Title basically says it all. When I first start the truck in the AM it doesn't charge (voltage gauge stays way down and gen light comes on if the it doesn't come up). Ususally if I re-start it after a few minutes of driving it works fine. I want to fix it before it leaves me stuck somewhere. I think there is an external regulator but could someone tell me for sure. I'll replace the regualtor before doing the entire alternator since it is MUCH cheaper.

Thanks.

John

 

Hi John,
Yes, but you're not gonna like it anyway. Dodge lets the PCM do the regulating. A couple of guys on the 1st gen forum have installed old-style Dodge regulators to avoid buying a whole computer, though.

 

Dave,


Thanks for the reply. As I was reading it I remembered that some Mitsubishi Eclipses have Mopar 2.0's and they are set up the same way. I am going to have to do some investigating over at the 1st gen forum. BTW Hows that six wheeler holding up?

John

 

uh... welcome to winter?

So its been down to like 40* down here in Indiana and my grid heaters have been coming on after my first start of the morning

not sure how cold it is up there in NY but its probably a little colder... might it just be... normal?

 

Nah, it is not normal. Like I said the generator and check engine light both come on if I leave it like that and don't restart it. This is my 2nd CTD so I can definitely say that is not it but thanks for the input.

John

 

How old are the batteries?
Have you had them load tested?

One of them might have gone to "Battery Heaven"

 

Good idea. I hate it when I overlook the obvious. I'll load test them at work tomorrow.

John

 

I have a 97' and I also had thought my alt. had crapped out so I took it to have it rebuilt. The brushes were worn out but this didn't fix the problem. We figured that the computer was not regulating. So instead of buying a computer I had the alternator/starter rebuild shop put me a regulator in the alternator. So yes It is poss., just don't forget to disconnect the batteries before you take the alt. off, or you might do like I did and pop the the alt. fuse >. and did not realize until I bought 2 new batteries and finally figured everything out. which one of them was dead anyway. The piece cost me about 30 bucks installed. Hope this helps.