Archived Calling all Mechanics

[RVTRKN]

WTF, went in for only a oil change with the 2014 at local dealer, get it back showing Batt light on. They find a loose + batt terminal on passenger side with the oil change tech stating he tested the batteries. Dont get out of the area and smelling burning, return and they say alternator cooked, left it there and they changed the Alternator. Report comes back the Altenator now OK & not over heating but it isnt charging and throwing codes. They need it for a day or two now. How can a simple oil change cause this, what could the tech have done to cause it? Of coarse they deny any of it, but it is under warranty.

 

[Bob4x4]

Did they short the alternator terminal with the filter or wrench?

 

[RVTRKN]

I think thats the possibility, but they say if Batt was shorted it would have taken a fuse only. I think someone is going to get there ash handed to them if not already. What are the possible issues if that happens? Shorting the alternator is not the same as Batt?

 

[Simplysmn]

What dealer did you take it too Steve ?

 

[Tuesdak]

Not a fuse: a fusible link. Keeps the truck from burning down if the diodes short or something hits the alternator and shorts it out. Load is too high for a fuse. So shorting the battery terminal on the back of the alternator can dump 1600 cranking amps through the charge wire that has a fusible link burning it in half and related surges can blow the alternator diodes out esp. if it was running at the time. Diodes can be damaged and still work for a day or two before they fail. Most common to see the diodes fail the next day after having a jump start and the drained battery charged by an alternator.

http://www.whiteproducts.com/fusible-faqs.shtml

So they likely need to fix the harness by replacing the fusible link and then deal with any other 'fallout' on integrated power modules etc.

Why was the lube flunky testing batteries? Not there but it's the impression you gave.

 

[Ozymandias]

That burning smell was possibly the fusible link.

 

[RVTRKN]

What dealer did you take it too Steve ?

Ontario Chrylser dealer

 

[RVTRKN]

Don't know why they tested Batteries, except probably a courtesy inspection they do for oil changes. There was an inspection report given to me.

 

[BIGNASTY]

RV

Don't think im making lite of your situation but , AIN'T ALL THIS TECHNOLOGY GREAT!!!!

Hope you get it all worked out.

BIG

 

[RVTRKN]

Unfortunately your right about that, but it is the way of the future. After the responses here, the Lube Flunky probably shorted the Alt. Gee, I wonder whats in the future thats not that far off, when the Vehicles become like a disposible diaper. My 07 regen glitch was caused by an ECM update in 09, that I'm still trying to figure out, without the dealer support because its out of warranty. I looked at "my" perfect 2016 3500 DRW while waiting for the oil change/screw up, to rplace the 07 C&C, and the deal after rebates is 52K. Thats just an SLT trim with a little comfort.

 

[CRodi]

Ontario Chrylser dealer

Just curious. Ontario California or Ontario Canada?

 

[RVTRKN]

Ontario in SoCal

 

[BIGNASTY]

Unfortunately your right about that, but it is the way of the future. After the responses here, the Lube Flunky probably shorted the Alt. Gee, I wonder whats in the future thats not that far off, when the Vehicles become like a disposible diaper. My 07 regen glitch was caused by an ECM update in 09, that I'm still trying to figure out, without the dealer support because its out of warranty. I looked at "my" perfect 2016 3500 DRW while waiting for the oil change/screw up, to rplace the 07 C&C, and the deal after rebates is 52K. Thats just an SLT trim with a little comfort.

RV its the way of the future IMO. When I worked they needed some mechanics so they hired a few, some good some weren't. The ones that just absolutely blew me away were the ones that had attended one of the "Pay for Your Certificate" schools like UTI or Wrench Masters some crap that you Pay for a Diploma that YOUR GOING TO GET even if you know NOTHING!!

The company didn't want the drivers to do anything mechanical on the trucks, Which IMO was a good thing. Most of the drivers weren't any better with their pay for your license schools.

I took my truck in after a shift and asked to have the brakes adjusted, the stupid "A" got under the truck and said that they cant be adjusted. I could see the linings and asked why? they have "Self Adjusting" Slack adjusters!!! At that time Self Adjusters were a joke. I asked the kid so what are you going to do? he said put on new brake linings!!

An Older Wrench came over told the kid to take is multi thousand dollar took box with all the shiny tools that HAD NEVER BEEN USED and get the hell out from under the truck, He did what was needed.

Another time I had a compressor that kept setting off the air tank pop-off valve, I took it to the shop and asked to look into it. The wrench was going to put on a New BW double lung-er compressor. I suggested that he take a look at the unloader valves for about $10.00 rather than replace the compressor. IF THEY CANT FIX THE PROBLEM WITH A REMOVE & REPLACE WITH A LIKE ITEM they just haven't a clue as to how to rebuild ANYTHING.

No Practical experience OR common sense is the problem with most today, DRIVERS Included Probably EVEN MORE SO. (but that's another post)

As far as equipment lasting that's something that has to be a Manufacture's plan on selling trucks. My first wagon had well over a Million miles on it when I bought it, I wont say how many miles I put on it in the years I was an O/O (I've grown tired of arguments with the above mentioned Einstein's) Motors and transmissions IF treated like something more than a Homo Erects where we were able to walk on our hind legs to the truck rather than crawl on all fours. Motors could last a Million Miles with minor problems more like maint. issues than problems, Transmissions the same thing. Now guys I know that have their own trucks find it hard to attain 500K without some MAJOR problems, Cabs falling apart trucks today are just TRASH!!

Ya!!!!! sign me up for Technology

 

[RVTRKN]

It's mostly due to a shortage of qualified mechanics, that caused my issue, they get the low man on the Totem pole to do oil changes. This one apparently has learned, or hopefully learned, a valuable lesson. If it we're my personal truck I would take it all in stride. But I'm not the owner, just the driver, so of coarse if it all goes well, then I made a good decision, if crap happens then I have to deal with service writers and the owner. As I got yesterday, I was questioned as to why I took it there, knowing I had customer service issues in the past.
For $65.00 it was a good decision, in the owners eyes, but then it was a bad decision because some Rookie screwed it up. I guess you can't win sometimes.

I was looking over my 07 AC clutch this AM (another tread) and noticed how close the alternator was to the oil filter, yup, I believe the Rookie shorted the alternator.

 

[Tuesdak]

Difference between the rookie and experienced seasoned tech. The seasoned tech will only short the alternator long enough to mark up the tool or part that hit it without blowing the link. And if they do blow it will be able to quickly fix it and sweep it under the rug.

New tech has nothing to do with the link unless you are referring to Generators being replaced with fragile diode alternators. :-laf Regulators are a different point contact part that became electronic then part of the alternator later part of the ECM.

 

[Bob4x4]

It's all about the money.......

 

[Regcabguy]

I'm dreading taking mine into the dealer for the Takata death airbag recall. The last time they killed the ECM doing the K01 emissions reflash. In all fairness,the tech seemed very conscientious. The service manager admitted the reflash procedure was causing problems frequently.

 

[Bob4x4]

R 25? piece a cake in and out.we're doing them by the pallet load

 

[RVTRKN]

Well it's still not fixed and another day of lost wages. WTF, statements like we had to put it back in rotation because the alternator fix didn't work. ITS THEIR FREAKING FAULT MY TRUCK IS DOWN. Why do I now have to wait again? What a screwed up way to run a dealership. What a great business model, screw up your truck, then blame you for owning it and having to beg for service. ITS THE LAST TIME I GO THERE.

 

[Bob4x4]

Is moss any better............