2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Electrical problem

[alaskan diesel]

The amp gauge takes awhile to get to 14 from 8 then fluctuates the head lights will dim and brighten. I thought the alt was bad so I replaced the alt (Bosch) and both batteries but it still does the same thing. Now I can't keep the batteries charged for more than a day. Last time I used the truck it ran normal and when I shut it off the radio made a what the heck was that noise, a high pitch squeal and lots of cracklings. I just had to charge the batteries for 8 hours just to move the truck. Any help would be great. Thanks! The truck is a 99 with 190,000.

 

[DavidC]

Amp/Volt gauge fluctuating is usually the intake grid heaters kicking on and off, normal operation. Now the batteries dieing, maybe the grid heater contactors are bad energizing the heaters continually ?. What was the temperature when all this was going on ?.

Dave

 

[davemac]

Maybe ya got a short in your radio, try pulling the fuse & see if your problem clears up

 

[BigPapa]

I'm with Dave, it's normal when it's cold with the grid heater cycling. I'd put the old alternator back on and take the batteries back for a good load test.

 

[JR]

Is the altenator charging the batts while the truck is running or are the batteries going dead only after the truck is shut off? Sounds like theres a deeper issue if youve got new batteries and alt and theyre still discharging. Altenator gets the charging signal from the pcm, have you checked for any codes?
Of course it is possible to have gotten a bad part, just because theyre new. If you can drive the truck back to where you purchased everything they should be able to do a load test for you

 

[alaskan diesel]

Amp/Volt gauge fluctuating is usually the intake grid heaters kicking on and off, normal operation. Now the batteries dieing, maybe the grid heater contactors are bad energizing the heaters continually ?. What was the temperature when all this was going on ?.



Dave

Here in our part of alaska the winter temps are between 0 and 30degrees. It used to take an hour or two to charge up but now it requires at least eight hr.

 

[alaskan diesel]

Yes there are codes. I will have to charge batteries so I can get them. We could drive the truck into town and it would start every time even the next day but if you let it sit for two or four days nothing. Last time the truck was in the shop it had a bad speed sensor and the guy said that the actuator arm was stuck at 50 percent and that might be the code showing up. I will get back to you with the codes. Thanks for all your help!