136 Amp alternator swap problems....please help

[danheit]

Hey guys, I did the 136 Amp alternator swap tonight from a wrecked V10 dodge ram, but I am still showing the same Maintenance Req'd code #12, and of course the ever famous 33 (A/C). I can't figure it out. It also doesn't seem to be charging all that high either. Any ideas? I am curious about the little black thing on the back of the alternator. Voltage Regulator maybe? Please help!

[RockWoRM]

I'm no electrical guru, but I do know U should check and clean all your ground connections throughout. See if that helps.



WoRM

[OhioYJ]

#12 and #33 should not light the check engine light. #12 just means the battery has been disconnected within the last 50 starts, which would make sense if you just replaced the alternator. #33 is normal if you don't have AC. I'm guessing you are talking about the Maintenence Required light and NOT the Check Engine light. The maintenance light comes at a set time, there is a timer box under the dash that controls this.

You gauge shows the alternator is charging right? Remember all alternators should put out roughly 14 volts, its the amperage thats different and thats what really matters. An alternator that puts out 14 volts at 0 amps, isn't doing anything, in fact its a bad alternator. From my writeup on the swap, my Dodge alternator put out 60 amps at idle, I'll have to measure a stock Jeep next time I get one in the shop, but to help explain lets say the factory alternator can only put out 40 amps at idle. The high output one is still putting out more even though both alternators are showing 14.4 volts.