Aloha folks!

'02 Ram Van 3500 here. I started her up today and she had a weird hum. I also notice the Charge Gauge didn't go to its usual half-way mark position (14v); only to about a quarter of the way. Opened up the hood. Couldn't tell where the hum was coming from, but there was a weird smell, like the belt was slipping or something. Didn't look like it was slipping, though.I just put in a new alternator a couple months ago, so I don't think that would be the problem. A pulley might have been squeaking a little. Just changed the tension pulley a few months ago, so I don't think it's that. Compressor? I've never used it because it's never worked properly.

What do you think, guys? Any insights? Thanks!

 

I would take the tension off the belt briefly and spin all the pulleys by hand. That will tell you a lot. Also check your codes, something should pop up.

 

Thanks! That's a good idea. I'll do the pulley test tomorrow.
I don't have a code reader, but I did the "click the ignition 3 times" code check. It only pops a P0455, but I've had an evap problem since I got the van 3 years ago.
Thanks for the insight!

 

I agree it's frozen pulley.

 

Thanks Alloro!