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Black box on top of alternator

19K views 22 replies 14 participants last post by  Boujii 
#1 ·
So, my new-to-me 5.9 has been doing a weird charging/no-charging thing. I had some posts on it in my general questions thread here --> http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f13/new-me-5-9-gc-some-questions-1533877/, but I want to pull this one item out into a separate thread.

Here was how I described the issue in the other thread:

Charging system - after a few days of working fine, my charging systen seems to have fritzed out on me. Driving along today, all good, suddenly my volt gauge goes to ZERO, and "check battery" begins flashing on the VIC. Still running fine, as are all the electrical items like lights, e-fan, etc. I make it back home, about 10 miles, with no drama. Now, in the driveway, it will start up, gauge reads about 10 volts or so for a minute +/-, and then it drops to zero, and check battery message. I cleaned terminals, and checked cables, they look okay.​

And, after some suggestions, I updated with ths:

So, today I went down to the local FLAPS and had them do the battery test. Battery tested fine. So, since it's so damn easy to do, I pulled the alternator right there in the parking lot and took it inside so they could mount in in their testing rig. Good news/bad news is that it tested perfect. Good news, because, hey, I don't need an alternator. Bad news, cause that means I move on to the next likely fail point. I guess it's the PCM now, right?​

Later, I discovered I had new symptoms, here:

If I start the Jeep and the volt gauge jumps up to about 14, it will be fine until I turn the ignition off, no matter if I drive 1 mile or 10 miles. If I start the Jeep, and the volt meter goes up to just a hair over 12, in less than half a mile, the volt gauge drops suddenly to zero concurrent with warning chimes and "Check Battery" on the VIC. Jeep will keep running, at least for a while. I really haven't pushed this too far. New thing to add here is that I plugged a cigarette lighter volt meter in, and watched it as the Jeep malfunctioned. In the case where it starts off barely above 12V, when the chimes/alarms/VIC go off, the voltage actually sometimes jumps to 13.7 or 13.8 volts. Most of the time, it doesn't, it just hovers around 12V.

Okay, so now I have new info. I feel like a detective circling his prey. Today I'm working on the Jeep, and I remembered my Dad would sometimes tap on electrical components and sometimes it would work. So, opened up the hood, positioned a voltmeter plugged into the cigarette lighter where I could see it from under the hood (it's attached to a 4 foot cord) and started using a short piece of rebar to tap on things. Not too hard, just a tap. So, engine running, voltmeter reads 12.1V

  • Tapped on PCM connectors. no change
  • Tapped on battery terminals, no change
  • Tapped on black plastic box on top wire of alternator, BINGO

Whn I tapped on that black box, the voltage meter immediately jumped up to 13.7, AND the sound of the alternator immediately changed. It went from making no discernible noise to a slight whine or whirring sound.

So, what is this magic little box?

Does it need replacing, or does my alternator need replacing?

Because the alternator had tested good, I tended to think the problem was something else, but now I'm not so sure.
 
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#2 ·
No one knows what's inside the black box. Never heard of one failing either.

When you tap it, you are also tapping the alternator field coil connections. If you overtorque the small nuts it will harm the alternator. Checking the alternator on a machine isn't a foolproof test. It might not catch an intermittent problem.
 
#3 ·
I love the idea that no one knows what is inside the black box. :shhh: Maybe it's where Chrysler put the extra HP?

Yeah, kinda figured that it was actually the alternator that was benefiting from the taps. Now I know when i start it, if it doesn't immediately jump up to 13.7V or better, just a little love tap gets the juice flowing. Once the alternator fires up, it doesn't drop back down until I turn the engine off. Then, on restart, it's a roll of the dice.

Guess I'll be getting a new alt.
 
#6 ·
If you're talking about the moulded rubber box with all the pigtails coming out of it (three or four) on the back of the alternator - there are NO electronics in it. It is a "convenience block," used to keep the assorted wring on the back located properly when disconnected.

