2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Gauges die, then truck dies. Need help please.

[c-hawk]

I'm posting this for a friend. He just got his first Cummins truck a week or so ago. He's selling his 2000 powerstroke to pay for it.



This morning, he said he got in the truck, and the check gauges light wouldn' t go out. He noticed that the voltage was only at about 10 instead of 14.



He had to run up to the store, and on the way back, he lost all instrumentation. All the warning lights came on at this time. The truck would miss and sputter like it was getting no fuel, then all of a sudden it would have more power, but still sounded "bad". He said that if he put a load on the electrical system, the motor would get ready to die. like if he turned the a/c on, or tried to roll down the window.



After a few miles, he pulled over and it died completely. won't turn over at all.



A little more info. Truck had a comp, the pump wire was just tapped a few days ago. i could see a dead injection pump causing the truck to miss and die, but the rest of the symptoms don't make sense. I'm thinking maybe an alternator going out could cause all these symptoms?



Any info would be appreciated. I'm hope he doesn't need to take the for sale sign out of the ford and put it in the dodge.



Thanks,

Chris

 

[Philip]

He said that if he put a load on the electrical system, the motor would get ready to die. like if he turned the a/c on, or tried to roll down the window.

You answered your own question. Check the charging system. The truck is computer controled. If the charging system dies. When the battery drops to around 9 volts. The computer shuts down.

 

[c-hawk]

Thanks.



I'm going to be out of town for the next week or so. I'll post about it when i get back. Hopefully he'll have it figured out by then.



Chris

 

[JB @ C and L Machine]

I would load test the batteries 1st.

 

[Ron Bissett]

As others stated ,then pull battery's and clean and charge them up if they charge then replace them in truck and with amp meeter check amps and or volts . Ground and post clean ? How old are the battery's and alternator . Ron Bissett in Metro Louisville KY

 

[Dane]

Ditto,

But I'd add -



Load check the battery. The charging system may be good, but the battery(s) may not be able to hold the charge.



Battery cables are prime suspects also.



Go over the Comp install and look for bad grounds, shorts etc...

 

[c-hawk]

Thanks everyone.

It was the batteries that caused the problem. He had them load tested and there was a bad cell. This also ended up blowing the 140amp (i think that's what he said) fuse for the alternator. It is running very well now.



I would like to thank Scott (Proram) for his time in helping my friend figure out his problem. Thanks to everyone else as well.



Later,

Chris

 

[crabman]

c-hawk,

Thanks for posting the FIX!!

The info my help other TDR members.

crabman