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Topic: Engine warning that is actually electrical. (Read 441 times) previous topic - next topic

Engine warning that is actually electrical.

After leaving the poor coach sitting, but, plugged to shore power, I decided to get brave and go for a trip to a local spot to check it out.  Many health and family issues on the past year prevented its use.
I started it and lo and behold an engine warning appears??  With the Silverleaf system that I have got I was able to see that it was a low voltage warning.  So I cleared it and it came back, and I then saw that the alternator dropped off line at just above the idle setting??
I then adjusted the idle with the cruise controls as shown in the manual and got it to idle so that the alternator gave continuous charge.  The cause is probably an alternator diode but as we have no repairers in town I guess I will end up with a new one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thought this may help someone else with a similar problem??
Speedbird 1
2001 U320 Build #5865
Daihatsu Rocky Toad
VW Touareg
'82 F100 Stepside
Beech' Debonair

Re: Engine warning that is actually electrical.

Reply #1 –
Have you cleaned the battery connections? You need to check the sensing wire connections for corrosion also. If all the wires are clean then look at the brushes being stuck in the brush holder or a bad voltage regulator.

 If the alternator was charging when you went to high idle  you should check these things before spending $$$ on a new alternator.

 Pamela & Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Engine warning that is actually electrical.

Reply #2 –
+ one to what Mike said, probably do not need a new alternator
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Engine warning that is actually electrical.

Reply #3 –
Thanks for all the responses.

Indeed it was not the alternator.  I drove to and from the site where I was doing my shake down cruise and it all cleared up.
The problem was that I started with low batteries, and that gave the warning.  Once I reset the warning and drove it 20mls the batteries came up to 12.9 at rest and all has been fine since.

I even remembered the way to up the idle using the cruise control buttons???  Amazing.

Speedbird 1.
2001 U320 Build #5865
Daihatsu Rocky Toad
VW Touareg
'82 F100 Stepside
Beech' Debonair