Battery does not keep a charge?

BMANDR3WS

MEMBER
2004 DODGE RAM
4.7L
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
148,700 MILES

I first ran into this problem months ago. The check gages light came on and the battery gage needle went all the way to the left. I thought, "It's starting and running fine, so it's probably fine." Down the road the belt started squealing. So, I replaced the belt, and it still showed the check gauges and dead battery but ran fine for a while. Further down the road, the lights in the truck started flickering on and off on the dash randomly and when I got home the truck was completely dead. I figured; it's got to be the alternator. So, I replaced it, and it still had the same problem. So, I thought, it's got to be the battery. Replaced it. Same problem. I then cleaned off all the ground wires. Same problem. So, I replaced the fuse relay (TIPM). Same problem. Replaced the tensioner pully. Same problem. I'm at a complete loss. What else could possibly be the problem?

Saturday, February 1st, 2025 AT 4:03 PM

3 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,138 POSTS

When the engine is running does the alternator charge? This guide can help us see what's going on:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Please go over this guide and get back to us.

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Sunday, February 2nd, 2025 AT 10:24 AM

BMANDR3WS

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Yeah. It actually runs and drives fine. The battery and alternator tested just fine. I just get down the road aways, and all of a sudden, the check gages light comes on and the battery shows that there's no charge. This happened on the way to work (about a 30-mile drive) yesterday, but on the way home had no issues. I just know that if I let it go too long, it will eventually get worse and drain the battery. My only thought now is that it might be something as silly as this: there's residue on the pulleys in between the grooves from when the previous belt melted to them. My thought is that maybe that's causing the belt to slip and so the alternator isn't charging properly. If I clean them off, maybe that will solve the issue. I just haven't gotten around to it yet. If you have any other ideas of what it could be, I'm open to suggestions.

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Sunday, February 2nd, 2025 AT 1:05 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,138 POSTS

Yep, if the alternator belt slips it will affect the charging. Also, did you get a chance to see if the alternator was charging? Is the battery light on?

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Monday, February 3rd, 2025 AT 8:11 AM