Electrical problem solved; you won't believe the cause
MrMGA
01-20-2005, 07:38 PM
I'm the guy who posted a message about an electrical problem on my '95 Rodeo: the charging light, brake light and fuel light on the instrument panel came on and the a/c-heater fan did not work. I replaced the battery and alternator (twice.) Here's what was actually going on:
It turns out the the clips on the main connector plug that attaches to the alternator were broken. The shop that replaced the two alternators broke them and/or should have noticed. Instead, they simply pushed the plug in without using the clips. Eventually the plug worked its way out and the symptoms noted above occurred. Three shops (Pep Boys, Sears and my local Isuzu dealer) did NOT catch this. A fourth shop that specializes in electrical problems quickly found the problem and fixed it. Everything seems to be working fine now.
If there's a lesson to be learned, it is "Check the fundamentals first." That is, make sure everything is hooked up tightly first. That lesson cost me $900.
It turns out the the clips on the main connector plug that attaches to the alternator were broken. The shop that replaced the two alternators broke them and/or should have noticed. Instead, they simply pushed the plug in without using the clips. Eventually the plug worked its way out and the symptoms noted above occurred. Three shops (Pep Boys, Sears and my local Isuzu dealer) did NOT catch this. A fourth shop that specializes in electrical problems quickly found the problem and fixed it. Everything seems to be working fine now.
If there's a lesson to be learned, it is "Check the fundamentals first." That is, make sure everything is hooked up tightly first. That lesson cost me $900.
Slade901
01-20-2005, 08:10 PM
I guess any broken plug clips of any connector needs to be secured with a tie-wrap.
Ramblin Fever
01-21-2005, 08:29 AM
I'm the guy who posted a message about an electrical problem on my '95 Rodeo: the charging light, brake light and fuel light on the instrument panel came on and the a/c-heater fan did not work. I replaced the battery and alternator (twice.) Here's what was actually going on:
It turns out the the clips on the main connector plug that attaches to the alternator were broken. The shop that replaced the two alternators broke them and/or should have noticed. Instead, they simply pushed the plug in without using the clips. Eventually the plug worked its way out and the symptoms noted above occurred. Three shops (Pep Boys, Sears and my local Isuzu dealer) did NOT catch this. A fourth shop that specializes in electrical problems quickly found the problem and fixed it. Everything seems to be working fine now.
If there's a lesson to be learned, it is "Check the fundamentals first." That is, make sure everything is hooked up tightly first. That lesson cost me $900.
FWIW, find yourself a good, trustworthy "Import" mechanic, they are worth every dime, for peace of mind, of anything else. I don't know how many times, when my truck was still under warranty the dealership couldn't figure out a problem - one trip to my mechanic and he'd figure it out, write up what the problem was, then send me back to the dealership for them to fix the problem. Stupid problems generally, too.
Don't trust any Pepboys, Goodyear, Sears, Walmart, etc to work on these trucks, they don't know these engines; even though something such as a connector should've been an easy find for any mechanic - you'd be surprized what else they can mess up just looking around.
It turns out the the clips on the main connector plug that attaches to the alternator were broken. The shop that replaced the two alternators broke them and/or should have noticed. Instead, they simply pushed the plug in without using the clips. Eventually the plug worked its way out and the symptoms noted above occurred. Three shops (Pep Boys, Sears and my local Isuzu dealer) did NOT catch this. A fourth shop that specializes in electrical problems quickly found the problem and fixed it. Everything seems to be working fine now.
If there's a lesson to be learned, it is "Check the fundamentals first." That is, make sure everything is hooked up tightly first. That lesson cost me $900.
FWIW, find yourself a good, trustworthy "Import" mechanic, they are worth every dime, for peace of mind, of anything else. I don't know how many times, when my truck was still under warranty the dealership couldn't figure out a problem - one trip to my mechanic and he'd figure it out, write up what the problem was, then send me back to the dealership for them to fix the problem. Stupid problems generally, too.
Don't trust any Pepboys, Goodyear, Sears, Walmart, etc to work on these trucks, they don't know these engines; even though something such as a connector should've been an easy find for any mechanic - you'd be surprized what else they can mess up just looking around.
Tonupboy
01-21-2005, 10:03 AM
Did you buy a new connector? I have your same problem, but after changing my alternator, and charging, it seems to be working smoothly again. Then again, mine was covered with oil when my engine was leaking a while back....lol.....Good job resolving the issue!
MrMGA
01-22-2005, 01:28 AM
Did you buy a new connector? I have your same problem, but after changing my alternator, and charging, it seems to be working smoothly again.
The mechanic could not buy a new connector alone; he says you can only get one by buying the entire wire harness at a price of $260. Instead, he somehow fabricated a "homemade" connector that he soldered to the alternator. I'm not sure exactly how he did this, but it works. However, if I never need to replace the alternator again, I'll run into the same problem.
The mechanic could not buy a new connector alone; he says you can only get one by buying the entire wire harness at a price of $260. Instead, he somehow fabricated a "homemade" connector that he soldered to the alternator. I'm not sure exactly how he did this, but it works. However, if I never need to replace the alternator again, I'll run into the same problem.
MrMGA
01-22-2005, 01:36 AM
However, if I never need to replace the alternator again, I'll run into the same problem.
That should read "ever", not "never."
That should read "ever", not "never."
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2025