mjs2011
Full Access Member
I was going out with the camper yesterday, got half way to my destination, and shut the truck off. It wouldn't start when I got back in, so I got it jumped and went on my way. When I got there, I unhooked the camper, went to start the truck back up, and it wouldn't start, the battery was completely dead. So I charged it all night. I just so happened to have a Honda Generator with me, that comes with an 8A battery charger cable. So I rigged that up to keep the batteries charged up to get me back home today.
I started looking at things and found that I am seeing no voltage change at the battery whether the engine is off or running. The voltage is always about 12.45 V. So I disconnected the positive terminal on the alternator and jumped a wire from the pos term on the alternator direct to the battery. Still no change. I then checked voltage at the positive terminal on the alternator, with ground on the battery as reference. This voltage was between 2-3 volts at idle. So I pulled the alternator out. Some pictures are attached.
A few things I've noticed: The ground terminal of the alternator has no wire on it, just that metal tab. I'm guessing it's been this way for years. But is that normal?
Also, I pulled the alternator, and set it up on the workbench. It spins freely, but makes a slight bit of noise as it rotates, and if I look from the top down on while its rotating, the pullys are rotating perfectly balanced.
My main question is, is this for sure an alternator problem, or are there other things I should investigate first?
I started looking at things and found that I am seeing no voltage change at the battery whether the engine is off or running. The voltage is always about 12.45 V. So I disconnected the positive terminal on the alternator and jumped a wire from the pos term on the alternator direct to the battery. Still no change. I then checked voltage at the positive terminal on the alternator, with ground on the battery as reference. This voltage was between 2-3 volts at idle. So I pulled the alternator out. Some pictures are attached.
A few things I've noticed: The ground terminal of the alternator has no wire on it, just that metal tab. I'm guessing it's been this way for years. But is that normal?
Also, I pulled the alternator, and set it up on the workbench. It spins freely, but makes a slight bit of noise as it rotates, and if I look from the top down on while its rotating, the pullys are rotating perfectly balanced.
My main question is, is this for sure an alternator problem, or are there other things I should investigate first?