Why is my alternator not charging on my Dodge truck?

Once we arrived home i realized the alternator had started whinning, had an electrical smell coming from under the hood, and running low voltage. We diagnosed the problem as a bad alternator. We ordered and alternator, and 3 days ater when it arrived and installed, i had the same problem.

What should battery voltage be when alternator is not charging?

The alternator is connected to a set of belts which when loose can cause it not to function as required. To differentiate an alternator problem from the battery, you will need to use a voltmeter to check for voltage. First, turn off the engine and check the battery voltage. A fully charged battery should have a reading of 12.65 volts.

Is the alternator still running off the battery?

Now i hooked up the voltage tester to the battery with the new alternator and the car still seems to be running off just the battery (at about 12 volts).

How to test the voltage of a Dodge alternator?

There should be a connection between these two pins. Next test the Pin 10 of the White C2 connector to the GREEN wire pin at the alternator plug. There should be a connection between these two pins.

Where is the charge wire on a Dodge alternator?

There is a Black/Grey Wire between the Gen/Alt and the PDC which contains the 140amp fuse and then a red wire to the battery. This is the large charge wire that electricity flows from the Gen/Alt to the 140amp fuse in the PDC and onto the battery.

Why is my new alternator and battery not charging?

It turned out the battery was flat, after testing with meter I found out there was no charging. So I bought a new alternator and regulator, putted them in today, started up, all looked good on the meter (14-16 on the meter after a minute), then it went down to 11-12 and after a while, battery was flat again. No charging.

Where is the PCM located on a Dodge alternator?

This is where the PCM lives behind your air filter box, notice I removed mine for better access, TURN THE KEY OFF before disconnecting. The connector closest to the passenger side is the Grey C3 connector. The Connector in the middle is the White C2 connector. Reference the wiring diagram at the PCM.

How can I tell if my alternator is working or not?

If your not getting a reading from there you can check your output from your alternator. Make sure you ground your multimeter, and put the power side to the stud that is coming out from the alternator (should be nut holding your wires that go to your battery).

How does an alternator affect the charging system?

The alternator is at the heart of the charging system of your vehicle. Alternator problems and charging system problems can affect your vehicle in different ways. You may notice: your ALT or CHARGE indicator light comes on, your engine is hard to start and cranks slowly, or doesn’t crank, your battery demands lots of water,

Why is my alternator not charging on my scanguageii?

Talked to a couple of people and started a thread on another site and the consensus was that my alternator died (it was a 3-4 year old large case 200a unit from alternatorparts). Ordered a 220a unit from DB Electric and installed it last night……aaaaaaand I’m still at 12v or less on the ScanGuageII. Began troubleshooting and here’s where I’m at:

What should I do if my alternator is not charging?

Still no signal to tell the alternator to charge. They put the alternator on a bench charge and it was good, said they load tested the batteries and they were both fine. Powered the alternator up by an external power source??? and then he said the gauge went right up to 14.5v.

Is the alternator at the heart of the charging system?

Dan Ferrell writes about do-it-yourself car maintenance and repair. He has certifications in automation and control technology. The alternator is at the heart of the charging system of your vehicle. Alternator problems and charging system problems can affect your vehicle in different ways.

Why does my Dodge Durango not start up?

If there is, then we need to trace the wire to the remote start system because the control module for that may be faulty. If there is no voltage coming out of the switch, then it could be a bad switch, but we would need to check a couple more things before condemning the switch. Let me know how they make out.

Can a bad alternator be put out at 12V?

If the alternator is only put out 12V, it sounds like it may have a bad diode. If you’re not running anything but the engine, you should see at least 14.5V.

Where is the starter relay on a Dodge Durango?

In the under hood box, check #16 this is a 50 amp. If the fuses are good, let’s locate the starter relay in the underhood fusebox and remove it. Swap in another one just in case, and see if it goes.

What should battery charge be on Dodge Charger?

Connect the digital voltmeter to your Dodge’s battery terminals. Be sure to connect the positive clip on the 12-volt voltmeter to the positive post and the negative clip to your battery’s negative post. The reading you receive will reflect the charge of the battery alone. A reading around 12.5 or 12.8 volts is normal.

If the alternator is only put out 12V, it sounds like it may have a bad diode. If you’re not running anything but the engine, you should see at least 14.5V.

What does a low voltmeter reading on a Dodge mean?

Another low reading would mean that your battery is bad or that you have a short circuit in the wiring. Disconnect the voltmeter from the battery posts and ask a friend or family member to get behind the wheel and start the Dodge. Then reconnect the voltmeter to the battery exactly as you did before.

Can a car battery be drained by an alternator?

While you might initially think that any problems with electrical things like lights or radio not working are directly related to the battery, the alternator is actually where most of the power in your vehicle comes from. Consider that if you were to leave the lights of your car on overnight by the next day your battery might be drained completely.

There should be a connection between these two pins. Next test the Pin 10 of the White C2 connector to the GREEN wire pin at the alternator plug. There should be a connection between these two pins.

Why is my old alternator not working anymore?

The guy at the shop said my old alternator was indeed bad (rectifier). Initially he thought I might have a computer or wiring problem. Once he actually tested the alternator he suggested the problem is most likely a fuse or fusible link.

Where to get the best alternator for a Dodge Ram?

You count on your Dodge Ram to haul cargo and to get you to where you need to go safely. When it’s time to replace your Dodge Ram alternator, give it what it deserves by installing the best from AutoZone. Your alternator performs a crucial role for your truck, and AutoZone is the premier destination for Ram performance alternators.

Where is the C3 connector on a Dodge alternator?

