Good morning everyone.

I have a little proplem which requires some quick assistance.

While backing up the truck in my driveway, the engine suddenly shut down but I started her up again straight away. When the engine was running, I noticed the voltage on the guage slowly dropping.

Immediately I looked at the fuses underneath the hood and all appear well.

With the engine running, I took a meter to the battery and found the voltage dropping to 12.05V and then up to 12.6V but quickly again dropping down to 12.05V.

I suspect a bad alternator and my question really is if I can safely drive the vehicle without fear of a breakdown while I obtain a new alternator.

Best regards

UM

 

Are you sure it is not just the grid heaters cycling?

 

What's the temperature there? If it's below 50F it's probably the grid heaters cycling. If it quits in a few minutes that's probably it.

 

The voltage fluctuation could be the grid heaters but I had the distinct impression of a power spike/surge just before the engine quiting on me.

Before this happened, I had been driving the vehicle for a good half hour on the highway and the voltage was right up in the middle of the guage.

Regards

UM

 

When it stalled the heaters will start cycling again. Start the truck and let it idle for a few minutes and watch the gauge. It should move back and forth for a few minutes before leveling out at about 14 volts. Once it levels out, turn the truck off and restart it. The heaters should start cycling again but the gauge should level out a little quicker.

 

Thanks for all the comments.

I am presently not around my vehicle. As I did not want to be stranded, I had someone else take me to work. I agree that more testing is required and will do that as soon as I get back home.

Any ideas on what would cause the engine to quit (stall) in the first place?


Best regards

UM




Regards

UM

 

An idle below 850 RPM , especially when its cold enough to need the grid heaters , about 40*F .

 

if its a2001 you can cycle the key 3 x (on off on off on dont start and watch odometer for codes ) and read codes that might give you a clue why it stalled

Ps have a pencil and paper handy

 

The temperature is slightly below freezing up here.

Shortly after I bought the truck, I purchased a DRBII (I believe it is called) scanner which I keep in the vehicle. The only code that I read off was the turbo boost error caused this earlier this morning.


Best regards

UM