My 97 dakota 4 x 4. 5.2L.
Alternator is not charging my battery. I have tryed two different alternators. The check gage light. Lights up.
I checked the gages and all my fuses. Everything seems ok becides the voltage gage. Truck will start and drive. But runs off of the battery. So can only drive so far.
Is this a wire problem maybe a short somewhere. I have read some other threads on here. But none seemed to help with my issue.

 

Voltage regulator is in the PCM, so, if the alternator being replaced doesn't solve the issue, it's likely the PCM. Some folks just install an external regulator, and call it a day, as opposed to replacing the PCM. Should be several threads about that around here somewhere.

 

Thank you. I did the pcm bypass. Went and got a volt regulator. Wired it in along with a alternator that was newer then the one my truck requires. It work good now. Charging right and the garage works. Wasn't expecting the gage to work still. As I thought I would have to deal with the gage not working and the check gage light being on all the time.
Truck is back to the way it was. However the check engine light came on. But I think it's just because of the issue I just had. Got to clear out the codes and see what happens.
Mainly want everything to work right on this truck so I can sell it. As I bought a 97 ram 1500 at a auction for $2000. With 125,000 miles on it.
Only thing wrong with it was the steering was super loose. But that was an easy fix. Birth trucks are the same year. Both black. Both V8. But the ram has the 360 in it.
Thanks again for the info.