Bad luck lately

[RVTRKN]

I'm posting this here instead of the C&C forum, more members will see this and after all it's basically the same engine. I posted awhile back, that my AC clutch came apart, but I could still run motor, just not have AC. Tonight I moved it around to get boat ready for trip that I'm pulling with my new Tacoma because AC is out. My check engine light and throttle position sensor is lit. Checked code while running it and it wouldn't clear, (P2509) so I parked it where it belongs and smelled electrical burning, it seems my alternator was hot, but charging ok. Won't be fixing any time soon, but what say you motor heads?

 

[seafish]

Check for cleanliness and tightness at all positive and negative connections at each battery and also check the condition of your passenger side battery for signs of overheating and/or overcharging. ALso check voltage at each battery with truck running…volatge should be the same at each battery. If signs of overheating and/or different voltages at each battery, problem is likely the crossover cable between the two batteries going bad from internal corrosion. At leas that is where I would start looking on my truck.

 

[RVTRKN]

I'll check for that, but I think it's related to the AC. My suspicion is, it's the clutch solenoid shorting still, that caused the AC clutch to melt down. I hauled my boat out to Parker AZ with the new Tacoma, so it'll have to wait awhile.
I'll post the findings in a couple weeks .

 

[RVTRKN]

Well the batteries are completely dead and are not responding to the charger. This repair has been on hold for awhile due to a pre planed vacation, job change, and money (Mainly due to job change after former employer fired me, when I gave a two week notice). It's a low priority repair, because the 3500 DRW is now only for towing the 5ver and the boat. I can and did tow the boat with the new Tacoma, but that was because the AC issue with the 3500. Looks like it's getting more expensive as time goes by. I'll be pulling the AC compressor next weekend to see what carnage has happened to the AC clutch. I believe the clutch solenoid has caused the battery drain from being shorted out. I just hope my Charging System has survived from the short.

 

[RVTRKN]

Just to update, after AC compressor replacement. Replaced the dead batteries only a year old from Costco, for free. Started truck and it seems fine, code P2509 with check engine light on. P2509 ECM/PCM power input signal intermittent, cleared it and the CEL, all is OK, 13.8 VDC. BTW, the AC works great.

 

[RVTRKN]

Even though no one seems to be reading this, I thought I'd update the one member who posted (LOL). I pm'ed Bob4x4, and asked him if there was a test to check the health of the alternator, and he said to test for ripple as well as output. So I took it to Autozone and it passed all three tests (voltage, diodes and ?, sorry I don't know the last one). However, even though it passed the diode test, my AC voltage at the battery neg and pos posts, shows .7 volts and their tester also indicated the same. I read online, that if checking for AC voltage at the battery posts, anything over .1 (.5 In particular) indicates a bad diode in the alternator. I hope their tester was right. BTW, he did the test on the drivers side battery.

 

[Wayne M.]

Sorry about what you've been going through. Far as the truck goes, it's one of those things that's really hard to check out over the Internet.
The fry you described early on really concerns me.
In my 30 years of doing this stuff, I've never heard anyone checking for AC current in a automotive charging system.
So you claim the DTCS Are gone, the batteries are new, and it's charging 13.8 (where measured)? Sounds like you're good now.

 

[Killgore]

My fingers are crossed for you!
- Ed

 

[RVTRKN]

Thanks Killgore, I feel better now that a tester says my diodes are good.

Wayne M., I was afraid of the fact it was smoking as well, or that it appeared to be smoking. Even though it's not in my signature anymore, my last work truck was a 2014 2500 CTD reg cab, and the dealer tech shorted something on a routine oil change. It came back to me smoking the same way my 07 did. Dodge still has not been able to figure it out, and is now in a lawsuit.

It it seems to be running just fine now with no issues. Here is the link to a blog that I read about the ripple. https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090906101000AAscFuv
Bob4x4 thought I should have it tested for AC ripple, so I googled alternator ripple.

 

[Bob4x4]

http://www.pvv.org/~syljua/merc/TooSeptST07.pdf

 

[RVTRKN]

Thanks for the link Bob, what about the Autozone tester, should I believe it? He only connected it to the drivers side battery.

 

[Bob4x4]

Without knowing the quality of the tester I can't guess.Corporate requires us to use a very pricey machine to verify batteries and test charging systems.

 

[RVTRKN]

Are there rebuild kits with brushes and diodes included?

 

[MMeier]

Check Mr. Bobs site ?

 

[Wayne M.]

http://www.pvv.org/~syljua/merc/TooSeptST07.pdf

I'm never too proud to say I know it all. I knew about testing for ripple, but never realized what ripple was- or see anybody doing it. And that's what sucks about my job- not getting cool pubs to enrich yourself with. Thanks Bob.

 

[RVTRKN]

Check Mr. Bobs site ?

Can you post the link, apparently there are many "Mr. Bobs" sites?

On on a personal note, how are you doing, are you still on road?