Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Weird alt. problem...

[Milo Pig]

The last couple of days it has been pretty cold here in central Texas (mid 20's in the am). On these cold morning start ups the volts read really low at first then will start pulsating from 11v to 14v, and can hear the fuel pump pulsating in sinc to the volt gauge. After truck warms for about 5 minutes the volt gauge is on a steady 14v with no issues. Is this normal for really cold start ups or is there something I need to test.



Thanks,

Sean

 

[nps]

It's normal. It is the heater grids under the airhorn cycling on and off.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Yes, normal. What you are seeing is the inlet air heaters for the engine cycling on and off. They do this when the inlet air is below 60 deg. F They cut off when the air is above 60 or you reach a certain mph, about 18 I think. i

 

[Milo Pig]

Good to hear, thanks a bunch fellas.



Sean

 

[dzldodge]

This is why the TDR is so great. I noticed my truck doing the same thing. A quick search and I get my answer. Thanks

 

[r strickland]

my '01 does the same thing and i always kind of wandered that too!! thanks!!! i have just been starting to plug mine up at nights, i live up in the moutains and it drops to the teens and single digits every night almost and i thought it would heat the water up enough to have a little heat as soon as you cranked it up!!! don't get me wrong, it cranks as soon as you can turn the key, i was just wandering if my connections are dirty or is that as warm as it gets?



thanks

Spencer