About two weeks ago I noticed the truck took a second or two longer to start. That has slowly gotten worse. Now it'll 50% not start on first crank, but will start on second if needed. Once started, it drives great. I also randomly have an intermittent SRS light for low voltage. It comes sporadically and usually disappears with the next start. It may not come back for a week. I have had the battery tested and it is good. I had a GROM RVRA1 plugged into the CD changer port of the radio running an Aukey BR-C8 bluetooth setup with a 1/8 stereo mini cable. I figured that was causing the drain, so yesterday I disconnected it, charged the battery and everything was great. Then, 20 hours the hard start returned. two hours later the SRS light returned. I went to recheck everything, pulled the battery to test / charge it again. As I was checking the grounds, for the first time, I did more than just eyeball the alternator ground and it just came right out with the slightest tug! I've never actually looked at the ground connection before to know what 'normal' is, but I assume the post is broken off? I'd guess this is the cause of my problems? Do I need a new alternator? Can this somehow be fixed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Yeah.. that's supposed to stay in the alternator..

 

I'm surprised your low voltage light wasn't coming on, too. But, yes...you'll probably need a new or rebuilt alternator. That stud was most-likely soldered in place, not sure if you could resolder after removing plastic cover/regulator housing...but worth checking first.

Brian.

 

Yup, no low voltage light. Weird.

I just ordered a 150A p38 one to replace this. I want to get this fixed by next week before a camping trip and have my finger's crossed this was the source of all the aforementioned problems.

 

Take plenty of pictures of your camping trip, especially with the rover involved. We need to see more of this stuff, to inspire the masses.

​​​​​​​ Brian.

 

 

When you say hard start, do you mean it is not turning over? Not turning over quickly, etc..

 

 

Double check your ground cable from battery to engine.

My ground cable that connected to the alternator mount was only very slightly corroded and I had exactly the same symptoms. I replaced starter and still had issues so I ended up jump starting, but the starter was grounding via the hand brake cable = smoke. Not pretty.