2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Big draw in the morning.

[WDaniels]

I've got a problem and hope someone out there can help. The last couple of days, when I leave for work in the morning(and it only happens in the morning)my alternator will only charge at about 13. 15 going down the road and when you let the RPM's go to idle it will dip to 11. 25 volts, or less. I get to work and the alternator is quite hot to the touch. (it's a 200 amp and 35 miles to work)I plug the truck in at work and when I go home, it's a normal charge, the voltage stays up and the alt is cool to the touch when I get home. The only thing different is that I don't use the headlights going home and I've plugged the truck in all day and the engine is warm.

It isn't the grids. It only does that before it's warmed up or until I reach 20mph. I can see the grids draw on the ammeter below 20mph. There is something else that is drawing a lot from the alt to make it hot but for the life of me I can't figure it out. And, I can't find my factory book either.

So, if anyone has any ideas, please let em rip. Any and all help is appreciated.

WD

 

[COWBOYDUALLY]

WDaniels,

by chance is it crankin hard? gotta be carefull with issues like this if its not getting correct ampers its havoc on the starters. I didnt have the same troubles with my ride as you do but i just installed the 1000Cold Cranking amp dry cells (A LITTLE PRICEY) thing startes better now... . sorry not alot of ideas but keep us informed, im kinda curious about this issue... . Jeremy

 

[B.G. Smith]

You could have a battery going bad and after it sits at home (longer than at work?) and the starter is working harder since the engine is colder (not plugged in at home) and with the lights on going to work, the alternator is having to work much harder. bg

 

[WDaniels]

CBDullay and BGSmith,

Batteries are new and the truck in in a heated garage during the night. It cranks just like always, good. Today it was fine. I'm beginning to think that it is the alternator itself.

WD

 

[FourBarR]

is it possible that the starter solnoid is sticking on after start? put your hand on the starter when it does this if its smoking hot !!

 

[scotmartin]

Try unplugging the intake heater relays once it is running. You might have them stuck on.



Scot

 

[Tardog]

Mr. Daniels,



It's probably the huge draw the heater and fan assembly is pulling trying to keep you warm up there in North (sorry , couldn't resist :-laf ), I'm thinking the other members have this one sorta figured out, Either something is sticking causing a large draw, or the Alt is head somewhere warmer. What about pulling the alt and bench testing it first thing in the AM. This will isolate this part of your puzzle quickly. If that is not possible what about starting the truck then disconnecting one piece a day, like one battery or even the Alt itself (processs of elimination) and driving each day with each piece disconnected. not sure if this will throw codes?" Good Luck

 

[WDaniels]

FourBarR,

I just upgraded the starter contacts with Larry B's a year or so ago. The starter is working fine. Cold to the touch.

scotmartin,

Hello Scot, That is the next thing to do but I don't think that is the problem. They draw so much current that I can see it when they do draw, even when the rpm's are up, the ammeter would show about 8 volts during the draw.

Tardog,

The alt is almost brand new. Got it from Mean Green out of Penn, I think. Has an unconditional guarrentee for 3 years if you don't race your rig.

Yesterday and today it worked as advertised. Except that the charge it was throwing was close to 15 volts if not more. It shouldn't be that much. That is what makes me think it is the alt. First it undercharges if the r's are not up around 1500 then next it overcharges going down the road. Have to call the company that built it again.

WD

P. S. Did I ever mention that I hate chasing sparks! :{ #@$%!