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Weird Electrical Issues T660

Discussion in 'Kenworth Forum' started by sixshooterz, Oct 29, 2017.

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  1. Oct 29, 2017 #1
    sixshooterz

    sixshooterz Bobtail Member

    13
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    Jun 14, 2011
    Newnan, GA
    0
    Please help!

    I have a weird issue going on with my 2013 T660 and it's sporadic so trying to get a mechanic to look at it without breaking the bank is quite difficult.

    Starting out on Monday, my voltage gauge is showing 14V. Depending on the weather outside, it seems to only happen when warm out, the voltage will slowly drop during the day. Normally, I'd lean toward alternator, however after shutting the truck off for a period of time the voltage will be back up to between 13 and 14V. When it's cold out the issue seems to not exist at all.

    I've talked to a mechanic who said it sounds like one of the two relays on the fuse panel might be going bad. Another mechanic said it could be the low voltage disconnect.

    Thought I'd put it out here and see if anyone's had similar issues and what the resolution was. I know electrical issues are a PITA.
     
    sixshooterz, Oct 29, 2017
    sixshooterz, Oct 29, 2017
    #1
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  3. Oct 29, 2017 #2
    x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    White County, Arkansas
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    Your batteries have fluid in them.

    Winter is coming. If your batteries are cold and short on fluid it's not going to generate voltage.
     
    x1Heavy, Oct 29, 2017
    x1Heavy, Oct 29, 2017
    #2
    sixshooterz and mhyn Thank this.
  4. Oct 29, 2017 #3
    AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Did this issue just start occuring? I'd start with the basics. Make sure the drive belt isn't slipping, alternator and battery connections are good and that the alternator is actually putting out properly.

    Apples to oranges but I've owned 2 pickup trucks that did exactly that since brand new and it was never an issue. It was programmed to charge the batteries at 14-14.5 volts when cold and the voltage gradually dropped of to 12.8-13ish when there was very little demand for electrical power. On cold winter days it'd stick to about 14.
     
    AModelCat, Oct 29, 2017
    AModelCat, Oct 29, 2017
    #3
    sixshooterz, Justrucking2, SAR and 2 others Thank this.
  5. Oct 30, 2017 #4
    Mike_77

    Mike_77 Medium Load Member

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    Sep 23, 2017
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    When you say it drops how far down is it dropping?
     
    Mike_77, Oct 30, 2017
    Mike_77, Oct 30, 2017
    #4
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  7. Oct 30, 2017 #5
    Call_Me_The_Breeze

    Call_Me_The_Breeze Medium Load Member

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    Dec 30, 2015
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    Voltage regulator flaking out when hot? I've seen a few do exactly that. Also, A/C on max with lights on, combined with high-output electronics can cause voltage sags, especially if any of these are drawing more current than they should. I have also seen an alternator with a cracked output stud that caused poor output contact, causing low voltage or just wouldn't charge at all...
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2017
    Call_Me_The_Breeze, Oct 30, 2017
    Call_Me_The_Breeze, Oct 30, 2017
    #5
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  8. Oct 30, 2017 #6
    p608

    p608 Road Train Member

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    My car has been doing that since '10
     
    p608, Oct 30, 2017
    p608, Oct 30, 2017
    #6
  9. Oct 30, 2017 #7
    Justrucking2

    Justrucking2 Road Train Member

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    Mine has always done that, fluctuate during the day. When was the last time you installed new batteries? And or just got in the battery box and cleaned up all of the connections? Check the grounds and cabling? Get under the truck and look for lose wiring, lines etc.?
     
    Justrucking2, Oct 30, 2017
    Justrucking2, Oct 30, 2017
    #7
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  10. Oct 30, 2017 #8
    magoo68

    magoo68 Road Train Member

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    Jun 11, 2011
    st malo mb canada
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    A buddy has a 2011 t660 with the same issue .. he gave up on trying to fix it now if he notices voltage dropping after a long stretch running. He leaves truck in gear turns off key a few seconds then turns it back on and the voltage resets.. he spent a pile chasing things on it ... like you it's only after trucks been running a longer period once shut off it resets
     
    magoo68, Oct 30, 2017
    magoo68, Oct 30, 2017
    #8
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  11. Oct 30, 2017 #9
    sixshooterz

    sixshooterz Bobtail Member

    13
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    Jun 14, 2011
    Newnan, GA
    0
    Thank you all for the responses! Didn't expect to check back and see so many so quickly!

    To answer a couple of the questions, we just bought the truck so I'm not sure when batteries were last installed. Also, it's been happening for a couple of weeks now. I checked all of the connections and everything is tight.

    The A/C isn't running and I've tried to keep the electrical output to a minimum since it started.

    As for how fast it drops, once it starts to drop, it's around 1V an hour til the low voltage disconnect trips and shuts everything down.

    Voltage regulator could definitely be the culprit. Like I said, it happens when it gets hot after 8+ hours of working. Shutting the truck off and letting it sit and cool down seems to remedy it, at least temporarily.

    I'll report back as things progress!

    Thanks all!!
     
    sixshooterz, Oct 30, 2017
    sixshooterz, Oct 30, 2017
    #9
  12. Nov 14, 2017 #10
    Luwi67

    Luwi67 Heavy Load Member

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    I'd temporarily hook up a different gauge and see if it gives the same results.
     
    Luwi67, Nov 14, 2017
    Luwi67, Nov 14, 2017
    #10
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