2000 Dodge Dakota Electrical

2000 DODGE DAKOTA
167,000 MILES • 5.8L • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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REGGY73
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have an intermittent charging problem. I drive for 20 to 30 miles with no issue, then I start to see the battery gauge drop to around 12v then back to 14 then drops again and back to 14. Eventually the gauge reads 0. I stop the car restart and it read 14 again. Checked the voltage at the battery when gauge read 0 and it was 12.2v. Battery never dies but they cycle has gone on for days...help
Dec 2, 2015 at 4:34 PM
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CARADIODOC
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 34,321 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
This is typically caused by worn brushes inside the alternator, especially at the mileage you listed. If you have the little silver Nippendenso alternator, the brush assembly costs around nine dollars, but you might have to visit a rebuilder or order the assembly online to find it. You can try auto parts stores' web sites too.
Dec 2, 2015 at 5:17 PM
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