Think alternator died or other issues

[gumbydamnt]

I was driving my 2001 MS back from a kids birthday party and had been going for about 20 minutes at about 70 mph. Suddenly, there was a brief jerking feeling (wife thought someone bumped us from behind) and a CHIRP sound like the brakes locked up for a brief second. The brake light and battery light were now on and the AC stopped working. I thought at first that the chirping noise was the belt for the alternator and AC breaking.(if they are even on same belt haven't memorized that yet)

 I then notice that the RPMs are high and it seems like it is in third gear and that the neutral position indicator light was flashing. I was fairly close to home at this point so I kept going. After the one stop before my house the transmission seemed like it was only in third gear when starting off. When I got home I shut off the engine and checked under the hood and the belts looked fine so I started the engine again and it would not idle but would start and shut off unless I gave it gas. Previously it had no issues idling. Also it clunks badly when shifting from park to reverse. I connected my OBD2 scanner and it would not connect.

After a few searches on here I checked for a blown fuse under the hood and discovered the 100a main fuse was blown.

So, I am not sure if all these issues are related or if they are two separate problems. 

From what I can tell the flashing neutral light means an overheat or electrical issue in the transmission but there is an AT TEMP light so I would think that would come on if the transmission was over heated. The flashing neutral was not very obvious so it could have been going on for a while.

Scenario 1
While I was possibly oblivious to the existing flashing neutral light the alternator could have died or otherwise malfunctioned causing the 100a fuse to blow and the other trouble lights to illuminate and making me notice the flashing neutral. Meaning that I have two separate issues.


Scenario 2
Everything was going fine until the alternator malfunctioned blowing the fuse killing power to the ECM causing the trouble lights to come on and causing the transmission to drop into 3rd gear suddenly due to lack of ECU input causing the chirp. 

Scenario 3
Everything was good until something failed in the transmission causing it to drop to third gear which caused the chirp noise from the belts and made the alternator give too much current frying the 100a breaker.


If you have any ideas as to what could be the issue and the best way to move forward I would appreciate it!


Right now I just plan to put a fuse in, start her up and see what happens.

There is some leakage on the front of the engine but I did not notice or look too hard for any going into the alternator. Will check that in daylight.

It has issues with the transmission slipping and I had the new OEM transmission from ebay in the cargo area. I discovered that the only leak appeared to be from the transmission oil pan so I was going to drop the pan reseal it and then replace all the fluid with Mitsubishi spec fluid and see if I could buy some time before I swapped the transmission.

If you made it this far thanks! and again, any input is welcome! I do plan to keep searching here and other resources but sometimes searches are great and others not so much.

Thanks!

[bdmontero]

I have an alternator if you need one. OEM not aftermarket.

Sent from my SM-N900V using proboards

[gumbydamnt]

Turns out the main alternator wire had shorted against the engine. I would guess this fried the alternator so I am going to take it for testing. I will probably just pick up the cheapest alternator with an easy replacement option for now until I can replace the camshaft seal.

Edit. Alternator was fine. A little electric tape and flipping the terminal 180 to keep it away from the exhaust and she is running fine minus the idle is a little rough but I plan to clean the part that is recommended when I do the plugs later this week.

There was a tin "oil shield" on top of the alternator as well. It seems to be working, I put dye in the oil to find all the leaks and nothing glowed internally on the alternator when I shined the IR light on the alternator in a dark room.

I was kinda worried that a week after paying 2k and ordering a new XMSN something serious had happened! Glad it was just a wire!

[dclambertt]

Is that tin oil shield an aftermarket design? I don't think I have one on my '01 ltd.

[gumbydamnt]

Apr 18, 2014 11:00:31 GMT -5 dclambertt said:

Is that tin oil shield an aftermarket design? I don't think I have one on my '01 ltd.

Sorry for delay getting back to ya. Found out short notice a house came available so have been packing like crazy.

It is a piece of aluminum or tin about 4 inches square that stuffs between the engine and alternator and seems to keep the oil from getting into the alternator but it still drips from the bottom. it takes shape well almost like a piece of heat shield.

[dclambertt]

Ya I thought it was a custom piece, but they should have included one in the design they way these alternators get oil on them.

[gumbydamnt]

I actually talked to the previous owner today. I found some mail, photos and a couple CDs under the console belonging to him when I removed it so i texted a number listed on an old repair order. So, I was able to return his stuff and find out that he has gone thru about 8 alternators and he put the piece of tin on it. not sure how well the Picture will show up That is the backside of the alternator looking up from the bottom. with a blacklight making the oil glow you can see the oil on the tin glowing and on the bottom. I need to replace the camshaft seals ASAP!