Original Alternator

So - I’m looking for the original Alternator for my 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7L hemi 2wd and when I pull up the build sheet it does say 180amp based off my vin#.

I was almost positive they came stocked with the 220amp version.

anyone know how reliable the build sheet is based off that vin or does anyone know if the 220amp was the original part alternator for the 2011 5.7l hemi 2wd?

 

Either was available. I don't know what might have determined when one was used over the other but I assume it would be a particular package that had extra power hungry components.

Per AllData:
Alternator
1 - 180 Amp
4801833AB
$495.00

1 - 220 Amp
4801834AB
$620.00

 

Right - so when I punched in my Vin# on the Chrysler Jeep site it provided a sheet - how accurate is that?
Equipment Listing
VIN ##############
Vehicle Description 2011 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE OVERLAND 4X2
STANDARD EQUIPMENT
* Monotone Paint
* 180 Amp Alternator
* 700 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
* Electronic Stability Control
* Hill Start Assist
* Traction Control
* Trailer Sway Damping
* Anti-Lock 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
* Ventilated Front Seats
* Active Head Restraints
* Rear 60/40 Folding Seat
* Child Seat Upper Tether Anchorages
* Supplemental Side Air Bags
* Child Seat Anchor System-LATCH Ready
* Advanced Multistage Front Air Bags
* Center Rear 3-Point Seat Belt
* Supplemental Frt Seat Side Air Bags
* Floor Carpet
* Cargo Net
* Cargo Tie Down Loops
* Cargo Trim Panel w/Storage Net
* Luxury Front/Rear Floor Mats w/Logo
* Cargo Compartment Cover
1 01/23/20

* Passenger Assist Handles
* Luxury Door Trim Panel
* Full Length Floor Console
* Overhead Console
* Leather Wrapped Shift Knob
* Illuminated Cupholders
* Conventional Differential Rear Axle
* Acoustic Laminated Front Door Glass
* Tinted Windshield Glass
* Front Door Tinted Glass
* Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass
* Flipper Liftgate Glass
* Rear Window Defroster
* Sun Visors w/Illum Vanity Mirrors
* Pwr Htd Mem Multi-Function Mirrors
* Dual-Pane Panoramic Sunroof
* Remote Proximity Keyless Entry
* Remote Keyless Entry
* Sentry Key Theft Deterrent System
* Keyless Enter-N-Go
* Air Cond ATC w/Dual Zone Control
* Hood Insulation
* Premium Insulation Group
* Premium Instrument Cluster w/Tach
* 140 MPH Primary Speedometer
* Rear Window Wiper/Washer
* Rain Sensitive Windshield Wipers
* Dual Note Electric Horns
* Auxiliary 12-Volt Rear Power Outlet
2 01/23/20

* 12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
* 115V Auxiliary Power Outlet
* Power Accessory Delay
* Air Filtering
* Power Locks
* Heated Front Seats
* Heated Second Row Seats
* Pwr Front Windows, 1-Touch,Up & Down
* Power Liftgate
* Pwr Driver/Pass 4-Way Lumbar Adjust
* Pwr 8-Way Drvr Mem 8-Way Pass Seats
* Jet Black - Molding - Sill
* Illuminated Entry
* Vehicle Information Center
* Glove Box Lamp
* Front & Rear Interior LED Lamps
* Interior Removable/Rechargeable Lamp
* Radio/Driver Seat/Mirrors Memory
* Automatic Headlamps
* Auto High Beam Headlamp Control
* BI-Xenon HID Headlamps
* Daytime Running Headlamps, Dedicated
* Front Fog Lamps
* Security Alarm
* Enhanced Accident Response System
* Body Color Fascias w/Bright Insert
* Bright Grille
* Chrome Bodyside Molding
* Bright Day Light Opening Moldings
3 01/23/20

* Bright Door Handles
* Bright License Plate Brow
* Jeep Badge
* Bright Side Roof Rails
* Integrated Liftgate Rear Spoiler
* Overland Badge
* 24.6 Gallon Fuel Tank
* Speed Control
* Heated Steering Wheel
* Standard Duty Engine Cooling
* Dk. Charcoal Pearl Coat
* Premium Alpine Speaker System
* Removable Short Mast Antenna
* Radio 430 NAV
* SIRIUS Satellite Radio
* Uconnect Voice Command w/Bluetooth
* Power Rack and Pinion Steering
* Wood/Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
* Normal Duty Suspension
* Power Tilt/Telescope Steering Column
* Compact Spare Tire
* 265/50R20 BSW All Season Tires
* 20X8.0 Aluminum Painted Wheels
* ParkView Rear Back-up Camera
* Non Adjustable Pedals
* Remote Start System
* Universal Garage Door Opener
* Tire Pressure Monitoring Display
* Power Locking Fuel Filler Door
4 01/23/20

