3 Bronco 2.7 Alternators fail at same event and place @ the Bronco the Ozarks Event

[BroncoBuckaroo]

Three Bronco Alternators Go Down at Off-Road Event:

What Went Wrong? 4x4 Trail Fix! Is your 2021+ Ford Bronco alternator failing after mudding?

In this video, we document an intense off-road trail day where 3 Ford Broncos suffered charging system problems simultaneously, leaving us with discharging batteries and a "Charging System Service Now" warning light.

This is a must-watch for 2.7L Bronco enthusiasts dealing with alternator issues after deep muddy water crossings or mud pits. We take a look at what it takes to get our rigs back running on the trail without a tow or dealership visit.

If you are a Ford Bronco owner, off-road enthusiast, or lover of trail repair, this video breaks down why the Bronco alternator sits in a high-risk location and potential solutions like brushless alternators to help upgrade the charging system.

Key Takeaways: The muddy water 2021+ Bronco alternator issue. How to diagnose charging system errors after mudding DIY Bronco alternator removal and repair tips

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[Baja Bronco]

It’s kind of been out there forever. Bronco alternators and water don’t mix. If you bomb through a water crossing or deep water, 50 / 50 shot you’ll waste your alternator.

 

[Beach_Bum]

It’s kind of been out there forever. Bronco alternators and water don’t mix. If you bomb through a water crossing or deep water, 50 / 50 shot you’ll waste your alternator.

It's not the water that's the problem, but rather the suspended solids in the water. You can drive through a clean running water repeatedly with no expected problems. Splash through a mud puddle? Roll of the dice.

 

[Felix808]

You can always try to open it up and clean it out. That has worked before as mud or debris interferes with the rotor & stator, not always killing the alt but disabling it until cleaned out. But it's quicker & faster to just shoot the parts cannon though

 

[BroncoBuckaroo]

It’s kind of been out there forever. Bronco alternators and water don’t mix. If you bomb through a water crossing or deep water, 50 / 50 shot you’ll waste your alternator.

I don‘t have any problems in deep water. Only thing I think I may do (That a lot of jeep owners do) is maKe it where I can switch off the alternator and run on just battery when I go through water crossings. Then after a few minutes switch back on the alternator.

 

[Felix808]

I don‘t have any problems in deep water. Only thing I think I may do (That a lot of jeep owners do) is maKe it where I can switch off the alternator and run on just battery when I go through water crossings. Then after a few minutes switch back on the alternator.

It's still going to pump junk into it as the belt will still be spinning it around

 

[BroncoBuckaroo]

It's still going to pump junk into it as the belt will still be spinning it around

yes agreed, but I’m strictly talking about water crossing with fairly clean water.

 

[Felix808]

yes agreed, but I’m strictly talking about water crossing with fairly clean water.

Though I don't do a ton a water crossings, I like it .
Show us the way please

 

[BroncoBuckaroo]

Though I don't do a ton a water crossings, I like it .
Show us the way please

Thanks Felix - I will - stay tuned

 

[Rivers90]

The 2.7 and 3.0 have the alternator low on the engine. The 2.3 is higher up. This is why the Bronco Everglades only came with the 2.3

For lower water, splash protection. It would be interesting to see how much coverage different skid plates have. Some are more open to the sides.

Mud and water getting on the brushes of an alternator took out an alternator on a vehicle I had years ago. After a deep water crossing I saw the alternator warning light was on and the system was not charging. The Alternator dried out and went back to working. But water started corrosion and it stopped working totally about a week later.

12v is so low voltage there is little risk of something shorting out in water. It is the non-conductiveness of mud and water that will get you first, keeping power from crossing the brushes in the alternator. Then corrosion finishes you off days later.

I guess you could try to clean the mud out of the alternator when to are out of the mud, but the fan belt is spinning the alternator whenever the engine is running so the mud get ground into the brushes and that may be too much for them.

Spray water on the alternator to get the mud out then spray WD40 on the alternator to get the water out?

 

[Broncofly]

What year are those Bronco's? I had mud do the same to mine (2021) and had the new shield part put in....... The first couple years these were not installed, it was an updated part on newer Bronco's.

 

[BroncoBuckaroo]

What year are those Bronco's? I had mud do the same to mine (2021) and had the new shield part put in....... The first couple years these were not installed, it was an updated part on newer Bronco's.

There is a difference between mud and very muddy water. This was very muddy water..the alternators are not sealed with the new shields. Muddy water will still easily get in Past the shield. The broncos were 2021, 2022 and 2025.

 

[Andrew Bynum]

mudding

muddy

deep muddy water crossings or mud pits.

muddy

mudding

But wait…

I’m strictly talking about water crossing with fairly clean water.

And then a few moments later…

This was very muddy water

 

[Desmolicious]

This is why I look forward to the EV Bronco. No alternator….

 

[BigJim1957]

This was an issue discussed in an earlier thread.


(31) Muddy water fording alternator issue fix: TSB 22-2392 -- Mud Accumulation in Generator | Bronco6G - 2021+ Ford Bronco & Bronco Raptor Forum, News, Blog & Owners Community

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