Alternator or something else?
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Who cares?
Alternator or something else?
Cruising about 73 rolled down the window a little. When I tried to roll it up it didn't move. Couldn't roll down others. Did a quick gauge check and saw little or no voltage from the alternator. Truck was still running. I got off the freeway and began to frantically look for the auto-parts store. I made it a couple of blocks before the engine started hesitating and surging. I pulled into a parking lot and called the motor club to haul me home. When the tow truck got there I asked him to hook up cables so I could get the window up. Just for grins I started the truck. Gauges were fine. I let it run a minute without the cables and the voltage gauge started to decrease. I got towed to my place and am now trying to get the alternator out with a very limited tool set borrowed from a neighbor. I am not at home where this job would have taken a few minutes because I have the tools. I can't figure out how to relieve the belt tensioner without buying a 1/2 drive pry bar. So much for changing a belt on the side of the road! Anyway, would you say it is the alternator, or would you think of anything else?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
i guess alternator. if youcan put it on a charger overnight and build the battery back up, it will start and you can drive a few hours day time, if that will help. with a good charge, if it starts and runs o.k., then definitly the alternator.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,145
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From: Hernando Ms
Charge the Batt overnight with the B+ cable disconnected....Hook it back up,and crank the truck. CAREFULLY pull the B+ cable off the batt terminal and see if it still runs.If it quits immediately,the alternator is definately defective.If it doesent quit immediately,you could still have a shorted/open rectifier diode in it...
.
Take care however to stay clear of the batt itself,any spark can cause the battery to explode.Ive had this happen before,and the positive post flew past my head at Mach 1...put a dent in the hood of the truck......
.Take care however to stay clear of the batt itself,any spark can cause the battery to explode.Ive had this happen before,and the positive post flew past my head at Mach 1...put a dent in the hood of the truck......
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
dont ever take the cable off teh battery with the truck running. that alternator can put out 100 amps and 30 volts. it will blow the computer right off the truck.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,209
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From: Louisville, Kentucky
I'll second what Steve said. 
n5926g, that may have been OK to do back in the 60s but with todays technology you never, ever want to do this and risk taking out all of the electronics in the truck from the voltage surge!
n5926g, that may have been OK to do back in the 60s but with todays technology you never, ever want to do this and risk taking out all of the electronics in the truck from the voltage surge!
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Hernando Ms
...Guess Im showing my age!