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1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Bumpsides Ford Truck

Running Issues, Electrical?

Old Nov 13, 2010 | 09:49 PM
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Running Issues, Electrical?

Well my truck has begun acting up again. I've had an issue with the battery draining, I've had to take the battery to the auto parts store to have it charged a couple times now. I've begun unhooking the battery when I park it, but even with that the battery gets sucked dry over time (it has a new alternator already). The reason I mention this is in case it may be related to what developed today.

Today used the truck for hauling gear for tailgating as we've been doing for sometime now. Well bringing the stuff back from the tailgate developed issues with lighting and throttle. The interior lights were so dim you couldn't even read the gauges even with the lights turned all the way up. The turn signals were not working either. Any time more than a feather of throttle was applied the engine would hesitate and run rough, acting like it was going to die. Not sure what this is or where to even start.

Thanks for any help!
 
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Old Nov 14, 2010 | 10:17 AM
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Try having the alternator tested. If that doesn't work check out your voltage regulator.
 
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Old Nov 14, 2010 | 10:38 AM
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Your battery shouldn't drain if its unhooked unless its setting for a very long time.I would replace voltage regulator.
 
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Old Nov 14, 2010 | 06:09 PM
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Thanks for the ideas, I will post up what I end up finding out.
 
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Old Nov 14, 2010 | 06:30 PM
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Put a volt meter on the battery before starting check volts then start recheck volts while is running should be 13.2 to 13.8 This the range it should be depends how much charge is in your battery..
orich
 
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Old Nov 14, 2010 | 06:42 PM
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Originally Posted by orich
Put a volt meter on the battery before starting check volts then start recheck volts while is running should be 13.2 to 13.8 This the range it should be depends how much charge is in your battery..
orich
If I'm not meeting that many volts does that point to the alternator or the voltage regulator?
 
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Old Nov 14, 2010 | 06:46 PM
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if its a new alt i'd go with the voltage reg there cheap to buy and they do break its probably original!!
 
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Old Nov 14, 2010 | 07:23 PM
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I posted this on a thread just above hope it helps

I have a RV with 2 optima battery's that would drain in 24 hr with nothing on, after months of troubleshooting I discovered that the solenoid had developed a green film on the inside of the case {much like you see on copper pipes} this film went from the brass fitting over the isolator to the case wall and was allowing voltage drain. changed the solenoid and have not had a problem since, that was 2 years ago
 
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Old Nov 14, 2010 | 08:51 PM
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Yeah same thing would happen with a nasty corroded batteries when put on cement floor,Many people put them on a wooden block to stop it. Once battery is cleaned no leaching of voltage..Not grounded after cleaned..
orich
 
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Old Nov 24, 2010 | 08:00 PM
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And your poor running engine was due to a weakening spark caused by the low system voltage.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2010 | 09:40 PM
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low lights

Changed the volt regulator and that should solve your problem
 
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Old Nov 25, 2010 | 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by dklistul
And your poor running engine was due to a weakening spark caused by the low system voltage.
I was hoping that was the case

Originally Posted by seafire
Changed the volt regulator and that should solve your problem
I swapped it out a couple days ago and took it out driving right after the swap. It was during the day so I didn't run the lights as well, but it was back to running great. Thank you!
 
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Old Nov 27, 2010 | 11:03 AM
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Originally Posted by orich
Yeah same thing would happen with a nasty corroded batteries when put on cement floor,Many people put them on a wooden block to stop it. Once battery is cleaned no leaching of voltage..Not grounded after cleaned..
orich
Cement floors have no ill effect on todays batteries.
 
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Old Nov 27, 2010 | 03:36 PM
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Originally Posted by popeye dad
Cement floors have no ill effect on today's batteries.
Maybe you missed the word if corroded. Any battery will drain that has corrosion on it. Even a Gel battery if it had corrosion on it.. But they should not produce any having gel plus being sealed. The Low or what is called the so called Maintenance free still produce a very low corrosive fumes that make corrosion around some of the terminal made by the Chinese.. Even a wet battery can discharge. A clean dry battery shouldn't have any leakage. ..
orich
 
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