2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Generator?

[Majjoe]

It was 15 degrees here in WV this morning. Went out to start my truck to go to church. Let the truck warmup for 10-15 minutes. Started down the road - a mile down the road the gage light/alarm went off and I noted that the generator gage wasn't registering anything. I lost power to the heater and the headlights didn't work. I drove down the road a few miles and turned around and went home. Put the truck in the garage and shut off the engine. I restarted the engine and the generator gage slightly flickered and finally it started to show that it was charging. I ran the engine at approx. 1200 RPM for 10 minutes and the gage showed it was charging normal. Can anyone enlighten me on this happening. Is there a relay that may have malfunctioned and then started working normally? I'm at a loss - I initially thought the generator was going bad, but I''m not sure about that now. Thanks for any input members may have on this subject. The truck is a 2001 RAM 2500 with 101,000 miles on it. Also, I did not have the block heater activated.

 

[mini14]

this will happen if your batts r old, they dicharge so much to heat the grid heaters, and when the grids cycle they still pull high amps, if the batts are low it will set the check gauges lamp and the voltmeter reads real low. happens to me every day its cold, when i replace with new batts it stops, currently going on 6 year old batts. When the grid heaters stop cycling everything is reading normal.

 

[HHhuntitall]

Your guage wasn't registering anything at all? Wait a sec... . a little more info, please... was the tach and speedo working? Other guages?

 

[mini14]

how old are your batterys ? . Are your terminal connections corroded ? this is where u should start first. this is usually how i know i need new batteries,my gauge will read zero when the grids come on.

 

[Majjoe]

Yes, the gage wasn't showing anything. I'm checking the batteries right now. I ran the DTC codes and it is showing code P1682 (Charging system voltage too low) and P1693 (DTC detected in ECM or PCM). I have also checked with a long time Dodge mechanic and gave him these codes. He immediately said I have a bad battery(s). The batteries are the Optima (Red Top) and are only a little over three years old. I sure was hoping those batteries would last longer than that, but that may very well be my problem. Thanks guys. Joe

 

[rkressg]

Depending on the number of miles, it could be the brushes shorting out on your alt. Last year, my my truck did something similar, where the voltage gauge just dropped off to nothing (whole way to the left). I pulled apart the Alt, and the brushes were worn completely away.

$15 for a new set of brushes, and I have not had the issue return.

 

[mdilling]

Something else to check. How old is the belt ? Put a socket or wrench on the alt nut and see if you can slip the belt. Maybe on high drain the belt is slipping.

 

[fox]

Mine did that 5-6 time a few years ago and hasn't done it since.

Maybe tomorrow!

I just learned to restart it and all was fine.