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Old Nov 20, 2010 | 06:11 PM
  #1  
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dimambro2
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need some help

ok i have my battery light on the gauge cluster on. its been on for a while can seem to find out whats the cause so today i went through and mad all new negitive and positive wires(at the correct size). cleaned all contact points and aso tested for resistance through the wires(didnt get anything higher then .2 ohms figured that it was within the meters tallorance. alternator is producing 14.6v and batteries will not go any higher then 14v and the light still stays on. so what could cause this? also if i get the truck to 2000rpm range the light will flicker and sometimes go out.


any help would be great
thanks
Chris
 
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Old Nov 20, 2010 | 07:01 PM
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clintbonnie
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From: Ardenvoir, Washington
Had a similar problem.. it turned out to be one of the small wires coming off the alternator was rubbing on the alternator housing close to the connector on top.. I also had 14.4 volts when this was happening..
Another area to check is the drivers side valve cover... there is the main wire harness that lays on the cover and some people have reported rubbing thru the insulation and causing a short..
 
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Old Nov 20, 2010 | 07:09 PM
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brownie83
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had similar problem a few weeks back...the GPR was drawing even when it didnt need. the always hot terminal was actaully screamin hot...burned my fingers. my GPR led didnt go on, but after talking to an FTE brother, he turned me to this problem...ordered a stancor from mouser and now all is good. check it out...hope this helps
 
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Old Nov 20, 2010 | 07:14 PM
  #4  
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clintbonnie
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From: Ardenvoir, Washington
Originally Posted by brownie83
had similar problem a few weeks back...the GPR was drawing even when it didnt need. the always hot terminal was actaully screamin hot...burned my fingers. my GPR led didnt go on, but after talking to an FTE brother, he turned me to this problem...ordered a stancor from mouser and now all is good. check it out...hope this helps
If the GPR was drawing current.. the voltage usually drops to around 11 V at the batteries... I have a volt meter plugged into the cigarette lighter all the time and I watch the GPR kick in and out... If working proper, the voltage will jump back up to around 14.4 after about a minute on a cold start.. I think he's getting the full voltage from the alternator but has a short somewheres..
 
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Old Nov 20, 2010 | 07:41 PM
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i will check first thing in the morning. valve cover and around the alternator anything else i should check?
thanks for the suggestions
 
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Old Nov 20, 2010 | 08:05 PM
  #6  
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I have had the same problem since I bought my truck in december. Ford mechanic said it might be a diode in the alternator, that might be causeing it. Havnt seen the point of spending 400 for a new one
 
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Old Nov 20, 2010 | 08:58 PM
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Originally Posted by strokingbeast
I have had the same problem since I bought my truck in december. Ford mechanic said it might be a diode in the alternator, that might be causeing it. Havnt seen the point of spending 400 for a new one
you can get a lifetime remaned alternator for about 160 or so...takes under 15 mins to install...just did one a few weeks ago in the advanced auto parking lot
 
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Old Nov 20, 2010 | 08:59 PM
  #8  
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Originally Posted by clintbonnie
If the GPR was drawing current.. the voltage usually drops to around 11 V at the batteries... I have a volt meter plugged into the cigarette lighter all the time and I watch the GPR kick in and out... If working proper, the voltage will jump back up to around 14.4 after about a minute on a cold start.. I think he's getting the full voltage from the alternator but has a short somewheres..
where did you get that volt meter...id like one myself
 
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Old Nov 20, 2010 | 10:47 PM
  #9  
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clintbonnie
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From: Ardenvoir, Washington
Originally Posted by brownie83
where did you get that volt meter...id like one myself
I got mine from Amazon.com .. for $11 with free shipping (if you buy over $25).. I got 3 of them.. one in the truck, one in SeaRay, one in Arctic Fox trailer.. SEE:
Amazon.com: Vector VEC008 Digital LCD Voltmeter, 12 Volt: Automotive
 
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Old Nov 21, 2010 | 07:52 AM
  #10  
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the only reason that i dont think its the alternator is the fact that i will put out 14.6v which seams right but the batteries will not charge to 14.6v only 14v. does anyone now wha the light on the dash is trigger by?

thanks
 
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Old Nov 21, 2010 | 10:30 AM
  #11  
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Put a voltmeter on the battery that can read A/C (alternating current) on the battery during the start up. If the meter reads more that about 2vac, the diode mentioned earlier is bad, giving you the charge system fail light. Most battery testers wont measure the A/C, because it needs to be done on the vehicle while running. If the system is allowed to run in this condition you run the risk of doing damage to the delicate engine control systems.
 
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Old Nov 21, 2010 | 11:11 AM
  #12  
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clintbonnie
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From: Ardenvoir, Washington
Originally Posted by dimambro2
the only reason that i dont think its the alternator is the fact that i will put out 14.6v which seams right but the batteries will not charge to 14.6v only 14v. does anyone now wha the light on the dash is trigger by?

thanks
With the engine off, the batteries will never go to 14.6 volts even though your alternator has been charging at that voltage.. (high 13's is about max).

As mention before, a short in the charging system will trigger the light but I sure there are other reasons .
 
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Old Nov 21, 2010 | 06:39 PM
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well shouldnt the batteries read the same voltage as the alternator when running? I try to wiggle the connector on top of the alt. light flickered a little so I think that maybe the problem.(doesnt help that the people at autozone broke the clip for the harness when testing it)
 
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Old Nov 21, 2010 | 08:05 PM
  #14  
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clintbonnie
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From: Ardenvoir, Washington
Originally Posted by dimambro2
well shouldnt the batteries read the same voltage as the alternator when running? I try to wiggle the connector on top of the alt. light flickered a little so I think that maybe the problem.(doesnt help that the people at autozone broke the clip for the harness when testing it)
Yes.. Sounds like you may have found the problem.. A loose connection may trigger the light to come on.. Maybe someone can tell you if you can replace this the clip.. if it is broken..
 
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Old Nov 22, 2010 | 04:09 PM
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still looking for a short. also noticed if its raining the light flickers off for longer periods of time. digging into the wireloom today
 
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