No Power From Alternator After Trans Swap

[Flash619]

Greetings again! So I recently swapped my 41TE with another 41TE. This project took a very long time as my car was over an hours drive away the entire time, not to mention I didn't want to work on it during winter.

This car sat about a good six months.

After getting the new transmission in it, installing an aux cooler, installing an inline filter, putting on a custom pan, and hooking back up electrical I noticed that I had several indicator lights going off. I had codes for TCU, Low Voltage, and High Intake Air Temp.

A quick clearing of the codes and a restart proved to be somewhat successful, the only remaining code was low system voltage. I went into the sensor readout and the voltage sensor is reading roughly 11.24 volts. I assumed the battery needed some catching up and took it for a short drive to test the mechanics of the transmission out.

I monitored the trans temp which seemed to average around 115F during city driving and got back to my garage to find a sputtering engine, during which time I noticed my radio had no power. I went back to the voltage sensor to show it was down to 8 volts.

After letting it sit idle for a bit, turned it back on for more testing and found it to be at 10v and dropping. An increase in engine RPM showed no difference, as if the alternator just doesn't exist.

This car never has had any alternator troubles in the past, and I am confused as to why it would suddenly stop working all together. I've inspected the wires behind the alternator, and the positive terminal wire leads under the exhaust and up into a wire shroud which goes to the ECU. I haven't found any obvious signs of damage when looking around with a flash light.

Any ideas as to what I should check or try next? I plan to remove the alternator and have it tested at a shop, is there anything I should be trying before going through that work?

Thanks!

[rckstein]

If the vehicle will run, it would be better to have the alternator tested while it is still in the car. I know O'Reilly does, and some other auto parts stores may as well, but take the vehicle to one of them and they can test the entire battery, starting and charging system while everything is still in the vehicle.

Also, once you have those issues taken care of, since you changed transmissions, you will need to take your PT to a shop that can program the transmission Quick Learn procedure into it.

[Flash619]

Originally Posted by rckstein

If the vehicle will run, it would be better to have the alternator tested while it is still in the car. I know O'Reilly does, and some other auto parts stores may as well, but take the vehicle to one of them and they can test the entire battery, starting and charging system while everything is still in the vehicle.

Also, once you have those issues taken care of, since you changed transmissions, you will need to take your PT to a shop that can program the transmission Quick Learn procedure into it.

Do I need to take it to a Chrysler shop for that? Any idea on the cost?

Also, the vehicle will not make it to a shop, it barely lasted going five blocks.

[rckstein]

Originally Posted by Flash619

Do I need to take it to a Chrysler shop for that? Any idea on the cost?

Also, the vehicle will not make it to a shop, it barely lasted going five blocks.

Some transmission shops can also do it, just call around and inquire. At a dealership it will be around $100.

[Flash619]

Originally Posted by rckstein

Some transmission shops can also do it, just call around and inquire. At a dealership it will be around $100.

Thoughts on the procedure in this thread?

Also, could the power issue be an inline fuse?

[Flash619]

Also if crewzin happens to see this, can this be moved to general discussion? I accidentally made this in the wrong sub forum.

[JoeX]

Make sure the green wire going to the starter from the alternator is not pinched , broken or on the wrong terminal on the starter.
The green wire also has a in line fuseable link in the area under the exhaust manifold.
Mu bet its on the wrong starter terminal.

[chuzz]

Charge the frigging battery up to 12.5 and load test it. Sounds to me like it got discharged over the time it sat. And alternator WON'T recharge a weak battery. I don't care who says what. You have to get the battery up to a full charge with a battery charger and then test it. Odds are that you've got either a weak or dead cell. What kind of voltage reading do you get at the battery with the car running. If your alternator is good, it should be in the 14 volt range give or take a half volt or so. If it's less than 13.5, then I'd suspect the alternator. Probably just brushes. Do what you want to.

[VsandFords]

Just a thought, is the belt still on?

[Flash619]

Originally Posted by JoeX

Make sure the green wire going to the starter from the alternator is not pinched , broken or on the wrong terminal on the starter.
The green wire also has a in line fuseable link in the area under the exhaust manifold.
Mu bet its on the wrong starter terminal.

What does this green wire do? I'll take a look.

Originally Posted by chuzz

Charge the frigging battery up to 12.5 and load test it. Sounds to me like it got discharged over the time it sat. And alternator WON'T recharge a weak battery. I don't care who says what. You have to get the battery up to a full charge with a battery charger and then test it. Odds are that you've got either a weak or dead cell. What kind of voltage reading do you get at the battery with the car running. If your alternator is good, it should be in the 14 volt range give or take a half volt or so. If it's less than 13.5, then I'd suspect the alternator. Probably just brushes. Do what you want to.

The battery originally had enough charge to start the car (several times). I don't think it would be low enough to cause this much of a draw. With the alternator running the voltage sensor in the ECU should read around 14v I would think, given that's what the battery terminals should read when running.

Originally Posted by VsandFords

Just a thought, is the belt still on?

Yes