Battery light flicker
#1
#3
Yeah a flakey alternator probably or lord help you a loose connection somewhere. Alternators will start to get intermittant when the brushes or regulator are on their way out. A low voltage output will cause the light to flicker. An output that is jumping around will also cause the light to flicker.
What do you mean the alternator looks full?? Did you measure voltage at the battery? Was it something like 14volts to maybe 18? What is full?
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
What do you mean the alternator looks full?? Did you measure voltage at the battery? Was it something like 14volts to maybe 18? What is full?
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
#4
#5
I have never had an American made alternator go out on me so I never had to rebuild one except in class. Could be luck, or we know how to build them bullet proof. Had plenty of practice rebuilding Japanese alternators, jeez blow out on schedule it seems.
I DO NOT KNOW if modern alternators have brushes. So it will be up to you to findout or for someone who does know to step in.
If it is brushes, it should be a simple job to replace them, and I would replace the bearings and touch up the commutator while I was at it. For a quick and dirty commutator cleanup, just wrap a piece of say 400 or finer sand paper around it and twist till it is clean.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
I DO NOT KNOW if modern alternators have brushes. So it will be up to you to findout or for someone who does know to step in.
If it is brushes, it should be a simple job to replace them, and I would replace the bearings and touch up the commutator while I was at it. For a quick and dirty commutator cleanup, just wrap a piece of say 400 or finer sand paper around it and twist till it is clean.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
#6
I more suspect that a diode in the alternator has been toasted. Alternators have full wave bridge rectifiers, which are basically 4 diodes that convert AC to DC. It is common to have one burn out, especially if you have recently had battery problems. The alternator will still work with three diodes, just not at full capacity, plus you might get some "hum" type interference in your radio. It will change pitch with engine speed.
I can't say if the alternators are servicable. these days people just yank them and get a rebuilt. It isn't like my old '56 F-100, where you actually serviced the generator.
I can't say if the alternators are servicable. these days people just yank them and get a rebuilt. It isn't like my old '56 F-100, where you actually serviced the generator.
#7
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#8
Originally Posted by 2danglong
came on a month ago, had batts tested replaced a bad one, now it flickers again, not very often, just enough to make you think.
checked the alternator and it looked full...
any ideas ?
checked the alternator and it looked full...
any ideas ?
Your alternator may be giving you a problem also.
#10
#12
Originally Posted by 99 SD Snowbuster
I have noticed my batt. light is on the whole time my truck is cranking, Is this normal? I dont want to sound like a dope but .... I never noticed this before??
#13