2019 Ram - Replacing eTorque Alternator/Generator

[Slatts]

Thought I'd share my recent troubles, if only to vent.

I have 42,000 miles on my Longhorn with eTorque. A couple weeks ago, I started getting the voltage trouble light with readings as low as 11.2V while driving. Hoping that it was just the battery and not a more expensive problem, I went ahead and put a new one in it. That apparently fixed the problem and I was back up to 14+V.

I took off on a trip to the Texas coast last Friday, a drive of about 2.5 hours, and started to get voltage trouble again. I located a dealership about 30 miles away, back the way I'd come, and almost made it. Lost power about 5 miles out. Long story short, I received a call from the service dept yesterday and they said it needs a new alternator (or is it a generator?). With labor, that is going to set me back about $1700 since I've exceeded the 35K warranty.

If that's not enough of a kick in the ****, the ETA on the new alternator is August 3 - about 2 weeks. Luckily, they provided me a loaner vehicle, a Jeep Renegade, to allow me to get around but I'm hamstrung without a truck to haul feed, etc...

I asked about an aftermarket alt/gen for a lower price, and was told that there's not any reliable ones at this time. I'm sure that's to be expected from a dealership, but am curious if anyone here knows that to be true or not. I've not been able to locate one on the internet.

Thanks.

 

[Daw14]

You might try calling some other ram dealers parts departments, you can probably find it somewhere else,dealers won‘t share usually . Good luck

 

[LSU04_08]

Thought I'd share my recent troubles, if only to vent.

I have 42,000 miles on my Longhorn with eTorque. A couple weeks ago, I started getting the voltage trouble light with readings as low as 11.2V while driving. Hoping that it was just the battery and not a more expensive problem, I went ahead and put a new one in it. That apparently fixed the problem and I was back up to 14+V.

I took off on a trip to the Texas coast last Friday, a drive of about 2.5 hours, and started to get voltage trouble again. I located a dealership about 30 miles away, back the way I'd come, and almost made it. Lost power about 5 miles out. Long story short, I received a call from the service dept yesterday and they said it needs a new alternator (or is it a generator?). With labor, that is going to set me back about $1700 since I've exceeded the 35K warranty.

If that's not enough of a kick in the ****, the ETA on the new alternator is August 3 - about 2 weeks. Luckily, they provided me a loaner vehicle, a Jeep Renegade, to allow me to get around but I'm hamstrung without a truck to haul feed, etc...

I asked about an aftermarket alt/gen for a lower price, and was told that there's not any reliable ones at this time. I'm sure that's to be expected from a dealership, but am curious if anyone here knows that to be true or not. I've not been able to locate one on the internet.

Thanks.

I can't give you any advice on an aftermarket alternator, but I've noticed the most problems stem from the first year of the 5th gen Rams. I don't know what you owe on your truck, but 2019 Ram Longhorns with 47K miles are going for $56,000 (which means you could probably get at least $48K to $50K+ for your truck). You might want to trade up to a new model while trade-ins on your year model are at the premium. One of the reasons I wanted to wait a few years was so Ram could get all of their bugs worked out, and the financier gave me a huge discount on the 75,000 mile warranty.

I know this doesn't help your situation or offer advice on what you asked for and I apologize for that, but I don't have any other answer. Hopefully everything works out for you.

 

[mikeru]

That should be covered for 8 years or 80k miles according to the "All-New Ram 1500 Warranty Information" booklet...

 

[heefageLA]

A little off topic, but isnt the only purpose of the E-Torque is to start the engine during the Start/Stop mess when you come to a red light or stop sign?

 

[Farmer Fran]

A little off topic, but isnt the only purpose of the E-Torque is to start the engine during the Start/Stop mess when you come to a red light or stop sign?

Ram eTorque's 48-volt system keeps the vehicle's battery charged, helps to quickly shut off and then restart the vehicle motor during the use of an Automatic Start/Stop system, and acts as a mild hybrid system for the powertrain.

And should be covered under the warranty as stated above

 

[Slatts]

That should be covered for 8 years or 80k miles according to the "All-New Ram 1500 Warranty Information" booklet...

View attachment 465266

Mike - you are THE MAN. Thank you! I called the service department and they couldn't find that the generator was a covered item in their system. I emailed them a copy of the 2019 warranty booklet to prove my case. I suspect they will see the light soon enough.

Thanks again!

