2019 non-eTorque, 18K miles, no 12" screen and burning alternator after changed to AGM battery

[mhenry1762]

My 2019 only has 18K miles, but after a few slow starts two days ago, it was time to change the original stock battery yesterday. Haven't had any electrical issues with this truck, but noticed a bunch of fluid in the battery tray when I pulled the old one. Also noticed while cleaning it up, the 12" infotainment screen was flashing on and off almost like a turn signal. Installed the EverStart AGM battery, total power down time about 20 minutes. Truck fired right up, sounds normal, no center screen. Tried the various reset procedures except disconnecting the battery again. Downloaded the 40.1 update on a USB stick, no change. Fuse 44 under wheel is fine. So I just left everything off overnight and the truck connected to a Battery Tender Jr. like I have always had it.

Today, walk out there, start the truck on the brand new battery, it nearly doesn't start, slow as hell! But it started, cluster shows 14.3V. No radio. Something also sounds off, I open the hood and I have this sound coming from the alternator like you would hear in an aftermarket radio with a bad ground... not quite a whine, not quite a buzz. But I put my hand on the casing and nearly burned myself, shut the truck right off. The alternator casing is burning hot to the touch after only a minute of running, so it's not engine heat. I'm afraid of that alternator catching fire, should I have it towed? Put the old battery back in? Damn, I never had anything like this changing two batteries at a time on my older Cummins trucks!

I think the radio may have something to do with it, the UAX controller or whatever, I pulled the dash yesterday to look at connections and I noticed the controller was slightly warm, and this was with the truck powered off for hours. Think it's trying to update?

 

[mhenry1762]

Well, I can explain the burning alternator -- went out there now and the battery is 11.45 V even on the battery tender! Disconnected the battery from the truck, left it direct to the tender, I'll see if it recharges. Think I'm going to pull fuse 44 until I'm driving the truck and only let it have power while the engine's running.

 

[bigdodge]

My 2019 only has 18K miles, but after a few slow starts two days ago, it was time to change the original stock battery yesterday. Haven't had any electrical issues with this truck, but noticed a bunch of fluid in the battery tray when I pulled the old one. Also noticed while cleaning it up, the 12" infotainment screen was flashing on and off almost like a turn signal. Installed the EverStart AGM battery, total power down time about 20 minutes. Truck fired right up, sounds normal, no center screen. Tried the various reset procedures except disconnecting the battery again. Downloaded the 40.1 update on a USB stick, no change. Fuse 44 under wheel is fine. So I just left everything off overnight and the truck connected to a Battery Tender Jr. like I have always had it.

Today, walk out there, start the truck on the brand new battery, it nearly doesn't start, slow as hell! But it started, cluster shows 14.3V. No radio. Something also sounds off, I open the hood and I have this sound coming from the alternator like you would hear in an aftermarket radio with a bad ground... not quite a whine, not quite a buzz. But I put my hand on the casing and nearly burned myself, shut the truck right off. The alternator casing is burning hot to the touch after only a minute of running, so it's not engine heat. I'm afraid of that alternator catching fire, should I have it towed? Put the old battery back in? Damn, I never had anything like this changing two batteries at a time on my older Cummins trucks!

I think the radio may have something to do with it, the UAX controller or whatever, I pulled the dash yesterday to look at connections and I noticed the controller was slightly warm, and this was with the truck powered off for hours. Think it's trying to update?

sounds like the alternator went out or is going out.
yes have it towed to your favorite mechanic.

 

[mhenry1762]

Mostly back to normal after I simply put the original battery back! Screen came right up, alternator quiet, drove through RPM range, steady 14.4V. Trickle charger is now holding. Just waiting on the BCM to figure out that it has a backup camera and dual climate control again. Going for a Deka battery next, and definitely keeping the truck live on the jump pack while changing it! My truck is apparently too stingy for Walmart batteries.