Alternator smoking after jump start...

So I'm pretty sure I toasted my alternator but curious to hear what everyone thinks.

I stopped to help a stranded driver this morning, it was a diesel V8 F-250. He asked me to give him a jumpstart. He had dual batteries and we hooked up my truck to one of his batteries. Our trucks were probably hooked up for 10+ mins and several times I revved mine up and held it at 2-3k rpm to try to charge his... Not sure if that was the wisest thing.

After that, my battery warning light came on the dash and I started hearing what sounded like the bearings on the alternator or something went out. And then it started smoking. I shut it off and the alternator smoked for a good 30 minutes. A tow truck just picked it up and took it to a local shop. I'm waiting to hear but I assume it just needs a new alternator. I have the tow package with the high output alternator. I told the shop I want another OEM Denso put on.

Anybody ever had this happen before? The shop said it'll be in the $500 range to get this done. Called my local Toyota dealer and they said the 130amp alternator is $327.84.

 

Did you connect battery to battery?
And did you get the other truck started?

No, fortunately I have never had this issue.
I try not to ever jump battery to battery.
It’s always better to jump from an external (Off battery) ground location.)

Here is an example.
The credit for the picture goes to https://bestjumpstarterreview.com/how-to-properly-connect-the-jumper-cables/


BTW, I think you did a good thing asking for a OEM Alternator.
You will save yourself lots of trouble later.
And Thank You for actually helping some one.
It’s hard to find someone that’ll help these days.
Sorry it cost you an alternator. That’s sucks.
(Truthfully, I do get really nervous every time I jump start someone)

 

This ^^^^^^^^



I agree it was cool of you to help also.

 

Never seen this. But interested to see why it happened

 

Battery jump pack for the win.

 

It sounds like something in the circuit was shorting the alternator straight to ground. You might have them check the wiring between battery and alternator too - if the battery is fine and the alternator is toast, that suggests they weren't connected.

 

I going to say it had to do with the 10 mins. of “charging” the other guys battery.
OP’s Alternator was “taxed to the max”.

 

We were hooked up battery to battery. And yeah eventually he did get started. Thanks for the info! I need to start hooking up that way from now on.

I agree, after this I'm gonna be very nervous ever jump-starting someone again

 

Sounds like you already know what happened. Ask the dealership if that price is for a new or reman OEM 130A alternator. I thought new isn’t available anymore and if it’s reman you’re getting ripped off.

FWIW, I keep a battery jump pack in my truck at all times to avoid this stuff and also to help myself if needed of course

 

The key is is the order that you make the connections - 1, 2, 3 4 in the picture. And the idea is to get number 4 far away from the battery, just in case the battery blows up. It doesn't really affect the survival of your alternator, but it will keep acid out of your face.

 

Yeah I think I'll definitely be picking up a jump pack so I can help people out without the risk.

What kind of jump packs do you guys have? Are those new compact ones any good or should I stick with one of the larger ones? We have a 3 cylinder diesel Ford tractor at home that needs to be jumped pretty frequently in the winter

 

I understand that buddy.
My Grandfather passed away. He had a Tahoe that set for a little while.
My Grandmother (bless her heart) tried to jump it off. Unfortunately she hooked the cables up BACKWARDS. It cost her a lot to fix. I can’t remember what all need to be replaced.

If I jump someone, I usually insist they let me do the “hook up”.
Most people try help, and that isn’t bad thing, but you never know what the other person does or doesn’t know.

Hope you get it fixed soon. And for a cheap as possible. (Using quality parts of course)

 

$75 Schumacher DSR108 DSR ProSeries Batteryless Jump Starter - 12V, 450A for Gas and Diesel Engines

https://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-DSR108-450A-Batteryless-Starter/dp/B01NAD97MJ

I’ve got one like this.

The wife carry’s a smaller one that needs to be charged.

 

NOCO Boost GB40. 1000A unit and has started everything I’ve needed.

Edit: Two guys I know work for a repo company and they run this brand.

 

I’ve never had an issue jumping, but I don’t jump diesels and have no desire to.

 

Haha I wish we had talked yesterday!

 

Funny not really but the comments on the diesel.
Could the glow plugs have had something to do with it?
The capacitor pack I have has a function for glow plugs.

 

Do the math.
The diesel has 2, 1000A batteries
Taco 1, 800A battery.
Basically, the Taco was overloaded.

 

That's not the way it works.

 

Agreed. Ugh I rolled up the other day on two people. This guy was trying to jump his car off this other ladies car with really thin cables and it wasn’t working wasn’t working. I then bring out my heavier gauge wires and let them do the hookup since it was their cars. The dude starts going battery to battery and I told him he should ground to the block or unpainted metal on the dead car... he told me I had no idea what I was talking about....the car started battery to battery with my cables and he looked at me and said “see?”.

I explained the grounding to the block is better practice not that battery to battery wouldn’t work. Oh well...