Broke my alternator mudding, advice anyone?

Hey Guys,
Real sad that this happened but today I went mudding (2nd time in this area and 3rd all together) and Im about 98% sure I broke my alternator.

Battery light came on a little bit after the mudding and before wheeling around the desert. Got home, washed the hole engine bay out and started noticing the turnover of the engine getting slower and slower each time I started.

Went to auto zone and had it checked, battery was at 11.6v and the same while running, needless to say the alternator was not running.

Bought an electrical parts cleaner and hosed down the alternator, let it sit for about an hour, went back to auto zone and retested with the same results.

Truck couldn't start after that so I got the battery charged by them for free.
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I'm pretty sad because this is the only real problem I've had with my taco and disappointed that I kind of let it happen because ever since I got it, I've been pushing her harder and harder.

Well this weekend Im supposed to go on a road trip back home (12 hours from el paso to cali) and I don't think Im gonna make it unless I get this fixed.
To add onto that Im pretty low on cash, I'll be dipping into the CC.

I need advice on what to do here.

I tried checking the positive connection on the alternator with no luck. The only thing I can think of doing is taking the truck apart asap, pulling out the alternator, cleaning it up and getting it checked at auto zone for functionality.


IF that doesn't work I need to have a back up plan already in order so I'm open to any suggestions. Thanks for your time, Taco family.

-BeeRadd

 

BUMP, I need help.

 

If something went wrong with the alternator you wouldn't be able to start the truck at all..... Maybe something else is loose..... Take it to a auto repair shop and have them look at it before you go any further.....

 

If your battery isn't sealed you can check the electrolyte in each cell and make sure they are full (to the bottom of the plastic top). It it's sealed disregard. Otherwise you can do they following.

CHEAP WAY: If you have a multimeter check the battery with the truck running and with it off and see if the voltage increases with the truck on, means your alternator is working. Secondly they sell "alternator testers" at Harbor Freight and maybe autoparts stores, whether they work or not...couldn't tell you.

MORE COSTLY WAY: Take it to a mechanic that can hook it up to a tester meant to check your alternator and load test your battery.

 

This is correct ^

They checked it at auto zone and the voltage was the same when running as not. As I started it up more it got slower and eventually died completely (consider I had done about 2 hours worth of wheeling with that light on)

I got it recharged so I would have enough juice to make it back home.

 

get a bigger alternator .... and get some skids

 

I had a similar problem with the alternator on my Mustang GT a few years back after push starting it a few times because I left my lights on.

Pulled the alternator, took it to an electrical shop and they told me the voltage regulator was blown. This is just a chip that's part of the alternator on the outside that usually houses the brush holder as well. They said they can replace the voltage regulator for $100 IIRC. They did so, and I had no problems whatsoever after that. Used the same alternator I had in the car and it ran at full voltage with no problems until the day I sold it a year later.

I'm not sure if our alternators are built the same way, but it could be a place to start. I can see the VR getting short circuited in the mud.

 

Buck up and get an alternator.

If you are going on a road trip and have the radio on, a/c on and use any lights you will toast your battery in no time at all. Then you might end up needing a new batt also.

Last time I had alt problems the battery did not last more than an hour.

 

Which alternator you have ? Denso (tow package) or that other junk?

If you have Denso, take a part and just clean it well. Most likely you have dirt on brushes and one of them is stuck.

 

If/when you get your new alternator, protect it when mudding as best you can using something like dielectric grease or, according to the rep, Fluid Film. Neither will be miracle workers but it's better than nothing!

 

I would rather get one from junkyard and rebuild it. Al lit takes is new set of bearings and brushes plus few seals.

 

Okay I tried running the truck today and disconnecting the battery to see if the alternator is putting out ANYTHING.
Nope, nothing. She's shot!

SO

Due to my lack of time to go looking around for old ones at a junkyard or taking it off, waiting for it to be cleaned I'm going to order this one off of AUTOZONE.com

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/pa...scr6Z93xme?itemIdentifier=955082_191610_4449_

I have the towing package and that one says it comes with it but my trucks voltage used to read about 14 when running, will this still bring me there even though it says it only does 12?

I'm gonna take the truck to the shop and remove the alternator/get it cleaned by a friend in the meantime and then when I come to pick up the alternator I'll have the old one checked to see if it's functional again. If it is then I'll simply return it to the store, If it isn't then I'll sell that one to the store for the core charge or whatever it's called. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

 

dont go mudding

and just get the autozone one and install it and call it a day. its what i did after a year and a half of oil leaking on to it finally drestroyed it

 

BTW, can anyone tell me what the difference is between all these?

I see "w/towing package" w/out, etc. but they are pretty damn cheap, oem, and possibly better? Anybody know If I could possibly score a better alternator on here?

 

Do you have towing package on your truck ?

 

Oh yeah absolutely, charges faster and can handle more. I will be getting the tow package one already since I have it. Kind of strange though that the towing package is slightly cheaper than some of the non....

 

I know now that I shouldn't. It's just too much of a hassle to clean and I can't observe parts on my truck that may be breaking. Unfortunately, it IS rather fun and rewarding to see pics and the truck after...

 

X2. Be sensible in the mud, or just stay out. Or....deal with the consequences.

 

Great pic!