Charging issues

[Mark.Smith]

I was traveling up the interstate and the voltmeter showed 14.5 volts, normal for the truck. I looked at the gauges and the voltmeter showed about 12. Load or no load made no difference. Would anyone have any ideas on what to check?

 

[brillmtb]

Interesting as often now my aftermarket radio will go out and I notice the voltmeter well below 12 then it comes up later. I dont know if there is a load issue or my alternator is not working properly

 

[p-Bar]

I would put a stand alone voltmeter on and monitor it . The stock gauges are much to be desired.

 

[lpennock]

Interesting as often now my aftermarket radio will go out and I notice the voltmeter well below 12 then it comes up later. I dont know if there is a load issue or my alternator is not working properly

Cross over cable. These trucks charge passenger side battery but regulate and heat sense on drivers side battery. Running with bad crossover cable will fry the passenger battery.

 

[brillmtb]

I have not changed the stock config. Also, my radio goes out so I think my stock gauge is correct when it shows voltage drop. The qeustion is why

 

[PWong]

I have not changed the stock config. Also, my radio goes out so I think my stock gauge is correct when it shows voltage drop. The qeustion is why

Have a multimeter ready.
When you see voltage drop from your stock gauge, jump under the hood and take the reading of the driver side battery voltage and passenger side battery voltage, between their positive post and negative post.
Your stock gauge would show the correct driver side voltage when there was no grid heater in operation.
If both batteries read low then you have battery issue or alternator issue.
If driver side battery reads low and passenger side battery reads high then you have BAD electrical connections on your battery and charging system including grounds.

 

[Mark.Smith]

I was traveling up the interstate and the voltmeter showed 14.5 volts, normal for the truck. I looked at the gauges and the voltmeter showed about 12. Load or no load made no difference. Would anyone have any ideas on what to check?

Took the truck to the dealer for diagnostics and they told me that the alternator was bad. Took the truck home and replaced the alternator and it made no difference. Batteries tested 11 volts with my volt meter, and the alternator gets HOT when the truck is running. I'll have both batteries load tested and then try a new crossover cable. Pisses me off to pay for diagnostics and its wrong.

 

[lpennock]

Alt getting bot is sign of excessive current draw. Try disconnecring your vrid beater.

 

[p-Bar]

Alt getting bot is sign of excessive current draw. Try disconnecring your vrid beater.

Translation disconnect heater grid .

 

[Mark.Smith]

I did that and it made no difference. Drove the truck to work today and the voltage was normal and then started to overcharge +/- 15 volts. I'm about to throw the biggest hammer I have in the tool box right through the windshield!! I'm not real good at electrical problems!!

 

[p-Bar]

did you disconnect batteries and check voltage on each? maybe a bad cell in one battery

 

[lpennock]

Translation disconnect heater grid .

Thanks. Joy of responding from phone.

 

[Mark.Smith]

Took the truck to the dealer for diagnostics and they told me that the alternator was bad. Took the truck home and replaced the alternator and it made no difference. Batteries tested 11 volts with my volt meter, and the alternator gets HOT when the truck is running. I'll have both batteries load tested and then try a new crossover cable. Pisses me off to pay for diagnostics and its wrong.

Well I fired it up this morning and the damn thing works! Don't know why but it is. Both batteries tested good under load. Hope what ever happened keeps happening!

 

[Crunch]

Well I fired it up this morning and the damn thing works! Don't know why but it is. Both batteries tested good under load. Hope what ever happened keeps happening!

If you are considering replacing the crossover cable or other battery cables, check this thread, page 17:

How long have your factory batteries lasted?

There is some good information regarding reasonably priced cables and military grade terminals from McMaster-Carr. Start with seafish's post about half way down the page

 

[Crunch]

Well I fired it up this morning and the damn thing works! Don't know why but it is. Both batteries tested good under load. Hope what ever happened keeps happening!

If you are considering replacing the crossover cable or other battery cables, check this thread, page 17:

How long have your factory batteries lasted?

There is some good information regarding reasonably priced cables and military grade terminals from McMaster-Carr. Start with seafish's post about half way down the page. OEM cables from Dodge are very expensive (probably $300-$400 for a complete set), and are probably barely long enough to reach the batteries, especially if you are using Optimas or other brand of batteries.

 

[JBain]

I want to thank all involved in this thread as it saved me a lot of time and frustration knowing the voltage was monitored on the driver side. Cleaned and tightened connectors and problem solved. Thanks!!!