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mpkeith
New User
Jun 19, 2012, 4:18 PM
Post #1 of 4
(1783 views)
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Charging System Issue
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VEHICLE: 1994.5 Ford F-250, 2WD, E4OD Auto, 5.0 V8
I'm having a charging system issue due to "something" and want to check all bases before buying a new alternator. It's been suggested that it is the alternator, but a few things tell me (and I may be wrong) that it could be something else... either by itself or as well as the alternator (battery, wiring, computer, starter, etc).
The issue I'm having right now is that my battery light is faintly on and my battery guage is low. On voltage test, I'm getting about 12.3 - 12.6 (low, I know. Bear with me here). Also, occasionally it won't turn over at all... I just get a loud click from my starter solonoid. When this happens, I'm still well above 12v. I believe this can happen sometimes when the voltage is low, but could this be a starter issue as well as alternator and/or other contributing issue? I would say no myself as it only started doing this when the battery/alt issue started a few days ago, but I'm not a mechanic by any means.
If I drive around for a while, I still have well above 12v when I get back, which is telling me that it MAY be the alternator, but it may also be the battery, the regulator, etc. If it was a bad alternator, wouldn't I eventually drop below 12v? It's not where it should be, but it's staying in the same range.
Here's a list of other recent work that may or may not have a relation to my current problem. I think I'm including most things that could potentially be related, but I've had so many problems with this thing since I got it I'm sure I may miss something.
1. I've been having a transmission issue for the past 6-8 months. The issue started all of a sudden when I took off from a light... I hit rev limit trying to come out of 1st, and now I need to let completely off the gas to get into 2nd sometimes and almost always to get into 3rd. This has gone on and off by doing such things as disconnecting and reconnecting the battery, resetting the cpu, disconnecting the airbag control module, flushing the trans, but has never fixed the problem more than a few days at a time. This has never been resolved and may or may not have anything at all to do with the issue of this discussion.
2. I went through a period where the truck would start "sometimes", but if it did, it would run very rough and wouldn't drive more than a few mph's. After replacing fuel filter and pump, the truck ran for a few days, but then would do the same thing. Upon running a code test, I would keep getting 16 codes back. Cleared them all, ran for a couple days, then back to square one. It was recently discovered that the computer was filled with water due to a windshield leak, so it was replaced and this issue has been resolved ever since. Again, may or may not be related.
3. Alternator pulley wheel completely busted apart. This was noticed by accident. The plastic wheel was completely gone and the belt was running directly on the metal wheel that the plastic wheel wrapped around. 3" to 4" difference! This was replaced about a month ago.
I think that's all that could potentially be related. Do you see anything that may be a culprit? I'm trickle charging my battery now so I can go have alt and battery testing done as we speak, so I'll include those diagnostics here when I get back.
Thanks ahead of time for any ideas!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 19, 2012, 4:27 PM
Post #2 of 4
(1772 views)
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Re: Charging System Issue
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12.6 volts just isn't going to cut it. Make sure you have power at the main terminal of the alternator with the key OFF and if so, the alternator is likely bad.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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mpkeith
New User
Jun 19, 2012, 5:31 PM
Post #3 of 4
(1751 views)
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Re: Charging System Issue
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Battery tested good, alternator only putting out about 12.4
I'll swap it out tomorrow and post success or failure :D
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mpkeith
New User
Jun 20, 2012, 2:29 PM
Post #4 of 4
(1710 views)
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Re: Charging System Issue
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Did the alternator swap today and all seems to be going well. Running at around 13.5 now and no battery light. No starting issues as of yet either. Hopefully that's all there was to it :D
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