What did you do to your GT350 today?

[BadHabit2Break]

@BadHabit2Break Couple weird things about your post...12.8 volts is the only indication that got you suspicious? No lights or any other indications? After/during a long road trip like that, I'd think the system would have plenty of time to charge and 12.8 may not be low/bad. Just thinking out loud on that one.

Also, he said "probably" dying? As in they didn't actually test it?

Let it sit for a while and see if it's back in the 13+ range. May be a false alarm.

No lights or anything. I was watching the gauges, and it started at 13.9v and slowly fell to the 12.8v as I kept going.

SA was making a suggestion only, as it has not been looked at by the mechanic.

Car was actually sitting all night before the drive from Mobile, AL to Tallahassee, FL. The voltage just kept falling as I drove it farther.

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[GT Pony]

No lights or anything. I was watching the gauges, and it started at 13.9v and slowly fell to the 12.8v as I kept going.

SA was making a suggestion only, as it has not been looked at by the mechanic.

Car was actually sitting all night before the drive from Mobile, AL to Tallahassee, FL. The voltage just kept falling as I drove it farther.

The charging system is a "smart system", much like a Battery Tender that will chop back charging voltage as the battery becomes fully charged, which could happen on a long drive.

Also, the charging voltage on the dash typically reads ~0.5 volts less than the voltage directly across the battery terminals.

 

[460Fred]

Drove my GT350 from Houston to Jacksonville, FL. Got and hour outside of Tallahassee, FL and voltage literally had fallen to 12.8v. Found a Ford Dealer in Tallahasee and pulled in. SA said that yeah, the alternator probably is dyeing. It will be a couple of weeks before they can look at it. He suggested making the trip to Jacksonville, FL (3 hours away) and go to a dealer there as they might be able to get it faster. I said no, as my luck, I would end up on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere and waiting four hours for a tow truck. No thanks, just keep it here and fix it.

Car has 3400 miles on it.

This won’t help you but....DAMN!
Dealerships in my area haven’t fallen into this mindset....yet. They put travelers from out of town on the priority list. I work in the service industry with the dealerships. I bust my ass to get people back on the road who are traveling. I’ve done emergency work on Thanksgiving AND Christmas just to help people get back on the road.
I cannot fathom blowing off a traveler for TWO WEEKS!!!

 

[BadHabit2Break]

The charging system is a "smart system", much like a Battery Tender that will chop back charging voltage as the battery becomes fully charged, which could happen on a long drive.

Also, the charging voltage on the dash typically reads ~0.5 volts less than the voltage directly across the battery terminals.

I had a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee that did the same thing. Alternator was replaced and the issue was resolved

I have never seen a charging system sit at 12.3v in traffic and stop lights.

I just didn't want to end up on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere

 

[GT Pony]

I had a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee that did the same thing. Alternator was replaced and the issue was resolved

I have never seen a charging system sit at 12.3v in traffic and stop lights.

I just didn't want to end up on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere

Thought you said 12.8 was the low reading. But yeah, can't hurt to have it checked out, but if the Tech thinks this charging system works like some old fashsioned system I wouldn't have much trust in their diagnosis.

 

[BadHabit2Break]

Thought you said 12.8 was the low reading. But yeah, can't hurt to have it checked out, but if the Tech thinks this charging system works like some old fashsioned system I wouldn't have much trust in their diagnosis.

Best case scenario is $130 and they can't duplicate the issue.

Worst case, they replace the alternator and maybe the battery.

 

[whitestang5]

Did a fluid swap on the rear axle and trans today, couple of notes
-That clip on the rear cooler hose, could use a new one every time my preference
-Rear was spot on at 1.9 mils with a bottle of friction modifier
-Drained about 60oz out of the rear
-Trans took 2.5 quarts cycle cooler and all and that’s exactly what I got out

 

[tj@steeda]

Hi Guys & Gals,

Our latest video on the Steeda GT350 has dropped - GT350 Mustang: X-Pipe or H-Pipe? YOU Decide!

 

[SL8888]

Did a fluid swap on the rear axle and trans today, couple of notes
-That clip on the rear cooler hose, could use a new one every time my preference
-Rear was spot on at 1.9 mils with a bottle of friction modifier
-Drained about 60oz out of the rear
-Trans took 2.5 quarts cycle cooler and all and that’s exactly what I got out

Nice work.
Any reason in particular to address these fluids

 

[BadHabit2Break]

Update:. Dealership called this morning. Alternator is going out and needs to be replaced. Issue now is that they say the part is on back order except one in Texas. They are going to get it and install it. Shipping will take 4 days.

Alternator $800
Shipping $65 expedited
Labor $350
Diag fee $150

 

[JR369]

Update:. Dealership called this morning. Alternator is going out and needs to be replaced. Issue now is that they say the part is on back order except one in Texas. They are going to get it and install it. Shipping will take 4 days.

Alternator $800
Shipping $65 expedited
Labor $350
Diag fee $150

The Diag fee should be waived. The reason for it, I was told, is that people bring a vehicle in to get diagnosed then take it to their low dollar shade tree mechanic or fix the issue themselves with autozone parts. My dealership has always waived it if I elected to have them fix the problem.

 

[Kramerica]

Update:. Dealership called this morning. Alternator is going out and needs to be replaced. Issue now is that they say the part is on back order except one in Texas. They are going to get it and install it. Shipping will take 4 days.

Alternator $800
Shipping $65 expedited
Labor $350
Diag fee $150

Alternator replacement is covered under Basic, Extra and Premium Ford ESP's if you happen to have one and fall into any of those categories.

 

[honeybadger]

Update:. Dealership called this morning. Alternator is going out and needs to be replaced. Issue now is that they say the part is on back order except one in Texas. They are going to get it and install it. Shipping will take 4 days.

Alternator $800
Shipping $65 expedited
Labor $350
Diag fee $150

You're getting wrecked on the alternator price. For that cost, I'd install myself unless it's being done under warranty:

https://parts.autonationfordwhitebearlake.com/oem-parts/ford-alternator-gr3z10346l?c=Zz1lbGVjdHJpY2FsJnM9YWx0ZXJuYXRvciZsPTMmbj1Bc3NlbWJsaWVzIFBhZ2UmYT1mb3JkJm89bXVzdGFuZyZ5PTIwMTcmdD1zaGVsYnktZ3QzNTAmZT01LTJsLXY4LWdhcw==

 

[NoXiDe]

You're getting wrecked on the alternator price. For that cost, I'd install myself unless it's being done under warranty: ....

He could always buy the alternator and bring it to them. Wouldn't be any different than buying his own oil and having them do the job. Just a longer downtime. May be worth considering....

 

[BadHabit2Break]

No tools to do the repair.
No extended warranty as I did not qualify for the ESP per Ford's site.

If I was home, I could do everything myself....joys of road trip traveling.

I will ask if they can wave the diag fee as they are doing the repair.

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