tom281

P3040- to anyone that has had this code previously or gets this code in the near future: to save time here, if you're unfamilar with this code please research it in the Ford TSB listings.

I've been getting this code for a couple of days now, so I stopped by the dealer to price a new alternator. $250 after the core exchange. Didn't seem that bad, but since these factory alternators like to fail I decide to buy a PA Performance alternator. Price was $313 delivered for a 130 amp model, and this is blue powdercoated.

If anyone finds theirselves in a similar scenario, here's the link to PA:

http://paperformance.com/Scripts/default.asp

Once I receive the new unit, I'll take some pix and let you know how it does.

GIG4FUN

come on now.. the STOCK alt is 130 amps and is 82 amps at idle. i suggest you step up to the 200amp model and paint it blue!

karman

I agree, check out these prices.
http://dagostinoracing.com/index.php...8_1_1250_12118

tom281

I thought about it guys, but 130 amps is fine for my application. I'm still on the stock battery after almost 3 years, so charging capacity must be decent. Hey GIG4FUN do you have a PA in each car or just the one?

GIG4FUN

just mine! My wife only lets me do minor things to hers. She has the extended warranty and won't let me mess it up.

tom281

LOL I understand..... shoulda saw the look my my wife's face when I told her I had to buy a new alternator, and then explained why it wouldn't be covered under the factory warranty. I don't think she had thought about my warrenty being void for having a blower, exhaust, etc.

GIG4FUN

gotta love 'em. Nice simple rational thinking. What happened to all of us!

tom281

Well thanks to GIG4FUN, I folded under peer pressure and changed my order to the 200a unit. Should ship this week. Hopefully, no more codes.

dustindu4

I like the 200A, no problems after 15k miles or so

tom281

LOL if I remember right, you were the test mule for the 200a weren't you? Must be doing OK for you huh?

dustindu4

still going strong. I got the P0340 on 2 alternators, every 20k. I just rolled 60 and it still works so knock on wood

GIG4FUN

You're a good man Tom, ... and Dustin has been cutting the path for me since '05 haha!

habu

Hope it fixes the problem for you Tom. I had read that there was a TSB about these alternators and am really hoping it doesn't fail for me. I think 'cause I have the Shaker 1000 it's the 200a alternator... more $$$$ if it does die.

What's so special about these ? Shouldn't an alternator last quite some time ??

06GT4RAD

Sweet Chrome 200 Amp here I come.

tom281

hahahaa thanks man

Alternators should last for a good amount of time- assuming their not a factory Ford piece LOL.

Yeah man, they have some cool options. I'm having mine powder coated blue for the extra $40. I called PA on the phone today and they said it should still ship out this week.

tom281

UPDATE:

PA alternator arrived 4 days after ordering it, powder-coated and all!

Installed it last night (30 minutes, very easy bolt-in) and it's charging just fine.

BUT, I am still getting the 0340 code and this morning also got a 0344 code! So, back to the garage tonight. Stay tuned.

tom281

OK, guys I think I may have it figured out....

Before I installed the new alternator, I installed 4 gauge wire from the factory alt to the battery. I did this before I was getting any codes- I did this not because I was planning to replace the alternator but because I chose not to install the Saleen crimp-on extra length of wire when we installed the Saleen blower (Saleen owners know what I'm talking about)....

So today while trouble-shooting, I inspected all the wires and everything looked good. I cleared the codes, started the car, and got the codes again right away. I cleared them, shut the car off and just for kicks, reinstalled the factory charge wire. Mind you, this factory wire is shorter and takes a short-cut around the engine bay to reach the battery. Started the car, and got no codes. Started and idled it probably a dozen times and got no codes.

So as I'm standing there with beer in hand, asking myself why the hell the factory wire is not throwing codes, I began to trace how I ran my 4 gauge wire weeks ago- and noticed that (go ahead, start laughing now) I zip tied it to.... guess what.... what looks like the camshaft position sensor harness and wiring LOL!

I cut the zip tie, reran the 4 gauge in a different path, and now am not getting any codes. If this doesn't fix the codes, I'll let you know but I'm pretty sure this will fix it. hahahaaa

06GT4RAD

Doesn't PA offer a upgraded power cable?

tom281

Yes they do, but I had already replaced the factory cable weeks ago because I didn't like how it looked with the Saleen blower. All I did this time was to reuse the same wire that I installed before, however routed it differently this time.

GIG4FUN

I would have not said a thing Tom.... hehehe we got you bad enough on one forum already ! LOL

I'm sure glad you can put this to rest now.