Intermittent low voltage
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: High Point, NC
Intermittent low voltage
From time to time, my bat light will come on for a few days then go off for weeks... suddenly back on for a few days. When this happens I change my ScanGuage to show the voltage and can see that I'm getting 11.4 to 12.4.
Whats puzzling is that it only happens from time to time - not all of the time.
I've never had any starting problems or low voltage signs (dimming lights with flashers or anything like that). I'm going to have the batts checked, but just haven't the opportunity to yet.
Any ideas?
Whats puzzling is that it only happens from time to time - not all of the time.
I've never had any starting problems or low voltage signs (dimming lights with flashers or anything like that). I'm going to have the batts checked, but just haven't the opportunity to yet.
Any ideas?
Elder User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 765
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From: Patricia, Alberta
Probably the alternator. Mine would be intermittent like that, but would eventually fail completely. Probably the voltage regulator. I went through 3 alternators in just over a year, all new, I suspect they were made in China, put a rebuilt one from my Ford dealer on this spring and it's still running.
Don't run it like that unless you like replacing ficm's. I learned the hard way, bought my truck at an auction, batteries were stone dead, boosted it and got it home, put it on the charger overnite, a week later the batteries were dead again, I messed with them for 3 weeks, finally put new ones in, ficm needs replacing probably because of the battery/alternator ordeal.
Don't run it like that unless you like replacing ficm's. I learned the hard way, bought my truck at an auction, batteries were stone dead, boosted it and got it home, put it on the charger overnite, a week later the batteries were dead again, I messed with them for 3 weeks, finally put new ones in, ficm needs replacing probably because of the battery/alternator ordeal.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 425
Likes: 4
I would also think alternator because with 2 batteries in paralell,the amp capicaty could drop if one battery was having trouble but voltage should not suffer (unless it occured while cranking or some other heavy demand).
I would how ever make certain BOTH batteries test good before replacing the alternator because one could be bad constantly and when the other stumbles,hence the volt drop. Ailing batteries have been known to kill alternators and vicversa,so testing everything seems prudent.
I would how ever make certain BOTH batteries test good before replacing the alternator because one could be bad constantly and when the other stumbles,hence the volt drop. Ailing batteries have been known to kill alternators and vicversa,so testing everything seems prudent.
