Intermittent not charging

BIGW1231

MEMBER
2010 DODGE JOURNEY
2.5L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
140,000 MILES

Pulled the wife's vehicle into the garage to change wipers. Noticed the battery light illuminated on the dash. While changing the blades, had the battery charger on. Got it to 87% charge, and she needed the car. It shut off about 3 miles from home. Got it towed home, and (granted old school) figured it had to be the alternator. Pulled it from the vehicle, and had it tested. It tested fine. Took it to two other stores and they had the same results. Reinstalled the alternator, and ground cables, cleared the codes, (did not note what they were) and started the car. No warning light! Turned off the car, went to move it out of the garage, light is back on. Took off the ground wires again at the firewall, waited and reconnected. No light! Left it running and after a 20 minute drive still no light. Brought it back into the garage, turned it off, and upon restart, light back on. Took a voltmeter across the jumping connections, and I have 12.2V with the engine running. Suggestions?

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

I need you to recheck the codes and let me know what they are. If the alternator is good and the battery terminals are clean and tight, it sounds like the voltage regulator is going bad.

The voltage regulator in this vehicle isn't of a traditional type. It isn't on the alternator. It is integral to the power-train control module (PCM). If that is the issue, it isn't repairable and will require the replacement of the PCM.

If you get the codes, it may point me in the right direction. Without them and basing this on the alt is good and all connections are tight and clean, I suspect the PCM will need replaced.

Let me know.

Joe