Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Charging system

[KKunz]

I have been getting a P-01682 (charging system voltage to low). Is this probably my alternator? Batteries are less than a month old, I really don’t notice any symptoms going on I just want to fix it before some thing go out and leaves me stranded.

 

[KKunz]

Just thought I would add that the gauge is reading 12-13 volts at idle

 

[Cummins724]

I'd say get the alternator tested..... it is probably bad.

 

[ACoyle]

Put a volt meter across the batteries with the engine off. S/B about 11. 5V. Start the truck and do it again. S/B about 13V.



If that is OK the Alt is doing it,s job.



Did you have this problem before battery replacement? If not, it could be a bad cell in a new battery.



If you go back where you got the batteries, they should be able to load test the wholw system.



AC

 

[JAG1]

I hope I'm right cause I only read about this... ..... that alternators do not usually go out gradually, they almost always go out at once. I had two auto electric shops tell me I needed a new alt. Both were wrong when I went to my dealer and found out it was the crankcase position sensor that went out. Btw, don't get an aftermarket type alt (if that is what's wrong), I heard the serpentine belt doesn't line up exactly, unless you go the same Nippon Denso alt.



Another time I did my own testing and found that the problem was corroded grounding from the alt. I ended up cleaning every connection I could find , and my problem was gone.

 

[OL RATLR]

I have been getting a P-01682 (charging system voltage to low). Is this probably my alternator? Batteries are less than a month old, I really don’t notice any symptoms going on I just want to fix it before some thing go out and leaves me stranded.

Was you getting this code before you changed batteries?

 

[KKunz]

I’m beginning to think that it is something other than the alternator charging 14volts at about 2000rpm. I don’t believe I was getting the code before the battery change, it had been a while since checking codes.