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E torque alternator.

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Ben74

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I have a 2020 ram 5.7 bought new. My alternator has failed and no hope in sight. Only a dealer can install it apparently, and the dang part isn’t available on back order. Used ones if you can find them are not much cheaper than the new ones. I’ve owned three different ram trucks and this one will be the last. What’s a truck worth that will not run and can’t get repaired. It sure leaves a sour taste in your mouth paying on a vehicle that is useless. Anyone have any ideas where to get on. I’ve been on back order since November.
 
Mine has a bad bearing, drones and whines but still working. Dealership ordered a replacement last week.
They tell me it should arrive next week, we'll see.......
 
zlman said:
Mine has a bad bearing, drones and whines but still working. Dealership ordered a replacement last week.
They tell me it should arrive next week, we'll see.......
Click to expand...
It's now Jan19th, still no generator.
Hoping it doesn't completely fail.
 
zlman said:
It's now Jan19th, still no generator.
Hoping it doesn't completely fail.
Click to expand...
My truck's alternator has started sounding angry, so I took it in to the dealership Friday. Good news is that it's under the 8/80 warranty (because the eTorque system is part of the power train), but the bad news is (according to the service manager) there are over 4,200 back orders for that part.

It's going to be a while. If my truck fails before the part is in, I'll definitely ask the dealership for compensation (loaner, plus paying for the towing).
 
I believe that (it is possible that) in order not to cause problems for the alternator, the start & stop could always be deactivated. I believe
 
MotorcycleBoy said:
I believe that (it is possible that) in order not to cause problems for the alternator, the start & stop could always be deactivated. I believe
Click to expand...
Maybe, but that’s only one of the several functions it provides.. i.e., it still gets loaded and used for other every day driving and use.
 
Have to admit that I'm not concerned with the et or anything else on these trucks.. It's a production vehicle with hundreds of parts or assemblies. I have no control if it breaks or fails (short of abuse).

I bought an extended factory warranty and just drive it.

While forums are helpful, they can cause unnecessary stress.

Not like a 23 or 24' owner had any choice...
 
Willwork4truck said:
I bought an extended factory warranty and just drive it.
Click to expand...
Extended or not, if the alternator/generator goes south, you'll be in the same boat. Not sure it has any bearing (pun intended) on the parts reliability (or lack thereof in some cases).
 
MotorcycleBoy said:
I believe that (it is possible that) in order not to cause problems for the alternator, the start & stop could always be deactivated. I believe
Click to expand...
Even after it's used for the initial starting of the truck (at home, leaving work, wherever), the wear is still happening because it's tied via the belt to the spinning motor. If any thing the AS/S would help prolong the bearing's life.
 
8343kr, I ask this to understand: you are saying that by using the S&S normally the bearing lasts longer because it has some pauses in operation?

I repeat, just to understand (my english is not adeguate) ... I ask: "but doesn't a bearing become more stressed at the start of the rotation ?".

Just for comparison of ideas I also agree that a truck "must" be always ok and used without worries, but IF something happens it's nice to understand what is appened
 
834k3r said:
Extended or not, if the alternator/generator goes south, you'll be in the same boat. Not sure it has any bearing (pun intended) on the parts reliability (or lack thereof in some cases).
Click to expand...
I just don't worry about things that I have zero control over.
My previous Ferd ride has a well documented 3.5 water pump issue. Many engines fail due to the internally located pump dumping coolant into the oil, since it’s timing chain driven. Very dumb idea but it is what it is.
Just to say that this defect is way more of an issue than the entire problem of et components since its 2019 debut.
The water pump problem was a “when not if” thing. Our et problems are more of an “if not when” thing.
Not discounting anyones problems with it, just being realistic of the chances of having the problem.
 
834k3r said:
Even after it's used for the initial starting of the truck (at home, leaving work, wherever), the wear is still happening because it's tied via the belt to the spinning motor. If any thing the AS/S would help prolong the bearing's life.
Click to expand...
Just to be clear… the Generator unit has nothing to do with the initial starting of the truck. That’s 100% battery and the traditional 12V starter. The Generator has nothing to do with starting the motor until certain criteria is met.. some of them being engine temp, cabin temp, etc.

The Generator is only active for S/S once the criteria is met.
 
Willwork4truck said:
I just don't worry about things that I have zero control over.
...
Not discounting anyones problems with it, just being realistic of the chances of having the problem.
Click to expand...
I think you misunderstand me. I'm not worried about the alternator failing--it is what it is. But on the other hand, sharing information helps decision making.
 
dajogejr said:
Just to be clear… the Generator unit has nothing to do with the initial starting of the truck. That’s 100% battery and the traditional 12V starter. The Generator has nothing to do with starting the motor until certain criteria is met.. some of them being engine temp, cabin temp, etc.

The Generator is only active for S/S once the criteria is met.
Click to expand...
I thought the generator was the alternator as well--my mistake.
 
834k3r said:
My truck's alternator has started sounding angry, so I took it in to the dealership Friday. Good news is that it's under the 8/80 warranty (because the eTorque system is part of the power train), but the bad news is (according to the service manager) there are over 4,200 back orders for that part.

It's going to be a while. If my truck fails before the part is in, I'll definitely ask the dealership for compensation (loaner, plus paying for the towing).
Click to expand...
THIS is what Kuniskis needs to focus on! I like him, but this system (and its lack of factory support) is the biggest travesty Dodge or Ram have had in a lot of years. Ok, maybe the second biggest if you consider the Hornet... If he can't light a fire under those responsible to supply parts for the Rams that already exist, then his focus is misguided.
 
Just another data point for anyone else dealing with this - 2021 Laramie 1500 5.7 e-torque w/41,000. Bearing noise started a few hundred miles ago. Took it to the dealer today and they confirmed it's the MGU.

Service manager told me there are none available in the U.S. and approximately 5,000 on order. Right now he's hearing 1-2 months. About 75 are on a priority list as the vehicles are dead (main fuse blown which is a common failure mode). I am on the next tier with about 1,000 other owners. The rest on order are for spares at dealers/warehouses. The SM *thinks* the delay is because they are coming out with a new revision of the MGU. I sure hope so - 40,000 miles isn't much for a major component to fail. Just outside of the regular warranty, too. Thankfully I had a 5yr/60,000 extended.

I think those of us affected should also file a problem report with the NHTSA. Those reports do carry some weight in getting a formal recall issued. If you do file a report, stress the safety concern of a possibility of the vehicle losing all power while in operation and traffic and/or the MGU pulley shearing off basically causing a catastrophic engine failure. Here's a link: Report a Safety Problem | NHTSA

And here's a 2022 RAM TSB I found describing the MGU bearing noise problem and proper flashing technique. So RAM clearly knows about this problem. S2208000009 RAM Powertrain Technical Service Bulletin
 
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