Ok, Im coming home today and get the "check gauges" light. I notice that my voltage gauge is lower than normal . I pull into the parts place to check on the availability of a new TPS. I get into the truck to leave and she wont start . I got a jump to get her home.

I see through the vents in the alternator that the field windings, some of them, are burnt. I see a break in one of the winding wires too.
Could this be caused by something out side of the alternator ? ( a short to ground etc) Or , is it most likely some internal problem with the alternator.
I have never seen field windings fry. Its almost always the brushes , the diodes or the bearings that go on these things first.


I have 195K mi on my pick up at this point. This bolt on stuff is beginning to cost some $

Any one with some info ?

Thanks ,

~Brett

 

195k on an alternator is outstanding. Put a new one on and keep driveing. Probably shorted a diode.