I have a 2002 X 7.3 with 60k on the clock.

I recently had multiple things installed on my truck but a shop (flat panel radio, pyro, boost, and trans gauges, trailer brake, and HID headlights). All of which require power.

BTW - I have two brand new Interstate batteries.

Two days after those were installed. My truck died without warning. I jumped it and took it to a shop. They said my alternator had very low voltage and had to be replaced. Thinking it was just wear and tear, I paid the money, got a new alternator and went on my way.

2 weeks later, I had a battery light come on. Not thinking anything of it, I kept doing what I was doing. The truck died eventually. I jumped it and took it to Ford. Ford told me it was the alternator. After arguing that it was something else, I gave it to them. Not 5 minutes after I leave, the battery light came back on. Without having any time to actually drop it off, I have been leaving my truck on a trickle charger every other day to keep the batteries fresh. Obviously my alternator or alternator system is not properly charging my batteries or one of those modifications is draining the batteries faster than the alternator can charge it.

I'm TIRED of spending money for someone to tell me its the alternator. I am an electrical idiot so what options do I have to pursue this. Let me know. Thanks!!

Justin

 

Most likely that replaced alternator was a rebuilt. They could be bad at times. It does sound like it's your alternator. Do you have a warranty on it? If so, return it for another one.

You may want to check your wires on the batteries and the ground to the frame and block. Make sure the terminals are clean.

 

Think of it like this. The Excursion was flawless when I bought it.

I added all of those part and two days later, my truck is dead. Sounds fishy right?

Then I get an alternator from one store, it dies.

Then I get one from Ford, and it looks like it's not working.

Sounds like something bigger than an Alternator.

I just don't want to spend the money at Ford to have them "diagnose" it. Already filed a complaint for not checking the truck out before I picked it up.

 

I would hook up an amp meter and see what current draw you have. Then, pull the fuses out one by one that controls each one of those gadgets you installed to see if any current drops. If you find one, then that could be the culprit.

 

Find your problem, then buy a lifetime warranted alternator. It takes about 8 minutes to put one on. Don't pay anyone labor for that job. If you don't know how, just come back here and you will be instructed on how to do it.

Also the 7.3L has the setup to install two alternators on it. You may want to look into that if you want to keep adding current drawing devices.

You may want to look at the Green Machine alternators or some other high output alternator.

 

I agree with you, it was fine until all those things were installed. So at least one of them is draining current and killing the batteries. Hook up an amp meter, like the other guys have siad, in series with each device and see what one is pulling the current. Should be easy to find the culprit.

 

Since you've replaced (multiple times) the ALT and have new batteries,
it's something else.

Sounds like perhaps some (all) of these items are connected to a
constant 12v vs. switch 12v (the radio has power all the time
even though the sound is off?)

Try pulling the fuse to the radio for a day or two and see if the problem
goes away? Alternatively, the backlight and/or gauge power is on all
the time - check which circuit they get power from.

 

Take it back to the dealership. They will not or at least should not charge u for a diagnosis beins it is the same problem u went in for and they did not Fix It Right The First Time.
Pay real close attention to what they say is wrong after they diagnos it. If it costs a bunch to repair then come back here with what they said was wrong and we can hook u up with instructions on how to fix it....