hey guys, I have a 2001 2500 with 165000 miles. I was on the highway today and started to smell something burning, when I got home I popped the hood and I could see what looked like a little smoke or steam coming off the alternator and thats where the burning smell was coming from. I'm guessing the alternator is shot? I probably shouldn't drive it at all like this should I? I don't want the dang thing to catch on fire. I did a search but couldn't find anyone who said there alternator was literally burning up which is what mine seems to be doing. I guess my main question is should I go ahead and go to the parts store and pick up a reman? I would think it'd be an easy job.

 

one more thing, what am I lookin at as far as used parts go? The build sheet for my truck says 136 amp alternator. Would any alternator off say a 99-02 diesel thats 136 amp work for me? I can pick one up off ebay for 50 bucks I think.

 

Do you have a/c? On my truck I had that burning smell awhile ago and smoke coming up from that side of the engine, I thought it was the alternator but I had recently replaced it. It turned out to be the ac compressor clutch was seized up and making the belt burn and its under the alternator so thats why I was thinking it was the alternator. Take the belt off and try spinning all the different things by hand and see if they alll rotate freely.

 

Removing the belt is easy. Use a 1/2" rachet or breaker bar on the tensioner. If your alternator insides feels "gritty" when you spin the pulley your bearings are more than likley shot.

 

thanks i'll try that stuff

 

well its definitely not the ac clutch, that spins perfectly freely. The alternator did not feel "gritty" but harder to spin then the ac clutch. It spins smoothly but you have to put your hand on the alternator and turn it like a **** whereas the a/c clutch i could roll a finger down and make it spin. what'dya think?

 

The A/C clutch and alternator spinn sounds normal. The A/C clutch disengages so you basically turn the pulley. The alternator doesn't have a clutch so you spin the rotor.

Get your batteries tested. If they both test good then get the alternator tested.

 

Well, just because the bearings arent gone does not mean all is well with the Alternator. If you saw smoke comming from it you still need to get it fully checked out. Burning up your truck would be a bad thing

 

guys on another forum said that they thought the bearings on the alt were warped...I went ahead and did a best offer on ebay and got one for 50 bucks shipped. Used but its from a used parts guy and they said it was tested so hopefully that fixes 'er up

I don't think its the batteries. I just got the truck 6 months ago so I'm not sure how old the current batts are but they are everlast I think. So since the trucks an '01 and the stock batteries last awhile these can't be that old can they? I haven't had any electrical or starting problems (knock on wood)

 

You don't want to burn something up so stop guessing and get batteries tested free at wally world. Pull alternator and get bench tested at parts store. Testing on vehicle is problematic. One bad battery will will make alt work like crazy to get voltage up