GregC

Truck in sig.
Driving today and the check gauges light comes on, ampmeter reading 8. I don't have any tools so I run a jumper cable from positive to positive to see if the problem is in the crossover cable. No change. I get it home, shut it off and restart it and now it says it's charging at just over 12 volts. The alternator is charging at 12.7, the passenger battery is charging at 12.7 and the drivers battery is at 12.6. I just cleaned all the battery and ground connections a few weeks ago, everything still looks clean and all connections are tight. Is the ECM in control of the alternator? I know I've heard some are, not sure on the 04. I'll be taking the alternator in to see how it tests in a while, I have other jobs to get to first. Batteries are almost 3 years old, but both load tested good 3 weeks ago will check that again as well.

Spooler

Yes, the alternator charging is done commanded by the ECM. ECM could be bad.

GregC

I'm going to disconnect the crossover cable and see if the charging rate changes. I REALLY don't need any trouble with the ECM.

GregC

I had a new 2/0 crossover cable made and I installed it yesterday. Back to charging normally.... at least until I was about halfway in to work this morning, then back down to 12 and then 0. One way to work for me is 75 miles so I just kept going. Barely made it to work, systems started shutting down about 3 miles from work, radio, airbag. Went out to jump it so I could bring it in and check it and it fires right up, charging at 12.6 volts again. I cleaned all the connections again and no change. Put the scanner on it and found several codes relating to it. Pulled the alternator and will be taking it to be tested shortly.
I'm wondering if the alternator isn't charging at all when it reads 0 but that I'm actually picking up the battery voltage. Hmm.

GregC

Alternator tested bad. New alternator, no problems.

47Dodge

Good! Ez fix!




47