1987 Dodge Aries frying alternators

Tiny
SLUGBEAST
  • MEMBER
  • 1987 DODGE ARIES
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 60,000 MILES
The voltage on my car seemed a little low so I decided to replace the alternator. I replaced it and the voltage went up to where it should be. The battery died a few days later so the car ran off the alternator for a while being jumped a few times before I bought a new battery. After getting the new battery things went back to normal for a few days. Then the voltage started getting lower, the alternator had died. I went and put another new one in and it worked for a day, now brand new alternator #2 has stopped producing electricity. I have coated as many electrical connections as I can with silicone dielectric grease and looked for shorts but haven't found any clues.
Friday, October 2nd, 2009 AT 6:37 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check if it has an external voltage regulator its job is to regulate the alternator output
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Friday, October 2nd, 2009 AT 6:51 PM
Tiny
SLUGBEAST
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Its controlled by the SMEC in my aries. When I ran the diagnostic the two codes that came up were "charging system voltage too low" (no surprise there) and "voltage sense" haynes manual says this about that code: "No voltage present at logic board during controller operation"

So even though I put dielectric grease on the harnesses of the SMEC it still doesn't get any electricity? Do you think installing the new alternator (which entails unhooking the battery) and thus resetting something makes alternator work for awile.

Thoughts and ideas appreciated, i'll do more diagnostic work and experimenting tomorrow.
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Friday, October 2nd, 2009 AT 7:31 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check and test the power module at left fender side shield


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_aries_charge_circuit_1.jpg

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Friday, October 2nd, 2009 AT 7:38 PM

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