So I was driving to the store all fine and dandy, my E-Fans kicked on and when I came to a light I noticed my battery indicator was way lower then usual. Then The GEN light came on, I didnt even think about it cause when i gave it some gas it came off and the battery went back up. Went shopping came out, and when i opened my truck and tried to start it, nothing. Got a buddy to come and gave me a jump, put the jumper cables on and everything lit up. As soon as I tried to start it all my lights went out and nothing. I figured my 16 year old 90 amp alternator was toast. Got a 120amp on the way home to put in tomorrow before i got a tow home. Facts: New red top optima battery installed, starter less then a year old. Alternator seems to be the weak link in my charging system and with a 16 year old 90amp and E-Fans installed, I figure I shorted my alternator. Going to try the new alternator tomorrow just figured Id ask you guys what you think.

Thanks guys,

Theycallmelaramie

 

While you're in there get something manlier then a 90 amp. That's on my list as well... 90 amp just ain't much for a truck, especially an HD like mine...

 

If everything went out when you turned the key, even with the cables, you got a bad ground somewhere. Probably right at the battery. Check the negative cable before swapping the alt. Just to be sure.

 

Yeah everything went out, I just thought for sure it was the alternator because on the drive there the GEN red light came on and the battery was down way low. Gave it gas and it came back. Just thought it was a short in the alternator. As soon as jumper cables got on the battery everything lit up, then start it everything dies. Jiggle the negative jumper wire clamp and it kicks back on. So, yeah it may be a ground. Just figured changing the alternator out now should be done anyway to make sure its not a short in the alternator. When the alternator "dies" what happens? one of the coils breaks and then just doesnt charge at all? Then it should start with a jump just die soon after taking the cables off? Will check all grounds tomorrow. I bet there a page in the Service manual with ground locations.

 

Traced four ground wires from the battery:
1) to bolt on steel frame holding front bumper
2) to nut on the corner of where the hood closes
3) to the alternator
4) to the wire fuse box.

All wires look intact. Sunday morning I will take them all off wire brush underneath them all and put them back on as well as replace alternator. I will also go to have my battery checked and charged. Any other ideas?

 

Do the wires first, see if it starts charging normally. No need to replace parts that aren't bad.

 

or you could just replace it with the bigger amp alt. u bought already anyway.... would be nice to have with the fans and everything. especially for a 16yr 90 amp.

 

So Finally got to it this morning. Took off all ground connections, wire brushed and sanded to nice clean bare metal on all. Took out old alternator, brought it back to get my core, and brought my battery had it checked and fully charged. Battery tested out good. Brought it back put it in with new alternator, and bam started right up. Not only that my stereo system is louder, headlights seem brighter without any dimming, and all my gauges seem more "stable" like they dont waver any more. Definitely was the alternator. My ram is super happy now, so much that i finally went and put my fog lights in in the afternoon as well. Not sure what I wanna do next. HS 1.7 RR's? BTW thanks HeyYou For the suggestions. Long time no help :P How you doing bud!? Feels good to have big red running again. Hate having to get it towed anywhere, oh well I guess i get my money outta AAA this year :P Ill post some pics of my fog lights tomorrow. Now just thinking about my next project. I do love the new Dodge Push bars that go on the back of the truck for when someone smacks into you. Wonder if they have one of those for our generation.

 

Sure they do! It's called custom fabrication.

 

^^^ Hahaha Stewie your thinking logically again.... Gotta cut that out man!


I think people forget that custom fabrication is how everything starts out.