2000 Excursion in sig. First, the battery indicator lite has been coming on intermittently the last few days. Hook up Scangage II this AM and its showing as low as 11.2 volts. New batts and clean connections.

Truck ran fine until a block from work this AM - then, NO GUTS - and all of a sudden too! It cranks right up, but idles a little rough. Step on accelerator, and its just guttless, like maybe 1/2 power. At first I thought it was some kind of 'limp mode'.

I did just top off tank w/ homemade B100 last nite. I bought this truck w/almost 180k and have been running B100 for almost 5k now - same fuel filter. At lunch, I stuck a new fuel filter in and it got a little better. There was alot of trash in the filter bowl and filter was visibly filthy.

I could easily have bad fuel - but I want to verify low voltage won't cause similar low power problems. I may just swap alternator off my other PSD for the trip. Btw, the VO system has not been turned on yet. That WAS gonna go down tonite!

Did I mention I'm driving home tomorow? Its about 3000 miles...

 

Battery light and 11.2v means it's time for a new alternator. I've never had any power loss associated with this issue, but have needed new batteries shortly after replacing the alternator. If your voltage drops below 10.5 it can cause the PCM to not fire the injectors, so don't let it drop any lower.

Bad fuel is a possibility for some of the symptoms also. How does your fuel filter look?

 

Its running fine now!?

The old fuel filter was hideous. I'm not sure how ugly it was when I got the truck, but several tanks of B100 likely cleaned out the tank, etc. It was still acting fuel starved? right after filter change, but maybe that was just air?

I had Shucks put their batt/charging system thingy on it and it just says charging problem. Guess its time for a new alternator...

I have had a no-start before in my other PSD due to low batts, so I learned about the 10.5v minimum then. I just wasn't sure about between there and 'normal' voltage.

Thanks for the reply! Hopefully it was just the filter. If Danin (DiPricol) would ever send me the correct wire harness, I'd have a fuel pressure gauge and KNOW if that is/was indeed the issue earlier today!

 

A good alternator should push (I think) 14.1 volts or so. I asked about the fuel filter because we have seen a few folks with fueling issues here recently that were due to the screens in the mixing chamber inside the fuel tank getting clogged up.

 

14.1 is what I see in my F350 and what I used to see in the Ex. Calling around locally to see if I can get an alternator this AM.

There was ALOT of rust-looking debris in the filter and bowl. I'll have fuel press gauge hooked up today (stealing parts from other truck - dammit) so I'll know better if theres a restriction. Not a huge deal, I only burn diesel for a few minutes each day...

 

Problem solved!
Easiest alternator I've ever changed. Literally in about 5 min's.

I got a NEW alt w/lifetime replacement AND 3yr roadside assistance (jump or tow)!!! from NAPA for just under $200.

Never heard of roadside assistance for a PART before! Likely I'd never use it, but its kinda crazy they offer it.

 

It is nice with the alternator on top isn't it. I've never heard of roadside assistance on a part before either. It may turn out to be good for a jumpstart though. I'd make sure you throw the receipt in the glove box. Napa has both corporate stores and privately owned ones. The private ones can't access any computer records from the corporate ones and vice versa. If you have the receipt handy then the warranty exchange is no problem.

 

OK, got the fuel press gauge in now. Having trouble keeping fuel pressure up. I changed the filter again and it LOOKED clean this time.

Maybe the tank screen? Is there a screen before the pump?

Runs GREAT on VO, btw... 843 miles and the diesel gauge has not even moved!

 

Just pay attention to the veggie. It's a little thicker that #2 so it can kill a weak pump easier, especially when cold.

Yes there are some small screens in the mixing chamber, which is basically the plastic fuel pick up tube inside the tank. That's why I asked earlier about how dirty the filter looked. If you drop the tank and take things apart you'll find the screens.

 

Thats the beauty of redundant fuel sysytems. I've got a rock solid 80 psi on VO.

The problem is not at all related to VO system. Looks like its tie to do the in-tank mods to stock tank! Based on the size and amount of chunks in the filter bowl, I'm sure those screens are loaded.

Thank you! Reps sent, pics are worth a thousand words!