Alternator problem in Freightliner FLD/Century
dimens...@yahoo.com
I have already replaced alternator twice this year. Is alternator so
fragile like that? How often do people replace alternator? Is there
anyway to prevent towing fee because of alternator? Thanks.
Shinji,
MAGNOLIATR
>fragile like that? How often do people replace alternator? Is there
>anyway to prevent towing fee because of alternator? Thanks.
>
My husband had to replace the one in the truck twice as well , well the company
did.
First it was the batteries then the Alternator. You may have just got a bad one
, you did not have a warranty on it?
I know hubby's company did , as a matter of fact they replaced that sucker
three tims within 6 months.
They kept having to call a tow truck to the house to jump start the damn thing.
Took Petro , TA forever to figure it out so we gave up on their sorry ass took
it to freightshaker and it was some wire as well that was bad , heck I forget
now so much has gone wrong with the elec system in that truck.
Thats a freightshaker for ya!
Good luck
Shadetree
<dimens...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:b0d7066a.0210...@posting.google.com...
or wiring. if you have to replace another one soon, I would have the
electrical system checked, but the problem with that, is alot of electrical
problems are hard to trace, loose wires and shorts don't always showup, then
you get the " if it ain't broke now, I can't fixit". you also might try a
higher amperage alternator, especially if you have extra lights, use an
inverter, microwave, etc..
To prevent towing charges always watch your gauges, then you should become
aware of the problem before you get stuck somewhere. also carry jumper
cables, a necessity in any truck. alternators are cheap, shop around $100-
$125 bucks, and carry one in the sidebox, along with some tools, extra
filters, spare belts. it's amazing how much money you can save by having a
few spare parts with you, even if you don't do the work yourself.
And last but not least, if you pull a reefer you've always got a spare!
Shadetree
elmer
Did the replacement units say" Mexico" on them and have a burning smell?
Swift had a problem with a batch of them a few years ago. Maybe you got
some from that same batch.
--
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dimens...@yahoo.com
alternator charging rate every morning? Besides, I don't realize it in
the morning usually since voltage should be still over 12.5 v. Then,
after driving a while voltage goes down, and by the time, I realize
alternator problem, it is too late always. It is hard to prevent
alternator problem beforehand. You suggest to have jumper cable. It is
good when another truck is around you. But, what if nobody is around
my truck!! I am dead meat. Pretrip inspection doesn't state about
measuring charging rate of alternator. Carry extra alternator seems to
be only solution, I guess. Thanks.
Shinji,
"Shadetree" <shadetree@attbi_nospam.com> wrote in message news:<d5jn9.46723$dp1.1...@rwcrnsc52.ops.asp.att.net>...
Shadetree
<dimens...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> How can I check alternator regularly? I mean you don't measure
> alternator charging rate every morning? Besides, I don't realize it in
> the morning usually since voltage should be still over 12.5 v.
> alternator problem, it is too late always.
Watch your gauge during the day, most of the time you will notice the
charging rate go down, before the alternator is totally gone. even then you
should be able to drive awhile before all the juice is gone and you need to
shut it down.
> It is hard to prevent
> alternator problem beforehand.
Like I said before you might want to go with a higher amperage alt. and be
aware of the extra power drains you might have, like extra lights or power
inverters, also if this is a persistent problem, you probably have a wiring
problem somewhere.
>You suggest to have jumper cable. It is
> good when another truck is around you. But, what if nobody is around
> my truck!! I am dead meat.
I don't know about your particular job or what area you usually drive, but I
know that most times I'm not far from civilization, also you don't need a
truck to jump start you. I go home for 7-10 days at a time. I live in
Colorado, and during the winter months sometimes I need a jump, and my
Pickup does just fine.
>Pretrip inspection doesn't state about
> measuring charging rate of alternator.
The DOT guidelines for a pretrip inspection are just that, guidelines!
Everyone's situation is different, as far has equipment, the type of job you
do, and the area in which you work, and all these things should be
considered when doing your pretrip, to mold your own pretrip inspection.
>Carry extra alternator seems to
> be only solution, I guess. Thanks.
If you own your truck, and pay the repair bills, this makes good business
sense. Check around, the difference in price between your local parts dealer
and most truckstops or repair shops on the road, is probably more than you
might think.
Shadetree
Gunslinger
wrote:
>Watch your gauge during the day, most of the time you will notice the
>charging rate go down, before the alternator is totally gone. even then you
>should be able to drive awhile before all the juice is gone and you need to
>shut it down.
Two comments:
Scanning the gauges should be a normal part of your routine. Not just a
pre-trip, but every few minutes. They're there to let you know of *potential*
problems - not just after the problem has arisen!
Do NOT continue on until "all the juice is gone" !!! If you do this, you will
end up buying a set of batteries as well as an alternator. BTDT.
I do agree that a spare alternator is a good thing to have, along with spare
belts. One thing, too, is make checking the belt tension a regular part of your
fuel stops - all the belts, not just the alternator!
__--Gunslinger--__
FastLinelex
lot of money you can buy a new alt from your parts store for usually under
200.00 that is a lot less than a tow bill and alts are not at all hard to
install. Usually just a few hand tools that you probably already carry,
remember to also to get an extra belt pulley and belts because the pulley is
sometimes hard to change out on the road, and the belts can sometimes be torn
up if the alt locks up. Happy trucking : Tony the menhanic at fast-line
transportation
PerryrsbR
Number one problem is a poor grounding of the engine to the frame or batteries
to frame and engine. Other problems can be excessive lights and high amperage
divices like amplifiers, The proper way to check the system is to turn every
electrical device on and check the amperage draw, should be at least 10 amps
less than the max output of alternator ( about 95 amps ). Many trucks now are
running inverters and they will drain batteries fast. If a truck is left idling
with lights on and an inverter running say a TV you can very well be pulling
more amps than the alternator will handle., This overheats the diodes in the
alternator and they eventually fail. Also using the old tube type CB
amplifiers is devastating to the Alternator and the ECU on many trucks. There
are a few other issues that any good truck electrician can find but they are
very rare.