However, if you tap it and things pick back up, here are the likely causes of your trouble:
- Field coil stud nuts loose. Retorque (gently! Finger tight plus 1/4-1/3 turn is enough! You may replaces these with Nylon collar locknuts - they should be M4-0.6 or M5-0.8.)
- B+ stud nut loose. This should be M6-1.0 and can & should be replaced with a Nylon collar locknut as well.
- Field coil and/or B+ stud connections dirty - disassemble, clean, reterminate PRN.
- Corrosion/Contamination of wiring inside block. Trace out individual leads and reterminate, sealing connections.

As I said, there are NO electronics in that block to worry about - so if you can fix it through "percussion maintenance" then those are the likely causes.

Good luck! YMMV. TANSTAAFL. Void where Prohibited. Open Somewhere Else.
 
#7 ·
I was able to replicate the "tap healing" by just tapping on the alternator itself. Like someone said upthread, in tapping on the black box, I was essentially tapping on the alternator. I'm going to throw a part at it, and hope for the best. New alternator tomorrow AM, I'll pick up some nylocks and a brass brush, along with a tube of dielectric grease.
 
#8 ·
New alternator. New nylocks. Checked and cleaned all terminals. All good now. Hasn't done the low voltage thing all day. I'm deeming it all good now.

Next thing to tackle will be the growling rear axle.
 
#9 ·
New alternator. New nylocks. Checked and cleaned all terminals. All good now. Hasn't done the low voltage thing all day. I'm deeming it all good now.

Next thing to tackle will be the growling rear axle.
I hear ya there! Mine kinda sounds a bit more from the pass side but not sure yet?
 
#12 ·
... It's just a molded module that holds the wires in the correct place.
Kind of a protective "wire strain relief" type of thingy then.
Good to know too, as I was about to start digging into a friend's as well.
I figured with the intermittent nature of the issue, and the occasional moving of objects under the hood, it was seeming less and less likely to be the PCM.

Just like the OP's condition, when it was charging, it would stay charging until you turned the engine off. Then it was back to square one.
Cleaning the engine compartment and re-jiggling things got it working yesterday, but no amount of fiddling after it stopped would get it working again.

I had already almost thrown a new alternator at it, but decided to play detective a little longer before going there. Guess I'll just go for it and help the guy out some more.
Trying anything to avoid the more expensive PCM replacement/fix. I know the fix is cheap, but not feeling like sitting there over a hot soldering iron anytime soon. Rather spend the 100 on a new alternator!
Hmm, maybe a junkyard run? After all, it's only 102 out here today.
But it's a dry heat. :D

Thanks for throwing some of your money around first leftfield. Time for me to step up and do the same thing...

Paul
 
#13 ·
I forgot to ask. Does the standard high output alternator have completely different connections? Or can you still attach the Generator Field Driver Connector (the little black thingy's official name) to the back in the same way?
I was ready to post that up in a separate thread, when I came across yours. I could have compared the two side-by-side in the store, but that would have meant going outside!

And I should ask, does your 5.9 have the 90 amp or the (what?) 116 amp version? Is the black box literally on top of the alt, or down on the back?

Paul
 
#14 ·
Alternative (temporary) workaround

I just registered so I could add that I recently experienced the exact same odd problem and symptoms as the OP of this thread.

On mine, I noticed that if I put pressure on the black box towards the front of the vehicle (ie- standing at the front of the vehicle and pulling the black box towards me), the alternator would re-engage with a distinctive whine.

My guess is that it has something to do with the field coil connections inside the alternator.

It's not simply an external contact issue. I too tried cleaning all connections, first with a toothbrush and brake cleaner, and then with a wire brush bit on a Dremel. Ultimately ineffective.

The workaround has been to create a little "harness" of sorts using heat resistant cable ties across the alternator mounts and strapping around the black box as well to apply a constant tension on it towards the front of the vehicle. (I could maybe take a picture or try and draw it if anyone is actually interested.)

