rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Joined: 12/06/2003
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I'm going to be replacing the altenator on my Tracker for the second time since I started towing it.
Can leaving the key in the acc position be causing this? I am driving long hours towing.
We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
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debandi
at home
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Joined: 08/15/2003
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If you are following the procedure in the owners manual the alternator shouldn't be involved.
John and Debra Spear
1999 Holiday Rambler Imperial 40PBS
2006 Saturn VUE toad Ready Brake 
 A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA USA
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If you are using diodes in the factory wiring, yes, back feed can cause problems.
You don't say what year of Suzuki, I mean Tracker you have.
Post what type of lighting system your coach has and what type of lighting on the Tracker. Amber on coach and Tracker for turn signals?
Amber on coach and red turn signal on Toad?
Red on coach and on Toad?
Bud
Suzuki XL7 pushing Pace Arrow
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robatthelake
Vancouver Island
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Not sure what Towing would have to do with the Alternator Failure.
We also have a Tracker (1992) that had a failed Alternator. Had to replace it along with the Battery, which then lead to a Fuel Pump Failure ,which lead to the ECM being at fault! Now Those are pricey little Boxes and turns out are a "BIG" problem in Trackers!
Rob & Jean
Dutch Star Diesel Pusher ..Tracker 4X2
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brobox
Sunny SW. Florida
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Having the key on will have nothing to do with the alternator as it is not being used. If you installed a rebuilt alternator the first time, they do not last as long as a new one. I have had rebuilt alternators, on non towed vehicles, go out in less that 10,000 miles. How many miles on your tracker? How many miles on the second alternator?
What is the braking system problem that you mentioned in the heading?
* This post was
edited 06/07/09 12:59pm by brobox *
Chuck
02 Travel Supreme, 2 street side slides
09 Toyota Tacoma 2WD
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miket
Southwick, Ma
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Don't see how alternator is can be linked to towing --- it charges the battery -- more likely a bad battery or defective alternator.
Workhorse Ambassador
Mike T
2005 Winnebago Voyage 33V, Workhorse W20, with '06 CR-V in tow, SMI 4 wire Braking system, Blue Ox Underskirt, Pressure Pro.
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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enblethen wrote:If you are using diodes in the factory wiring, yes, back feed can cause problems.Post what type of lighting system your coach has and what type of lighting on the Tracker. Amber on coach and Tracker for turn signals?
Amber on coach and red turn signal on Toad?
Red on coach and on Toad?
I had Camping World install the whole towing system and I believe the toad lights are diodes. It's red on red. How do you stop the backfeed?
Quote:You don't say what year of Suzuki, I mean Tracker you have. Yea real funny. I bought the darn thing last minute paid to have it delivered to CW, had the oil changed, tow system installed and hooked it up and hit the road. Yup when I had the CG on-site repair guy come out to change the alt is when I realized it certainly didn't have a Chevy motor in it. Which by the way the alt cost 2 times more because it was NOT a Chevy. It's a 98 which is when I believe they changed everything mid year.Blue Ox even had a hard time trying to find a base plate for it.
98 Tracker, put in rebuilt altenator, lasted 800 miles.
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA USA
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Here is website for Roadmaster. A common mistake is they firget to install the fourth diode and the jumper for the tailight circuit. Verify that you have a four wire connector. The normal location for diodes is in the void behind the tailight assembly.
http://www.roadmasterinc.com/pdf/newcombtowtocombmotor.pdf
The lamp outage system when the key is turned one knotch too far backfeeds into the diode of the alternator. When you put your key in, check the steering wheel to see if unlocks. It should only take key in or one knotch to dissengage the steering wheel lock. The diode are used to block the MH power from going into computer system on the toad.
I am on my third Suzuki with out any electrical problems. I haven't had to replace any items my self. The first Suzuki had a fuel pump issue. Took it to a dealer and was out in less then an hour. Pump was made by Delphi.
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Krusty
Calgary, Alberta,Canada
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If you are driving long hours with the key in ACC position, you may be running the battery down far enough that the alternator is always working hard to recharge the battery. Problem could be due to wear and excess heat. Also many rebuilts use cheaper parts which will fail faster.
Krusty
92 F-250 4x4 460 5spd 4.10LS Prodigy
97 Rustler RT190
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