1990 Dodge Dakota altinator

Tiny
T-REX
  • MEMBER
  • 1990 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 224,300 MILES
Quit charging bought a new one and it doesnt charge either, had the original tested at three different places and all three times it shows 14.6 amps out put. But it wont charge the battery where do I look for the problem, as I am retired and on a very low income so I have to work on them myself and old betsy is all I have.
Sunday, September 21st, 2008 AT 10:14 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi:

On the 1990 Dakota, the alt doesn't have a built in regulator. The vehicle's computer regulates the alternator's output. If everything is hooked-up correctly, there are no broken wires, and the alt has been checked and works, the problem most likely is coming from the trucks main computer. Believe it or not, a bad alt can cause the computer to go bad.

If you have access to another 1990 dakota, maybe you could try its computer to see if that fixes the problem. If not, you'll need to purchase one and try that. If it is not the problem, make sure you can return it because it will be an expensive part.

Joe
PS: Let me know how you make out with the problem.
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Wednesday, October 1st, 2008 AT 10:44 AM

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