Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Volt meter read zero

[TboneMan]

We have been having some monster snows and winds over the past few weeks.



I was driving down the road yesturday cutting through some 2 foot deep drifts. Well, needless to say, snow was getting into the engine compartment. I then hear the ding of an idiot light coming on and the "check guage" light is on. I look at the volt meter and it is dropping and stops at zero.



Truck is still ran fine, all other guages were normal, I had lights, radio, and vent fan.



I only needed to drive another 1/2 mile to my destination, so I continued. Once there, I took a chance and shut the truck down. I then waited a few seconds and started the truck back up.



The idiot light was OFF and the volt meter registered appropriate current levels.



My guess is that some snow got into the alternator and shorted something, but everything seems fine after that initial restart.



Has anyone experienced this behavior before?



FYI. I have not yet check to see if any codes were set. I happened to be going to my fire station so, I pulled the truck in and opened the hood and let the snow melt.

 

[Deadbus]

Voltmeter dove for zero

TboneMan-



It just happened to me too, right after Superbowl. This is the 5th time and now the stealer is putting in the 3rd alternator. I am in the Navy and tend to travel quite abit as part of my job. #1 was in LA, #2 in NY, and #3 is gonna be in San Diego. The grounding strap gets red hot and sometimes I can smell something burning in the Cab. Stealers just keep replacing the alternator and trimming back on the strap to put a new end on it.



I called Chrysler last night and told them this was BS. The truck isn't even 2 years old yet. I don't know about Lemon Laws or if this qualifies, maybe someone with more knowledge can help me out.



Conditions each time: warm weather (60+), dry roads (highway and in town), ocurred within 10mins of start up, except #2 alt was about an hour later. I change my own oil, so I know the strap wrench never hit the grounding terminal. Both batteries appear to be good(neither has discharged over night). After truck shuts down, the condition clears, but sometimes comes back. Voltmeter may flucuate between 12 and 14volts.



This really sucks, because I need to head back to NY on the 31st.



Vin