Alternator hot to the touch (What the heck?)

[GardnerM]

Had light trouble following a full season of excessive road salt . Shorted marker lights on flatbed, got a "light out" warning which went away. Still had my truck lights tail brake turn so we kept up with work... but the black with yellow stripe is dead (marker lights for DRW ) . Then we get the in cab light switch acting weird by not turning off ,to the left. Then middle on switch everythings off , or is it ? Because after it flashes on its own... ... Then we unhooked both bats to attempt to reset ECM ? Switched relays around on top of ECM. Wala? The lights shut off when switched off. Park ligts work in middle, then headlights all the way to right. Problem solved , no because we still had no juice to the maker light (black with yellow strip) and now my alternator is very hot to the touch even after just 2 minutes of idleing. Could there be some sort of backfeed ? I mean it gets HOT to the touch quick! So I am stumped .

 

[Prairie Dog]

Yea, something is presenting a huge load. . Is the volt meter reading normal? Are the grids stuck on?
What ever it is I wouldn't run it that way very long, an alternator can start a fire.

 

[GardnerM]

Had it scanned and checked out the mechanic said they all run hot. So I took his word . I just thought it seemed too hot. He did get several codes upon scanning but the wires are all getting respliced to flatbed THEN he said he can clear the codes.

 

[Prairie Dog]

i just went out and played with mine. It's 47 degrees outside and after 6 minutes of idling, the alt was slightly warm (lazer = 81 degrees). Thermostat housing was at 107, ex manifold = 127 degrees and the grids had been cycling.
I think you mechanic just doesn't know what to do with it.