Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) electrical problem

[holley allison]

I have a 2000 2500 about every other day volts will drop to zero if you stop and turn key off then restart everything is okay for aday or two I have replaced 3 alternators any help I can get would be great

 

[BILLVO]

The next time the volt meter drops to 0 keep it running and have a shop check to verify that the alternator is still charging. This can be done with an ampmeter. Or if you have access to a multimeter check the battery terminal at back of alternator it should be about 12. 5 volts or a little higher and stay in that range with all lights on and fan on high- this is to put a load on the alt. . It sounds more like a bad gauge or loose connection rather than a bad alternater. Have the batteries ever gone dead as a result of this or not?

 

[Dane]

Sounds like a bad ground or battery cable. Start at the batterys and work your way to the ground straps. Don't just look at them, you have to take each one off and look closely. Don't forget to check in the power center on the driver side engine compartment. If you find a corroded spot, you're probably at the problem.

 

[holley allison]

If you do not shut the truck off and reset, like explained in first question, after a few minutes the truck shuts down, and the battery is dead.

 

[Leathl_WS6]

did you ever resolve this problem I am having a similar problem...

 

[2-ND TIME]

electrical problems

Sorry I am too tired to answer this properly!! But Q /One What is the terminal voltage of each of the batteries? do the batteries need water in any of the cells? Measure the post to terminal voltage to see if there is a potential difference? Q/2 Do you get a code from any of these?/ If it takes a key to recycle the ECM ? Don't know if any of this will help? Hope so.

 

[Leathl_WS6]

my voltage at each battery is 12 just sitting. When I start it it slowly goes down. I'm pretty sure my problem is in the alternator. I am putting a full charge on the batteries tonight. I'll do some more checking it the morning. I disconnected the grid hearter relay assembly to be sure that was not stealing all of my power. The voltage still drops even with that disconnected.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Sounds like one battery has a intermittent internal shorted cell that is dragging the other battery down with it - batteries in decent shape and with a decent charge should NOT drop their charge to the point of the engine shutting down in just a few minutes time, especially if the grid heaters aren't activated...



How old are the batteries?

 

[Hitec.Redneck]

Change the batteries. I had the exact same problem, replaced both batteries and no problems since.

 

[CTD 600]

I'm going thru this same problem. I already replaced the batteries and it worked until the new batteries ran out of juice. My voltmeter and temp. gauge don't work and everything leads back to a bad alternator. I'm replacing the alternator and will let ya know if it solved the problem. Hope So!