Community Forums

jkorn · 08-26-2020, 10:31 PM

Friend of mine is having power issues with the chassis battery system. New batteries fully discharged down to just a volt in a couple of hours.

Cummins tech came on site and said it’s a defective alternator and will cost over $3,000 to replace.

First of all, anyone else have an alternate fail such that it draws down the battery?

Secondly, $3,000 for a alternator.

Third, this issue started immediately after they replaced a radiator thermostat.

Any of this sound right... Jeff

ernieh · 08-27-2020, 12:57 AM

If the alternator actually is faulty, it should run around $500 to replace. At least that's what I paid a couple of years ago for a mobile mechanic to do the job. Bus should be easier because of the side radiator.

twinboat · 08-27-2020, 05:17 AM

Get a second opinion. Alternators can short some diodes but dead batteries in a few hours sounds excessive, along with the price.

Have someone rebuild your old alternator.

Busskipper · 08-27-2020, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkorn

Friend of mine is having power issues with the chassis battery system. New batteries fully discharged down to just a volt in a couple of hours.

Cummins tech came on site and said it’s a defective alternator and will cost over $3,000 to replace.

First of all, anyone else have an alternate fail such that it draws down the battery?

Secondly, $3,000 for a alternator.

Third, this issue started immediately after they replaced a radiator thermostat.

Any of this sound right... Jeff

Find a REAL Diesel Mechanic - I just had my Alternator replaced in Vernal Utah - Small independent shop - https://www.facebook.com/cjsdieselperformance/ -

Called rolled in on Monday Morning at 9:00 out at 12 - New alternator - after installing one that was faulty, one that was just the wrong set up from Cummins - then finally one that was right - all for $448.00 -

Shame you are not in the area, as this is the sort of shop I will search out and return to.

After leaving the shop and traveling south, we developed a Turbo Problem, so I returned (500 miles round trip) and had the work done on it, along with some other service. Again - Repaired, not replaced the turbo and actuator and all is well again, again the price was more than Fair $606.00 Four hours of work with a Master Mechanic - Really a great shop in Vernal, Utah.

IMHO you need to locate, a good local shop with a Good Honest Mechanic. CJ's meets that requirement and more........I was more than pleased.

$3,000 is just crazy.

JMHO,

garykk · 08-27-2020, 08:54 AM

Who changed out the thermostat? If all this happened right after this then I would look for a shorted wire. $3000 for an alternator is just plain robbery.
Suggest your friend go to a reputable diesel mechanic.

jkorn · 08-27-2020, 12:04 PM

He is using the local Cummins garage. Jeff

jkorn · 08-31-2020, 03:44 PM

Ok, update for those following

Cummins now thinks there is an issue in the exhaust system and a sensor that is draining the batteries. I wonder if it will be related to the recall out there for the exhaust system. I tired to get Cummins to address our couch last June, but they said because of Covid, none of them were being addressed.

wonder if that is the cause here... Jeff