Imformation Requested,

[LSchick]

Does any member know the location of a good Altenator rebuilder, electrical shop or garage ,am not looking for an exchange just wish to have mine rebuilt as it appears it may be failing takes about 10 to 15 blocks driving before the voltage starts to remain constant etc. Am located in the Phoenix and Casa Grande area of Arizona. There must be some excellent rebuilders around I just don't know where they are located . Appreciate the help.

 

[Shovelhead]

Does it do this only after starting on a cool morning?



If so that is normal for the Cummins.

It is caused by the high amp draw from the intake tract grid heaters that we use instead of the glow plug systems of other manufacturers.

The circuit is controled by engine temps, time, and MPH.



See here for a better explaination:

Frequently Asked Questions

 

[John Berger]

Once you get up to about 20 mph and/or the doors lock, the grid heaters should stop cycling and the truck should act normal.

 

[rono]

10-4 on what's been said. My voltage stay low and lights dim for a while after starting, expecially on cold mornings.

ron

 

[Bill Lins]

You might have Keith check it @ Diesel Electric Service in Casa Grande.

 

[LSchick]

Thanks for the Imf.

I'm inclined to believe this is the problem at times,however it has never acted this way before, always came up slow and steady without the windshield wiper affect. The other thing is the engine r. p. m. increases when the voltage drops on the gauge ,the r. p. m should show a decrease if the heaters are cycling on etc. I notice this on idle when first starting and watching the gauges. Yesterday the outside temp. was at 67 and when i started the truck there was very little of the wind. wiper effect and the voltage gauge stayed constant very quickly. The Alt. is probably OK as it should have failed by now if it was faulty. I just hate these x@#%&* electrical problems as i still have the electrical problem I posted earlier. My sincere thanks for all the replies and the location requested in Casa Grande. Will advise when I have this solved .

 

[LSchick]

Thanks for the Imf.

I'm inclined to believe this is the problem at times,however it has never acted this way before, always came up slow and steady without the windshield wiper affect. The other thing is the engine r. p. m. increases when the voltage drops on the gauge ,the r. p. m should show a decrease if the heaters are cycling on etc. I notice this on idle when first starting and watching the gauges. Yesterday the outside temp. was at 67 and when i started the truck there was very little of the wind. wiper effect and the voltage gauge stayed constant very quickly. The Alt. is probably OK as it should have failed by now if it was faulty. I just hate these x@#%&* electrical problems as i still have the electrical problem I posted earlier. My sincere thanks for all the replies and the location requested in Casa Grande. Will advise when I have this solved .

 

[rono]

Negative on the rpm decrease. When the alternator loades this will cause the engine rpm to increase to maintain the correct idle speed.

Ron

 

[Alan Reagan]

Something else you may consider is your batteries. I've noticed on my 98 and my 01 that as the batteries start to get a little "weary" they tend to pull down a lot lower and are really slow to come back up to full charge. Everything else you've described sounds normal.

 

[LSchick]

Installed brand new batteries 2 weeks ago fully charged ,yesterday no problem at all everything worked as it had before My thanks for the replies. (the batteries i took out the original ones loaded tested perfect and i still have them)