Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) White smoke

[SpicyJam]

Well it is not white smoke out the exhaust, saw it coming from under the hood. The alternator is smoking like a sick VP out the exhaust pipe. Stinks to high well... ... ... ..... hmmmmmmmmmm wonder where I can pick one up on a Sunday? Guess I could wait till monday... ... ... ... anybody else ever seen thier alternator go up in smoke... ... ... ... BTW the only code set right now is low voltage to the APPs.

 

[MKoth]

Napa or Car Quest should have a standard replacement alternator on hand.

 

[SpicyJam]

Well I didn't pick one up yet, but I did call a few folks on why it would smoke the way it does. Nobody including myself has ever seen an alternator do this, I mean it has melted the varnish off the windings, no longer are they gold copper wire, they are dark gray. Still would like to know if anyone has seen one do this before? Peter from Fixinrams.com has never seen one do it, and is curious as to why it would have. As am I... ... ..... and no I have run my truck since the smoke show, that is the last thing I need is a voltage spike and poof there goes the computer... ... ... ... later Jim.

 

[CSnyder]

Jim, I have also never heard of such a thing but I have a possible reason for this happening. I have heard thru the grapevine that your truck runs HIGH HP and I'm willing to bet that it has seen some radical RPM's and this could have possibly been the reason why the windings maybe let go and shorted out causing it to smoke like you describe. I could see where lots of WOT and releases in its life could be the death of the windings in the alternator. I have seen a air compressor electric motor smoke white when it failed and I assume all the hard quick starts and stops in its life caused it. I would just buy another one and keep on keeping on.



Chris

 

[SpicyJam]

I don't know if that really has any thing to do with it Chris, 4000 RPM is not a whole lot of spinning, but I do know it is a dead short internal, and really not worried about it. Worse part of the whole deal is that I drove my daughters Jeep today, and what a slow little thing. First gasser I have drove in some time, guess I don't miss them, although it was very quiet, but it just felt broken, that inline 6 in the Jeep is just not the same... ... ... ... . lol. Later Jim.

 

[SpicyJam]

Well I got around to taking it off tonight. Well this is what I found. The hot wire that bolts to the back of my Bosch alternator was worn thru. My best guess is that the short it created heated up the case and walla instant smoke. So I will have my new one Wed, as I am no big rush..... I have a few gassers to drive around here.

My concern was why didn't the 140amp fuse let go in the distribution box? The fuse is fine, and it is not by passed... ... ... ... nor is the wire melted, all the heat was generated while the alternator was spinning, and the wires were cool to the touch of my hand. But I can see arc marks and a bare spot in the wire, too bad cause the alternator still spins free... ... ... sucks to have to get a new one over something so stupid. Later Jim.

 

[Joe Mc]

Spice - Just replaced mine Saturday looking @ $165 or so for the part, just a heads up if you didn't have an idea on price.

 

[SpicyJam]

Ya I know the cost, mine was 194 lifetime warrenty... ... ... ... I don't plan on selling the truck anytime soon, if ever at all, but thanks, Jim.