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Possible alternator problem?

Yahoo Message Number: 14474
Looking for help. While driving about 600 miloes in the past few days, I have experienced a situation where simultaneously I would lose my cruise control and both the speedometer and the tach would go to zero. Most of the times, the voltmeter would show redcuced voltage, sometimes pegged at 8 volts. This happened about a dozen times. The speedometer and tach would restore within a second or two, the speed control would also work again (after resetting) within a second or two but the voltmeter would take longer to come back to normal.

I have a 97 Intrique with the 325 Cummins.

Am I correct to assume a potentail problem with the alternator?

Jerry Krebill

Re: Possible alternator problem?

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14477
Jerry, it could also be the voltage regulator.
I've had one gone bad showing similar problems.
Other problems could be a lose connection, bad grounding, ..

2000 Magna 5824

Re: Possible alternator problem?

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14483
Jerry,

I experienced the exact same symptoms. It turned out to be the ignition relay. The relay is under the dash on the passenger side.
It looks identicle to a Ford starter solenoid. It energizes with the ignition switch and provides power to all those gages that you mention. When they go bad inside, they get intermittent. Pull it out and take it to any parts store. It is just a 12V solenoid. It is an easy replacement. I am 99.9% sure that is your problem. If your alt was bad, your tach would not work at all.

Mike

'95 Intrigue 10061

Quote from: cc10333

Re: Possible alternator problem?

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14528
Thanks to everyone that provided suggestions. "faa_engineer" was absolutely correct diagnosing a bad relay. Appreciate the help that this group provides.

Jerry Krebill

'97 36' Intrigue Montage

Re: Possible alternator problem?

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14531
Jerry.....

I had similar problems on our 2000 Intrigue caused by a bad 'clockspring' contained in the 'Smartwheel' steering column assembly. In addition to the symptoms you described, my speed control was whacko and the windshield wipers would run whenever they felt like it. It was hysterical, if not a little frightening!

Just another possibility.....

Bob Fuzak

2002 Magna #6148

Possible alternator problem

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 14488
Possible alternator problem Jerry Krebill,

Alternator will not cause your problem. +12 feed to controls & dash or ground to dash & controls is cause of problem.
This seems to be one problem that affects a number of items, but should be trouble shot as a single failure due to complexity. Troubleshoot volt meter as a single problem. When you find ground or +12 volt source problem to volt meter, one repair should fix all.
Problem could be at rear of coach, a bad connection from battery to coach on hot or ground side. Cleaning or replacing battery cables there is easier than learning to troubleshoot this area. Simple explanation: when battery is low, start engine, check voltage on cables from engine. Check voltage on battery terminals, not on clamps. If battery voltage is lower than cable voltage, then cable ends or battery clamps need attention.
I suspect you will find problem is local to volt meter. If voltage was less than 8, Allison & engine likely would lose power & control.

Eric Elliott