2003 Dodge Ram Battery charging gauge

KURT BROCKMAN

MEMBER
2003 DODGE RAM

Electrical problem
2003 Dodge Ram 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Manual 127k miles

I own a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 with the 5.9 turbo cummings engine. I noticed lately that my truck was getting harder and harder to start. I replaced the maintance free baterries(2). Didnt help, so I went and replaced the chirping alternator, didnt help. Meanwhile, I noticed that the battery charging gauge was acting wierd. When I start my truck(hot or cold days) the needle on the gauge shows 8-10 volts. After the truck is running it could be 5 minutes or 25 minutes that the needle might decide to move up to 14. What should I do? Thanks

1 Reply

MATHIASO

MECHANIC
1,209 POSTS

Hello Kurt Brockman

perform visual inspection of the starting system.

Inspect condition of battery cable terminals, battery posts, connections at engine block, starter solenoid and relay. They should be clean and tight.

Inspect generator drive belt condition and tension
Inspect automatic belt tensioner
Inspect generator electrical connections at generator field, battery output, and ground terminal . Also check generator ground wire connection at engine . They should all be clean and tight.
There is an electronic voltage regulator on your vehicle
The Electronic Voltage Regulator (EVR) is not a separate component. It is actually a voltage regulating circuit located within the PCM (within the ECM for diesel engines). The EVR is not serviced separately. If replacement is necessary, the PCM must be replaced.
first perform a visual inspection before we can go further.