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captmorgan09
Dodge Dakota
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8/26/2008
19:01:15
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 Subject: '00 Dakota 4.7L: Battery gauge maxed out
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This is on a 2000 4.7L Dakota Sport 4x4:
Last weekend I was headed back home from a camping trip and my check gauge light came on. Looked at the battery gauge and it was maxed out at 18v. I thought maybe something went haywire with my custom amp install, so I pulled over and disconnected the main line going to my amplifier fuse box. Started her up and everything was fine.
Until yesterday.... I was headed back to work after lunch and the same thing happened. The check gauge light comes on and the battery gauge is maxed at 18v. I was only a couple hundred yards from the parking lot so I pulled in and parked. Popped the hood and checked to ensure the main line to my amps wasn't shorting out on anything, which it wasn't. Didn't look into anything else since I was running late. When I hopped back in the truck to head home a few hours later the battery was completely dead and the truck won't turn over. I haven't tried jumping it yet because I'm worried about the voltage maxing out again and frying something.
Anyone have any ideas? Could it be that the alternator has given out on me or the battery has a problem? I've gone through a couple batteries so far on this truck, but never saw it running at 18v before. Thanks in advance for any advice.
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Gregg
Dodge Dakota
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8/26/2008
19:17:04
|  RE: '00 Dakota 4.7L: Battery gauge maxed out
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Get it to a reputable repair shop and have them check the battery and the charging system. The Powertrain Control Module positions the gauge needle, so maybe the PCM is getting bad battery voltage spikes. Also, there's a battery temp sensor under the battery that plays a part in battery charging. Check it out.
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partsmanager
Dodge Dakota
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8/26/2008
20:49:41
| RE: '00 Dakota 4.7L: Battery gauge maxed out
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Check all connections for the battery and alternator first. did you check for any voltage from the battery? when you reconnected the battery after the install its possible you blew the alternator fuse in the PDC open it and check its the one screwed to the pos and neg cables. How old is the battery? might have just decided to go on permanent summer vacation
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TuckerLdlow
Dodge Dakota
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8/31/2008
00:50:57
| RE: '00 Dakota 4.7L: Battery gauge maxed out
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I had this happen on several occasions a couple years ago. With mine, it would happen while I was driving. On each occasion, it was after I'd been on the road for a couple hours. I'd be tooling along and all of a sudden I'd get this "Ding!" out of the Information Center and it'd be displaying "CHECK GAUGES" at me.
The battery gauge would be pegged, like you say. In my case, I turned on the radio, all the lights, etc. just to increase the load and within a minute or so the battery gauge would return to normal.
I took it to the dealer, who couldn't find anything wrong - but said that it was likely the PCM and that it would probably have to be replaced. I held off, waiting to see if my extended warranty would cover it.
I installed a Superchips tuner right after that, and haven't had the problem since. I don't know if the Superchips eliminated the problem or what - it just went away.
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Kowalski
GenIII
8/31/2008
07:23:20
| RE: '00 Dakota 4.7L: Battery gauge maxed out
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A bad ground between motor and frame can also cause overcharging. One more thing to check.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Kyle
Dodge Dakota
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9/11/2008
02:19:38
| RE: '00 Dakota 4.7L: Battery gauge maxed out
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I had that happen on mine. check that your positive cable is not grounding out anywhere. thats what mine was
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Massey
Dodge Dakota
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9/16/2008
04:08:08
| RE: '00 Dakota 4.7L: Battery gauge maxed out
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Dont forget the simple and obvous here guys. The regulator in the Alternator. I know in some years the regulator is in the PCM but if parts memory serves me correct the 4.7 has it built into the alternator. If you have an Advance Auto Parts or one of the CSK part stores in your area they will do a battery/Alternator check for free, in or out of the truck. Also most CSK or Advance stores also have a OBDII code reader that can pull trouble codes for you to help your troubleshooting.
Massey
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