plug and play, would still be beneficial as I could wire an idle-up onto the IAC similar to police interceptor Cherokees.

Even at 12A production at idle, the ability to keep up between the two would be more beneficial.

Plus, my alternator is the original at 126000 miles on the jeep, so I'm quite sure the spindle where the brushes ride is worn down. Output is at 11.43A on it at idle, telling me that it is on it's last legs.

The question really is, then, whether or not the alternator will work as designed with this ECM.

No that is just how much load is demanded at idle to run the engine and power any electrical accessories that are on at the time.Turn the high beams on,blower motor to high,4-ways,radio,rear heated glass,and wipers and you will see it jump to about 50 or so amps at idle.

I am sure the PCM will work fine with the 160 Amp alternator.....all the PCM does is measure the voltage around about the ignition switch area....if the voltage drops then the PCM increases the Pulse Width Modulation current duration to the alternator field coil to increase the voltage....and hence current....coming out of the alternator.

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2002 Export CRD 2.5 Sport

Just checked out my the silver KJ that we built combining a Renegade in a Limited chassis, with Limited computers. alternator works fine. roof lights don't dim or suck juice from anything else when on, including running a plow pump (set up dummy wiring).

swapped alternators, problem solved. Swapped back, still an issue. Maybe mine is tired, it's original at 126000 miles. Either way, plug and play, so I ordered a 160A for mine.