Need help, non diesel.

[BDW]

I need some help with the wife's car. It's an 06 dodge stratus and the problem is with the charging system. It seems to be heat related. In the morning I can drive the car 25 miles to work without a problem. In the afternoon after about 10 miles or so the battery light will come. I have verified that it does charge when the light is out and does not when the light is on. I can turn off the car and start it again and the light will be off. Today with the temp close to 100, we traveled about 6 miles before it came on.I reset and went an addional 25 to our destination. On the way home I stopped 4 times before making it home. Each time it would come on a little quicker. Is there a thermal switch somewhere in the system? I have traced out all the wires in the system looking for a short to ground with no luck.

 

[mwilson]

See if it has a decoupling Pulley on the alternator. Any strange noises?

 

[B.G. Smith]

Don't know about the cars but the Rams have a temp. sensor under the battery. Also have learned recently that some Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge vehicles have a ADP pulley on the alternators. This allows the alternator to coast down when the engine is turned off instead of stopping abruptly. bg

 

[B.G. Smith]

You type faster than me Mike. bg

 

[mwilson]

Pretty good for old fat thumbs, eh?

 

[BDW]

See if it has a decoupling Pulley on the alternator. Any strange noises?

Looks like a standard pulley to me. No strange or new noises either. I drove it into work this morning with no issues. Outside temp about 80 degrees F. I bought a shop manual for 02 to 06 but all it shows 02 wiring diagrams which is not exactly what I have.

 

[mwilson]

How many miles on that Stratus???

 

[BDW]

How many miles on that Stratus???

177K miles or so.

 

[B.G. Smith]

If you can see the nut that secures the pulley then it's not ADP. Look closely at the belt and pulley, if the belt and or pulley is worn enough that the belt v's hit the bottom of the grooves in the pulley it will slip. If that is the case, the bottom of the grooves will be shiny. bg

 

[MarkEkberg]

Looks like a standard pulley to me. No strange or new noises either. I drove it into work this morning with no issues. Outside temp about 80 degrees F. I bought a shop manual for 02 to 06 but all it shows 02 wiring diagrams which is not exactly what I have.

They are all clutch pulley's now a days. As stated above a couple times, it is likely the culprit. Had to change them on both our minivans, but it always came with noise.

 

[BDaugherty]

Buy a single vehicle subscription from AllData. It will have everything you need and be specific to your car. Haynes/ chilton manuals are nearly worthless unless your sofa has a short leg that needs propping... I don't do automotive, but most Chrysler alternators are pcm controlled and corroded or damaged wiring can really confuse things.

 

[BDW]

update
Car finnally quit charging and was able to determine a fualty alternator.

 

[mwilson]

Glad that you got it figured out Brian!!!

Have a great Labor Day Weekend!!