Mud killed another alternator (or not?)

[mvilla]

Last weekend we went out to hollister hills for some off road fun. Drove through a mud pit and everything was fine, but a couple days later I got the service charging system NOW alert.

I turned off the vehicle and restarted and the alert went away. This has happened 4 times now over the last week, and every time I turn it off and back on after driving a little bit the alert goes away.

What I am thinking is that the mud caked on the alternator isn’t bad enough to cause a failure, so once I can drive it around a little bit the mud breaks up and allows the alternator to charge the battery. I have a ‘23 badlands so I believe it has the upgraded shield.

What would you do in this situation? I don’t think it will be covered by the TSB because I already have the new shield, and it seems to be getting better the more I drive it. I’m a little worried taking it off road, but I do have a jumper pack that I can use if needed.

Is there something I can spray on to clean it without damaging the alternator? I’m afraid to hit it with water and make it worse.

Should I just take it out and clean it off? Hoping I don’t have to do that because I have the rough country hidden winch installed and would be a real PITA to do.

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[contented]

I have a 22 badlands 2.3 L and my alternator was replaced and they performed the tsb (added shield) at the same time. Same general symptoms, also full of dried mud. When I got it home after the repair I was surprised to discover I can look directly down at the copper windings. The bottom of my alternator is 23-24” off the ground. Because the owners manual says maximum wading depth for Sasquatch package is 33.5”, I draw the conclusion the the alternator will tolerate some reasonably non muddy water water. My point is that perhaps you could gently take a hose to the open part of your alternator and try to flush some of the grit out. I don’t think you have anything to lose. If it works, great. If not, I think you’ll ultimately be replacing your alternator anyways.

Personally, my new approach is I stay out of mud and deeper water.

 

[Felix808]

The only way to really clean it is to pull it & open it up. You've got to clean out any obstruction between the rotor & stator to have a chance of saving it

 

[Murraydog11]

Last weekend we went out to hollister hills for some off road fun. Drove through a mud pit and everything was fine, but a couple days later I got the service charging system NOW alert.

I turned off the vehicle and restarted and the alert went away. This has happened 4 times now over the last week, and every time I turn it off and back on after driving a little bit the alert goes away.

What I am thinking is that the mud caked on the alternator isn’t bad enough to cause a failure, so once I can drive it around a little bit the mud breaks up and allows the alternator to charge the battery. I have a ‘23 badlands so I believe it has the upgraded shield.

What would you do in this situation? I don’t think it will be covered by the TSB because I already have the new shield, and it seems to be getting better the more I drive it. I’m a little worried taking it off road, but I do have a jumper pack that I can use if needed.

Is there something I can spray on to clean it without damaging the alternator? I’m afraid to hit it with water and make it worse.

Should I just take it out and clean it off? Hoping I don’t have to do that because I have the rough country hidden winch installed and would be a real PITA to do.

I had the exact same situation. I took mine in, told them the story, showed them this picture, and I got a new alternator, new cover, and new belt under warranty at 20,000 miles.

 

[mvilla]

I had the exact same situation. I took mine in, told them the story, showed them this picture, and I got a new alternator, new cover, and new belt under warranty at 20,000 miles.

How long did they have it for? Is yours a ‘23?

 

[BroncoBobArea51]

Rainy day, went thru this with a 2022 Badlands last year. No issues.

 

[Murraydog11]

How long did they have it for? Is yours a ‘23?

Mine's a '21, and it was done in half a day. They ordered all the parts when I had my oil changed, and I was scheduled and repaired about a week later. They even offered to do a free pick up and drop off, but I don't trust anybody I don't know to drive my truck if I don't absolutely have to...

 

[Iron Lion]

The only way to really clean it is to pull it & open it up. You've got to clean out any obstruction between the rotor & stator to have a chance of saving it

Is this a 2.3 ot 2.7 ? I have heard of issues going through water etc. that the truck dies. And is there an upgraded cover or shield for this issue?

 

[mvilla]

It’s a 2.7, and model years 23+ have an upgraded shield, which didn’t really help me much.

well, actually, maybe it did. So yesterday I went to the car wash and opened the hood and gently sprayed water where the alternator is. So far, everything seems to be working again. Although I have noticed the voltage swings more, but I’ll take that over not working.

 

[mvilla]

Update: whatever was working seems to be short lived. Now my battery is dropping significantly and won't charge at all. Seems a trip to the dealer is needed.

 

[Aonarch]

Yup dead alternator from the mud.

This platform and the Ranger have horrible alternator placement.

 

[mvilla]

Yup dead alternator from the mud.

This platform and the Ranger have horrible alternator placement.

I ended up pulling it out yesterday and cleaning it up. It was caked in mud. Working on getting it back installed and it’s no easy feat. Hopefully it works out, if it does I’ll update

 

[SpringTXOR]

I ended up pulling it out yesterday and cleaning it up. It was caked in mud. Working on getting it back installed and it’s no easy feat. Hopefully it works out, if it does I’ll update

It helps to remove the stud, I found that out when retro fitting the new cover. I removed the stud then put it back in once the alternator was situated. I do not fear messing with it now!

 

[mvilla]

It helps to remove the stud, I found that out when retro fitting the new cover. I removed the stud then put it back in once the alternator was situated. I do not fear messing with it now!

yeah getting that cover back on was a pain in the ass! Wish I had done that.

well I got everything back on and still not working

 

[Noremac]

I sunk my first alternator in a mudhole and immediately knew i fugged up... 20 seconds out the other side, DINNGGGG.. Service Charging System NOW....
(terrible quality clipped from a video)

That was back last October at about 18,000 miles.. Warranty covered the replacement and performed the TSB shield update.


I did something similar 2-3 weeks back on the passenger side and no charging fault this time, so the tsb does help... ended up pushing a wall of thick Ozark mud up to the headlight and honestly though i was about to go swimming to winch myself out. thankfully i was able to get some wiggle room in reverse and go around the deepest chunk.

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