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Battery light and smoking alternator
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Steve123
Novice
Aug 3, 2014, 6:41 PM
Post #1 of 14
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Battery light and smoking alternator
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I have a 2012 Dodge Durango SXT with a 3.6 Liter V-6 with 60,900 miles on it. I'll try to explain my problem in detail.
While driving the battery light came on and I was only 15 minutes
from home and when I slowed down to pull in my driveway I heard
something whining and smelt electrical burning. When I popped the hood smoke was pouring from the alternator. So I bought a alternator for it ($540). After installing the alternator I drove it a few miles to check it out and everything seem fine so we headed to town and just before pulling into Kroger the battery light comes on. So I left it there instead of risking burning the alternator up again. Anyone have any clues to what is causing this?
[email]
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 3, 2014, 6:57 PM
Post #2 of 14
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Re: Battery light and smoking alternator
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Sounds like you may have a defective alternator but it needs to be checked out.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 3, 2014, 9:10 PM
Post #3 of 14
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Re: Battery light and smoking alternator
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You really need to find out why the original alternator decided to go up in smoke. They usually don't do that unless they are overloaded or there is an electrical fault causing the alternator to be full fielded all the time.
Do you have any aftermarket electrical equipment that would cause higher than normal alternator output?
The alternator is also computer controlled, so there could be a problem with the computer full fielding the alternator. Might be out of your league because you would need scan tool data and voltage measurements to see what is going on with it.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Aug 3, 2014, 9:11 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 4, 2014, 4:40 AM
Post #4 of 14
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Re: Battery light and smoking alternator
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You would think that whomever changed the alternator would have tested the charging voltage when finished and realized then if the system was overcharging due to full fielding.
Since it doesn't appear that it took the battery out too, I would be more inclined to blame a bearing problem or something like that on the first failure.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Aug 4, 2014, 4:41 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 4, 2014, 5:38 AM
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Re: Battery light and smoking alternator
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Yes - need some more info but sounds from only post from OP (steve123) that it was done himself and did find alternator is that expensive that shocked me - why?
So need to know if this needed a jump start after new alternator seemed to work for a while or was charged up or what too. Even plain low or dead battery road calls (not many anymore) I look at charging voltage of victim vehicle and feel heat from body of alternator as a clue to how hard it's working without tons more to test anything that is a good clue while away.
So "steve123" - the questions asked are valid and need to know for more ideas for you. Yes if new alternator working way too hard it could have wrecked it already without the smoke show?
Hasn't been 24 hrs since 1st post so waiting for info or he's gone now?
T
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Steve123
Novice
Aug 4, 2014, 7:54 AM
Post #7 of 14
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Re: Battery light and smoking alternator
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I was shocked at the price myself. No part stores Advanced, Pep Boys, Auto Zone, etc. have it in stock cause its a new pin style they said and have to order it straight from the factory. I didn't have to jump start the car after installing it. Which surprised me since after the original burned up the car wouldn't turn over and just would click like a dead battery would. I brought the car brand new at the dealership with only 19 miles on it and everything is original on the car no aftermarket parts or nothing. I'm just glad the new one didn't burn up.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 4, 2014, 8:09 AM
Post #8 of 14
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Re: Battery light and smoking alternator
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Good info Steve for now. The fact it restarted on it's own "suggests" to be that somehow the problem "may" have been inside the alternator itself - just shorted out and now who knows why? But hot enough to make smoke for whatever reason now makes me question plain wiring connections. If just a contact for the light might be harmless?
Take a volt reading engine off and engine running right now and post results. Without tons more you can just turn on lights and blower motor full blast for a load and if it holds a reasonable voltage (actually should cover it totally) I'll guess a warning light issue and not a chance to find out if a new style that is voltage regulated thru computer not at the alternator itself so might or might not test good off car?
Some others over the years had plug issues with a ton of a type of alternator to the point you voided a warranty if you didn't solder in a new plug!
Again, at a minimum you need to know if it's charging or not and if excessive (over voltage) that's real trouble for assorted things all over the vehicle including computer controls - anything. Find out,
T
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Steve123
Novice
Aug 4, 2014, 8:09 AM
Post #9 of 14
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Re: Battery light and smoking alternator
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I was going to pull the battery today which is under the back seat and possible replace it but I don't think that's where the problem lies. That gets me is the charging systems light/ battery light didn't come right away? It'll probably be best just to have it towed to the dealership. The bad thing is I have 60,900 on it and the warranty ended at 60,000 I believe. I sure hope its not the computer there's no tailing what it cost.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 4, 2014, 8:23 AM
Post #10 of 14
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Re: Battery light and smoking alternator
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? Have you asked about the warranty even if over a couple miles? No harm there.
You could test battery but not so confident in all testing done out of vehicle. I plead IDK how they placed it but if in passenger area it may be a unique style of case so any venting is to outside vehicle. If any question just make sure it the right replacement but tend to doubt it right now as a cause which is only guessing. Dealer should be able to pin this down at what ever it costs. Unknown so far if not checked out more. Good luck,
T
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Steve123
Novice
Aug 4, 2014, 8:32 AM
Post #11 of 14
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Re: Battery light and smoking alternator
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I'd like to thank everyone for their answers! Tom for your last question I believe the alternator output maybe controlled by the computer. And when I plugged the wires into the alternator the connection seemed tight. I'm thinking I'll have it towed to the dealership so they can look at it. I like doing stuff myself but with this problem I better let someone with the proper training and tools figure it out. At least I didn't have to pay to have the alternator installed.
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Steve123
Novice
Aug 4, 2014, 8:42 AM
Post #12 of 14
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Re: Battery light and smoking alternator
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If its a computer problem I'll definitely ask about the warranty which I'm trying to find now. Thanks Tom and I'll be sure to post the findings on here. Thanks again everyone.
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Steve123
Novice
Aug 4, 2014, 2:43 PM
Post #13 of 14
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Re: Battery light and smoking alternator
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Well fellows Five Star just called and I was told I had a wiring issue which in return caused the PCM to go out. The PCM is covered under warranty which saves me a grand but the wiring is going to cost $475. The scary part is he said he'll call me back Wednesday after the parts come in but we need to start there. Praying there's nothing else wrong.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 4, 2014, 3:06 PM
Post #14 of 14
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Re: Battery light and smoking alternator
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Yep, that makes sense.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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