* Protective Coating and Remover
* Headliner Parts Module
* Seat Parts Module
* Instrument Panel Parts Module
* Door Parts Module
* Front End Parts Module
* Front Suspension Parts Module
* Rear Suspension Parts Module
* Tire & Wheel Parts Module
* Front Suspension Damper Parts Module
* Rear Suspension Damper Parts Module
* Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications
* GVW Rating - 6500#
* U.S. Dealer Retail
* Zone 63-Dallas
* Two Wheel Drive (2WD)/(4X2)
* Left Hand Drive (LHD)
* 2011 Vehicle Specifications
* WK/6042 Vehicle Family
* Price Class S
* Vehicle Order Tracking
* U.S. Specifications Label
* Tennessee Ship to State Code
* Tennessee Sold to State Code
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
* Leather Trim Seats w/Edge Welting
* Dk. Frost Beige/Lt. Frost Beige
* Supp. Side Curtain Frt/Rr Air Bags
5 01/23/20

* All Automatic Transmissions
* 5-Spd Automatic 545RFE Transmission
* 3.47 Rear Axle Ratio
* 225MM Rear Axle
* 5.7L V8 MDS VVT Engine
* Auto Dim Exterior Driver Mirror
* RR View Auto Dim Mirror w/Microphone
* Automatic Headlamp Leveling System
* Garmin Navigation System
* Ext. Mirrors w/Supplemental Signals
* Exterior Mirrors w/Memory
* Chrome Exterior Mirrors
* Auto Dim Exterior Passenger Mirror
* Federal Emissions
* Dual Bright Exhaust Tips
* Exterior Mirrors w/Heating Element
* Dk. Charcoal Pearl Coat
* Steering Wheel Mounted Audio Ctrls
* 506 Watt Amplifier
* 6.5" Touchscreen Display
* SiriusXM Travel Link
* Audio Jack Input for Mobile Devices
* Remote USB Port
* Goodyear Brand Tires
* Compact Spare Wheel
* All Aluminum Wheels
* ParkSense Rear Park Assist System
* Tip Start
* 40GB Hard Drive w/20GB Available
6 01/23/20

* For More Info, Call 888-539-7474
* 1-Yr. SiriusXM Radio Service
* 1-Yr. SiriusXM Travel Link Service
* 7.5 Additional Gallons of Gas
* Spring - Left Front
* Spring - Left Rear
* Spring - Right Front
* Spring - Right Rear
* FAM:WK TRACKING: 00407J18AA MY:2011
* FAM: wk TRACKING: 00608J17 MY:2011
* FAM: WK TRACKING: 00702J07 MY:2011
* Customer Preferred Package 2TP
* Customer Preferred Package 25P
* Premium Nav Radio Credit Delete
* Sold Vehicle
* Special Scheduling Condition VII
7 01/23/20

 

Nothing stopping you from installing a 220 amp. Autozone has reman Duralast 220 amps alternators for your JGC

 

Are those pretty good?

 

Btw - the dealership was trying to say putting on a 220 might mess with the PCM. UGH - some people!!

 

Duralast reman alternators can be fine plus they have lifetime warranty. I've had good results with them when replacing alternators with 130K or more.

 

Definitely a problem for a Tesla but I doubt it for 2011 JGC plus the 220 is an available choice at auto parts stores

 

Do I void my alternator warranty if I install the replacement alternator from the Dealership myself? The dealership offered to bring it to me and trade it out. It’s a shot in the dark...

 

If the dealership is offering a replacement alternator I would be interested.

 

Lol you mean for you?

 

I am determined to fix this bad boy!!

 

I do have a question though. In the past I have changed an alternator and it was no problem to undo the ground off the battery. How long can I leave the ground off of my battery without the computer needing to be reprogrammed? Is there anything special I need to be aware about when doing a simple alternator removal/install?

 

One should disconnect the battery when making electrical repairs. Radio presets may be lost but it should not permanently affect anything else.

 

Right but can that be something that sits off the battery for an hour or two? For some reason I thought there had to be a charge to save special programming on the PCM. I guess I just don’t know

 

AFAIK some use a mini device to maintain 12V in order to keep the radio presets.

 

You may lose some programming but it is the stuff the computer learns, so it will be relearned..no "re-programming" required.

On two occassions I have intentionally erased the learned programming on the computer to get Wrangler JKs to start.