2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Electrical Charging & AM Radio Clicking Noise

[TurboTweaker]

Howdy, have 125,000 miles on my 1997 2500 and noticed lately that during idling (sp?) my voltage meter is reading low when I am sitting in traffic, around 12, where usually its arouund 14+ volts. I've also noticed at the same time when listening to an AM radio station and I have my turn signal on I hear a clicking. And finally tonight when I flicked on my high beams for my headlights the right light went off (I have a britebox), but I flicked the high/low beam and it came back on. Also my drive side electric window controls have to be really wiggled before I can open or close my windows.



Anyone with a Clue Email me.

 

[BK]

it sounds as if you have a few different problems.



tired alternator - or maybe a bad diode.



a bad switch in the door.



a bad bright box OR connection.

 

[Mundgyver]

Ditto on the diode as a probable cause. As long as your checking the alternator, you might as well get the batteries checked for piece of mind. Good luck.

 

[TurboTweaker]

Will look into the bad diode. How?

Batteries should be ok since I installed the red-top gell interstate batteries last fall, so I'll look into the bad diode.



Any ideas how to test it?



Thanks in advance



GOrdy

 

[BK]

Either you have to take the alternator apart and check each diode with a VOM or DVM... or

the best thing todo is bring it to the local auto store that can bench test the 0utput of the alternator... means you have to take it off... .

but if it cant' keep 13. 5vdc @ idle with normal day time loads... . but at 2000 rpm it comes up to 13. 5vdc or better... . good chance it's a diode or winding.

 

[DavidGardner]

Check your battery cables where they connect to the battery. had a similar problem on a different vehicle and the problem was corroded battery conections causing a poor ground. Worth a check before you start rebuilding alternators ect.

 

[TurboTweaker]

Found My Problem After replacing Alternator

Well just a follow up. I replaced the alternator with a new one from NAPA, checked the batteries as well. Did all this early this summer. Result ~ no difference, was still charging around 12~13 volts.



So I figured I had a drain somewhere in the system.



Found the problem yesterday! My Britebox, which I installed a long long time ago, was failing and shorting. I found out by coming into a truck stop and shut off the truck and lights ~ it was 5:00am, Still dark out yet here. Well as I went into the store, my headlights were still "ON". I went back to the truck to turn off my lights, and found out they were off (not so old I guess). Well I lifted the hood and unplugged the britebox and bypassed it. Presto, my lights went off, and my system was charging ~ 14 volts again.



Solution, if you have a Britebox, check it after 2 years, could be causing some problems. Found the third pin on it was fryed.