The connector closest to the passenger side is the Grey C3 connector. The Connector in the middle is the White C2 connector. Reference the wiring diagram at the PCM. We are concerned with pin 25 in the Grey C3 connector as it is the opposite end of the dark blue wire at the alternator.

Is it possible for an alternator to over charge?

You are correct, 18 volts is much too high, but an alternator can not cause over-charging unless it is assembled incorrectly with one of the brushes grounded through its mounting screw. Over-charging is caused by the voltage regulator driving the alternator too hard.

What should I do if my alternator keeps dying?

The alternator is essentially a generator and it keeps your battery charged while supplying additional electrical power for the other systems in the vehicle. If you have a new alternator and your battery keeps dying on you, then there’s definitely a problem that you’re going to need to look into.

What causes a battery light to come on after an alternator is installed?

The most common is, again, a loose connection either with the control plug (aka “relay” plug-in), charging line connection, or the ground. The other is a blown fuse or defective connector or relay, which could have been broken or shorted when the alternator was installed or on the first start-up after its installation.

Can a bad alternator cause a car to not start?

Once this battery reserve hits a certain level, the vehicle will begin to run erratically and will no longer start when the key is turned. Often, the battery light will come on, the alternator gets replaced, and then a few days later the vehicle dies.

What causes an alternator to go over base voltage?

If you are getting more than 2 volts above base voltage, most likely your alternator is over-charging the battery or the battery is faulty. Other potential problems are a faulty voltage regulator or a problem in the charging system wiring.

What happens if the alternator on a Dodge truck is not working?

The alternator on your Dodge, whether it’s a car, truck or van, is an essential piece of its electrical system. In fact, if the alternator is not working perfectly, your Dodge will soon begin to experience serious problems. For example, with an improperly functioning alternator, the battery will quickly drain.

What happens if you have a new alternator and the battery is not charging?

The alternator in your car is an integral part of your vehicle’s electrical system. If you have a new alternator and the battery is still not charging, then you definitely have some kind of a problem with your battery that you’ll need to address immediately.

What happens when the alternator of a car is dead?

The alternator and the car’s battery work hand in hand. A good battery should give you service for the next five years before its lifespan ends. If your battery is dead, then it will not give power to the car’s alternator. The alternator normally lasts longer than the battery.

Why does my alternator get higher than base voltage?

You should get 0.5 to 2 volts higher than base voltage. If you are getting more than 2 volts above base voltage, most likely your alternator is over-charging the battery or the battery is faulty. Other potential problems are a faulty voltage regulator or a problem in the charging system wiring.

Can you drive a car with a faulty alternator?

Faulty diodes can easily be replaced, but you will need to dismantle the alternator. It is impossible to drive the car with a faulty alternator. While it is the work of the battery to power the electrical components in the car, it cannot do this alone.

Why does the battery light come on and off?

Suddenly the lights flickered, battery light came on, and went back off just a couple seconds later. Once we arrived home i realized the alternator had started whinning, had an electrical smell coming from under the hood, and running low voltage. We diagnosed the problem as a bad alternator.

What kind of car is the Dodge Charger?

Not open for further replies. I drive a 2010 Dodge Charger SXT 3.5, RWD, 50k, Grey, Daily Driver. Purchased the vehicle a couple years back, and have enjoyed the vehicle touble free until a couple weeks back.

How can I tell if my alternator is charging the battery?

Use your multimeter (if you don’t have one get one). Turn it to dc volts put your leads on your battery (with the car running), if your alternator is charging it should read from 13.5V-14.5V (thats a good charge). If your not getting a reading from there you can check your output from your alternator.

What does 12 volts mean on Dodge battery?

A reading below 12 volts may indicate your Dodge’s battery is the culprit. Charge the battery and, without running the car in the meantime, test it again the next day. Another low reading would mean that your battery is bad or that you have a short circuit in the wiring.

What to do if your Dodge truck won’t charge?

Quick Tip: If your 1st or 2nd Gen Dodge truck won’t charge, don’t waste your money on a new ECU. Try installing an external voltage regulator! Watch more Quick Tips: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list… Follow Rich on Car Throttle. https://www.carthrottle.com/user/debo…

What should I do if my Dodge Ram battery is not charging?

Go to a local battery shop and have them do a load test on your battery. This will check if the battery is functioning under a heavy load. Also use your multi-meter to make sure there are 12 volts in the battery. Figure 2. Test if the battery retains a charge.

What should the diode be on a new alternator?

If the alternator is only put out 12V, it sounds like it may have a bad diode. If you’re not running anything but the engine, you should see at least 14.5V. You might have the alternator tested. I just replaced one on a ’92 Buick PA. The alternator worked fine until it was under a medium load.

What happens when an alternator goes bad in a car?

The alternator plays a vital role in supplying power to the car’s AC, recharging the battery and ignition. When your alternator is faulty, the battery power is drained fast, and you will find yourself with a stalled car. But what can cause the alternator to go bad?

What does it mean when your alternator is not charging?

If the alternator is not charging the battery, you will have a red “ALT” or “charge” sign on your dashboard. This means that your battery is no longer being supplemented for power by the alternator. You will need to recheck the wiring because the light could also be faulty.

How can I tell if I have an alternator problem?

To differentiate an alternator problem from the battery, you will need to use a voltmeter to check for voltage. First, turn off the engine and check the battery voltage. A fully charged battery should have a reading of 12.65 volts. Next, turn on the engine and recheck the voltage. You should have a reading of 13.5 to 14.5 volts.

Why is my alternator not charging on my Dodge truck?