Charging Problems
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Senior User
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Charging Problems
I've been having a charging issue I can't seem to figure out.
While driving my volt gauge will show around 14V then fall to 9-10V every so often. Sometimes it'll never return back to charging. All the lights dim when this happens also.
At first, I figured it was either the Alt going bad or the glow plug relay clicking on causing a draw. I wired an led into the relay to see if that was the cause of my problem. It wasn't, so I went ahead and replaced the alternator.
Now my problem persists. I've hooked a multimeter onto the alt to see if the charge drops when I start pulling, pushing and jiggling wires. I couldn't get it to do anything.
Where do I go from here and what else can I check?
While driving my volt gauge will show around 14V then fall to 9-10V every so often. Sometimes it'll never return back to charging. All the lights dim when this happens also.
At first, I figured it was either the Alt going bad or the glow plug relay clicking on causing a draw. I wired an led into the relay to see if that was the cause of my problem. It wasn't, so I went ahead and replaced the alternator.
Now my problem persists. I've hooked a multimeter onto the alt to see if the charge drops when I start pulling, pushing and jiggling wires. I couldn't get it to do anything.
Where do I go from here and what else can I check?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,925
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Hmm, I can think of a few things that you may want to look into.
Since your alternator is new and you know your glow plugs aren't causing the draw, it might be possible that your belt is getting worn or starting to slip.
I'd check the serpentine belt to make sure it isn't excessively worn and also make sure no oil/ps fluid or liquids of any kind are spilling on the belt. It's possible the belt tensioner could be worn as well, but I've actually never heard of that happening.
Apart from that, I'd look over your battery connections (both positive connections and both ground connections) and also look at the charging cable from the alternator to the batter as well. If those connections are loose and or corroded, I could see if causing issues like you are having.
Since your alternator is new and you know your glow plugs aren't causing the draw, it might be possible that your belt is getting worn or starting to slip.
I'd check the serpentine belt to make sure it isn't excessively worn and also make sure no oil/ps fluid or liquids of any kind are spilling on the belt. It's possible the belt tensioner could be worn as well, but I've actually never heard of that happening.
Apart from that, I'd look over your battery connections (both positive connections and both ground connections) and also look at the charging cable from the alternator to the batter as well. If those connections are loose and or corroded, I could see if causing issues like you are having.
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Hmm, I can think of a few things that you may want to look into. Since your alternator is new and you know your glow plugs aren't causing the draw, it might be possible that your belt is getting worn or starting to slip. I'd check the serpentine belt to make sure it isn't excessively worn and also make sure no oil/ps fluid or liquids of any kind are spilling on the belt. It's possible the belt tensioner could be worn as well, but I've actually never heard of that happening. Apart from that, I'd look over your battery connections (both positive connections and both ground connections) and also look at the charging cable from the alternator to the batter as well. If those connections are loose and or corroded, I could see if causing issues like you are having.
Battery connections I'll check tomorrow morning. I looked over the connections from the alt to the starter relay and from the relay to the battery. I tugged on them and made sure they where all tight whenever I was doing my testing this evening.
The ground strap at the back of the passenger head is torn, but has been since I bought the truck three plus years ago. I'll finally replace that tomorrow.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2016
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From: Bahstun
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Here's an update on the problem.
I unhooked both batteries and check voltage. Both read 12.9Vs. I know this doesn't rule them out just just. Need to have them load tested.
I also replaced the plug that plugs into the top of the alt.
Something I find odd is the Battery Light hasn't come on whenever it happens. There's an obvious drop in voltage but I don't know what's causing it. It's driving me crazy
I unhooked both batteries and check voltage. Both read 12.9Vs. I know this doesn't rule them out just just. Need to have them load tested.
I also replaced the plug that plugs into the top of the alt.
Something I find odd is the Battery Light hasn't come on whenever it happens. There's an obvious drop in voltage but I don't know what's causing it. It's driving me crazy
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2016
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From: Bahstun
odd, I don't see OP last reply.
edit now I do after I replied
Maybe you have a loose ground some where
Should be one on each side of cab near kick panels
back of engine to cab
edit now I do after I replied
Maybe you have a loose ground some where
Should be one on each side of cab near kick panels
back of engine to cab
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Felton, Delaware
Funny, this happened to me last night on my way back from a jobsite, 70 miles away my cts2 was showing a drop to 11.9 to 12.1v. No check engine light, no voltage light I just saw low voltage on my tuner display and factory gauge showed needle around N. It's usually 13.9 to 14.2. I knew it wasn't serpentine belt since PS and brakes were there so I kept driving the next 20 miles to autozone so atleast I'd have some parts I could throw at it.
I checked over all connectors at the top and decided I'd remove the alternator to have it checked, went to remove the stud from the back of the alternator and found the lug on the wire had broken off and was barely touching the stud the rubber boot was over it and the shape of the wire was keeping it barely touching. I crimped a new lug on and it fixed it all.
Maybe the charging wire is chaffed somewhere or the terminal where is connects to relay is damaged
I checked over all connectors at the top and decided I'd remove the alternator to have it checked, went to remove the stud from the back of the alternator and found the lug on the wire had broken off and was barely touching the stud the rubber boot was over it and the shape of the wire was keeping it barely touching. I crimped a new lug on and it fixed it all.
Maybe the charging wire is chaffed somewhere or the terminal where is connects to relay is damaged
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I think I finally fixed my problem. I started tracing the wires from the alt. back through th harness. I found a spot where some one has tried to repair it at one time and the repair had failed causing them to touch.
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I'm at a loss.
I've tried disconnecting the GPR, new belt and tensioner, new alt., cleaning all the terminals, cleaning the grounds and tightening them. Even added a block to frame ground strap and nothing is seeming to help.
The problem is getting worse too.
Any ideas?
I've tried disconnecting the GPR, new belt and tensioner, new alt., cleaning all the terminals, cleaning the grounds and tightening them. Even added a block to frame ground strap and nothing is seeming to help.
The problem is getting worse too.
Any ideas?