As an interesting side note, I was also confused what the black box was until I read here. I saw it called all sorts of things across the web. Does it even have an actual part name or number? How would one even get a replacement of one or its associated cables if needed?
 
#15 ·
the black box thingy is just a connector. i have seen it called a terminal block. it connects to the field terminals which are part of the brush holder assembly. when you move the connector, it could flex the brush holder enough to disturb the brushes resting position on the slip rings. This is more apt to happen if the brushes are worn. As the bushes wear, it reduces the tension of the spring behind the brushes, thus reducing the force brush of contact with the slip rings.

my solution was to take the alternator out, remove the brush assembly, desolder the brushes, take them to an auto electric shop and get them to match the brushes, solder them back in, put it back together and drive it for another 80K. 1 hour labor and 15 bucks. :)
 
#17 ·
when you move the connector, it could flex the brush holder enough to disturb the brushes resting position on the slip rings. This is more apt to happen if the brushes are worn. As the bushes wear, it reduces the tension of the spring behind the brushes, thus reducing the force brush of contact with the slip rings.
That sounds dead on, and is consistent with what I figured from my observations. If I wedged something between the center black box connector(s) and the back of the alternator, the tension on those screw posts would likewise improve contact and temporarily re-engage the alternator.
 
#16 ·
FWIW, leftfield6's niner is still going strong with the replacement alternator.

Sent from my iPhone 6 using JeepForum
 
#19 ·
I just dropped my '92 Jeep Cherokee Sport off at a mechanic because I was having charging system problems and error 41 about the alternator field not switching properly.
when I looked at the alternator the night my battery drained completely, I saw that a nut on the black box thing known as the Generator Field Driver Connector was loose so I hand tightened it thinking it was just a mounting bracket. I didn't try jumping it after that. I had it towed to the mechanic to fix it. would tightening that nut fixed my problem instead of an alternator swap?

Here is a photo.
I know it's pretty leaky under there. I can't figure out what's leaking the most because all my fluid levels stay full.:eek:
 

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#21 ·
Tapping on alternator did the trick to identify the problem

I wasn't quite sure what to replace. Took it to the autozone and alternator tested good. Of course we know we can't trust those tests especially with an intermittent problem. The last thing I wanted to deal with was the PCM. I had already replaced the capacitors on it once and no hurry to get inside there again. Nor did I want to go the old external Mopar voltage regulator method either if I didn't have to. For the most part the voltage was fine and dandy when it was working. Like others have posted in other threads, "if it is working, it will stay working until shut off".

Anyhow I would just like to confirm that at the moment the engine was running, only 12v was being detected. This of course was the battery voltage only. A simple tap with a hammer on the alternator and immediately got 14v. As previously posted by ZeeJay1997, this is probably the brushes being wore.
 
#22 ·
Could perhaps be this:
Loss Of Battery Feed to the Power Distribution Center

http://www.jeep-club.at/troubless/TSB/08-41-95.htm

Theres also something here to perhaps try but i dunno if doing it will help you or not, others can chime in here but perhaps you can make a bypass for that Generator Field Driver box like what was done on this
Write-Up; Durango 160amp alternator swap

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f13/write-up-durango-160amp-alternator-swap-1330999/

Dunno if that would work or not. What jeep ya werkin on ?
 
#23 ·
Too Early To Tell



1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD 4.0L MFI 6cyl

I did have an issue with the battery terminal connectors being a bit loose at times. I could turn them by hand. They are the originals so the inside of the connection must be worn because even tightened all the way, they would still be loose at some spots. I had a set of battery shims I just put on the other night and worked quite well as far as them being loose.
It's only been a couple days and have only driven it a few times so far. So a bit too early to tell if this actually did anything or if the problem will arise again. I am always looking at the gauge and so far all is well. Plus in loss will usually trigger the 41 error check engine code. So I'll be looking for that as well.

I am scoping out those two links you sent. Thank you for that. I will be sure to investigate those as well before replacing the alternator.
 
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