 

[PoMansRam]

Unbelievable. I wonder how many people have paid for a new system because dealers "didn't know" about the 8yr/80k mile federal warranty.

 

[mikeru]

It surprises me that your service adviser didn't have that information. Hope it all works out for you and the new generator fixes your issues.

 

[crash68]

A little off topic, but isnt the only purpose of the E-Torque is to start the engine during the Start/Stop mess when you come to a red light or stop sign?

There's a bunch of things the eTorque system does besides start/stop the engine. It assist the motor, keeps the vehicle electrical system charged, etc.
Ram also list it as part of the emissions reduction, that's why there's a federal mandatory warranty on the system.

 

[TestPilot57]

Maybe replace it with a Whipple.

 

[turkeybird56]

Yeah, that part should be under warranty, IMHO. U may have to fight to get that interpreted in your favor. Would not be the 1st time a dealership tried to get around an issue, just saying, IMHO ...

 

[Slatts]

Maybe replace it with a Whipple.

Looks like an impressive upgrade. But at $7,000 it's way beyond my budget.

 

[mikeru]

Looks like an impressive upgrade. But at $7,000 it's way beyond my budget.

Not to mention the fact that your truck would no longer have any way to recharge the battery if the generator isn't there.

 

[TestPilot57]

Not to mention the fact that your truck would no longer have any way to recharge the battery if the generator isn't there.

Really? As I understand, the ET system uses a battery pack below/behind the back seat. I assumed it still used a conventional alternator and 12v battery for starting and accessories. Of course, I could be wrong. Be sure to shout it out if so, my wife would love to hear that.

 

[firedfly]

Really? As I understand, the ET system uses a battery pack below/behind the back seat. I assumed it still used a conventional alternator and 12v battery for starting and accessories. Of course, I could be wrong. Be sure to shout it out if so, my wife would love to hear that.

The etorque motor is used in place of an alternator.


From https://www.jdpower.com/cars/shopping-guides/what-is-etorque-in-a-jeep-or-ram-truck

In a powertrain fitted with eTorque, a belt-driven motor-generator unit replaces the conventional alternator on the engine. This motor-generator unit performs several functions in addition to the standard operation of the alternator, which is to provide electricity to keep the vehicle's battery charged.

 

[Truckit]

Really? As I understand, the ET system uses a battery pack below/behind the back seat. I assumed it still used a conventional alternator and 12v battery for starting and accessories. Of course, I could be wrong. Be sure to shout it out if so, my wife would love to hear that.

The ET system uses a 48 volt lithium battery behind the rear seat. It is charged by the ET generator which also charges a conventional 12 volt battery that uses a conventional starter to cold start. The auto stop/start feature uses the ET generator to start during stop start.

 

[SEEJAY]

any update on this I have 75,000 on my 19 ram and just paid 1600$ to replace my Motor Generating Unit yesterday. Started out grinding and then my truck broke down as i was pulling into the dealership.

 

[runamuck]

a good reason why I wouldnt opt for such things.

 

[S_Bedard]

Thought I'd share my recent troubles, if only to vent.

I have 42,000 miles on my Longhorn with eTorque. A couple weeks ago, I started getting the voltage trouble light with readings as low as 11.2V while driving. Hoping that it was just the battery and not a more expensive problem, I went ahead and put a new one in it. That apparently fixed the problem and I was back up to 14+V.

I took off on a trip to the Texas coast last Friday, a drive of about 2.5 hours, and started to get voltage trouble again. I located a dealership about 30 miles away, back the way I'd come, and almost made it. Lost power about 5 miles out. Long story short, I received a call from the service dept yesterday and they said it needs a new alternator (or is it a generator?). With labor, that is going to set me back about $1700 since I've exceeded the 35K warranty.

If that's not enough of a kick in the ****, the ETA on the new alternator is August 3 - about 2 weeks. Luckily, they provided me a loaner vehicle, a Jeep Renegade, to allow me to get around but I'm hamstrung without a truck to haul feed, etc...

I asked about an aftermarket alt/gen for a lower price, and was told that there's not any reliable ones at this time. I'm sure that's to be expected from a dealership, but am curious if anyone here knows that to be true or not. I've not been able to locate one on the internet.

Thanks.

https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/hybrid-ev-battery-warranty/

Isn’t the generator/alternator part of the hybrid system ? Could Stellantis USA help pay for the repair being below 60 000 miles or 5 years ?