Not exactly "new", but still ONLY (7) months old.

I bought my 98 2500 (7) months ago of a local Dodge ***********. They replaced the alternator on the truck when I bought it. There was also some associated RELAY that they found bad and replaced that as well.

Now, (7) months later I see the Voltage Guage showing a DISCHARGE.

I don't have a high powered audio amplifier or ANY high powered accessories. I also don't pull a trailer. I use my truck strictly as a communter vehicle. 54 miles/day, 98% on the highway.

WTH would cause a NEW Mopar alternator to go bad SO FAST ??

 

Be sure and check the battery with a voltmeter or multi-meter. Could be that your guage is bad. Especially if your battery warning light is not on.

 

The number one cause of alternator failure is the batteries. I'd replace them.

 

They checked out at 12.03 volts. The local parts monkey put that little machine on my Alternator and it's not putting out at all..

 

Hmmm.... I assume they have to be disconnect (from one another) to check them out huh ?

 

Check your fuses. If you blow a fuse, it will look like a bad alternator. Do you have a warantee on the replacement still?

 

I checked them this AM and all appear OK. Which fuse in particular would show a bad alternator ??

Yea, the Dealership is willing to warranty it (for 1 Full year) IF they do the diagnostic testing themselves. That's why I have to wait until this coming Wednesday to take it in.

 

you said your ammmeter said discharge,
i also saw that you said it seemed like it was charging ok with a multimeter
is this ammmeter an aftermarket guage? if so ditch that thing and put in a volt guage instead
i never saw it or i mean i never believed it till i saw it,ammeters catch on fire!!!!
yea fire,my buddies mid 80's cutlass,we were cruisin,and i mentioned this to him like 3 months before it happened,he said "yea right,never seen/heard of it"
shure as tootin,it happened, smoke filled the car,we were able to pull over
at least we were able to blow out the fire and pull the leads off the ammeter,and twist them together to get us home
although it did start to melt the insulation on the charge wire under the hood too
we saved it from a major meltdown
with my quick hillfolk thinkin
he said"wow i guess you were right"
i said"i guess i was too,cause i never seen that before,too bad i was right though"
i guess if ya have a stock ammmeter in the dash you are screwed ,id disable it and use a volt guage
i guess it has to do with the "shunt"in the guage,that sucker gets hot!!!

 

The alternator NOT charging OK. That parts monkey showed 12.03 Volts where is should be 14 Volts. It was just the battery Voltage showing.

I appreciate the advise anyways.

.

 

Just got back from the ***********.

The found a nut had fallen off the back of the alternator that holds the wires tight.

All is well now.