Dash Gauge & Lights problem
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Dash Gauge & Lights problem
Yesterday evening on the way home my dash lights and all gauges would click off and then in a few seconds they would come back on again. When they came back on the head lights would come on also. The head light switch was in the automatic position then the headlights would go off. It was not quite dark enough yet for the lights to be on yet. The truck ran fine while this was happening and I never got a trouble light on the dash.
I have no idea where too start looking for this problem suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 06 F-250 62,000 miles.
I have no idea where too start looking for this problem suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 06 F-250 62,000 miles.
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From: Scio, OR
When you say the dash lights and gauges went off, are you saying the illumination went off or did the gauges themselves actually stop working.
If it was just illumination then it sounds like you have a problem with the autolamps. If it was the gauges themselves also then there is more going on.
Either way you should check your batteries and charging first to make sure you don't have an overall power problem.
If it was just illumination then it sounds like you have a problem with the autolamps. If it was the gauges themselves also then there is more going on.
Either way you should check your batteries and charging first to make sure you don't have an overall power problem.
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The gauges will stop working and the illumination goes out.
I think the problem is in my alternator. With a voltmeter on the battery my voltage is all over the place anywhere from 12.5, 13.8,15.4,15.9,16.4 to 16.8 at idle within less than a minute. before I tested I did wait for the alternator to start charging.
If the problem is my alternator this will be the 4th one I have had to put in the truck. This is getting old. Where is the best place to get a quality alternator for our trucks. I do not want the best price I want a very good alternator. Suggestions please.
Thanks
I think the problem is in my alternator. With a voltmeter on the battery my voltage is all over the place anywhere from 12.5, 13.8,15.4,15.9,16.4 to 16.8 at idle within less than a minute. before I tested I did wait for the alternator to start charging.
If the problem is my alternator this will be the 4th one I have had to put in the truck. This is getting old. Where is the best place to get a quality alternator for our trucks. I do not want the best price I want a very good alternator. Suggestions please.
Thanks
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Scio, OR
My preference is for the stock, OEM alternator designed for the power demands of the diesel. Unless you have unusual demands, like a monster amplified sound system or the like, that draw unusual amounts of power that is the best way to go. At least in my opinion.
What alternators have you been using? And what powered accessories, if any, do you have installed.
What alternators have you been using? And what powered accessories, if any, do you have installed.
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Update: I took it to the Ford dealership today and they checked the batteries and the alternator. They said the batteries were good and the alternator was constant at 14.2 at high idle. (It was good.) So, unfortunately, this seems to be an intermittent problem that they could not recreate. At their suggestion I checked and cleaned all connections to both batteries and the grounding connections that I could find. I found no obvious problem. This alternator is from "L and L Automotive Electric" in NJ. It's been on my truck for 14 months. Can anyone suggest a next step because I'm worried about damaging the FICM board?
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Another update. I finally fixed my problem with a new alternator from DC Power. I chose the 190 amp after talking to them. My truck is stock but this will give room to grow if the need arises.
This is the 4th alternator I have put on the truck I sure hope this one last. From what I have been reading DC Power seems to put out a good product. Time will tell.
I still don't understand why this truck has gone through so many alternators. I hope there is not a underlying problem that is causing this or maybe it was just bad luck and now the problem is taking care of. Both batteries checked good and I don't know where else to look. Any suggestions?
This is the 4th alternator I have put on the truck I sure hope this one last. From what I have been reading DC Power seems to put out a good product. Time will tell.
I still don't understand why this truck has gone through so many alternators. I hope there is not a underlying problem that is causing this or maybe it was just bad luck and now the problem is taking care of. Both batteries checked good and I don't know where else to look. Any suggestions?
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i went thru 3 in about 2 months with weak batteries. everytime alt went out i would recharge batteries with battery charger. turns out battery charger was bad and was not fully charging them, then alt would fry trying to recharge them..
i got one atl out of box put it on, day later had it tested cuz of light coming on and was either bad out of box, or got killed that quick.
did you load test the batteries or just check voltage? you batteries are getting some age if they are stock. mine lasted 4 yrs.
i got one atl out of box put it on, day later had it tested cuz of light coming on and was either bad out of box, or got killed that quick.
did you load test the batteries or just check voltage? you batteries are getting some age if they are stock. mine lasted 4 yrs.
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My current batteries are Optima red tops. They are about 1 1/2 yrs. old and I did load test. One was fine and one was just a little weak but still in the good zone according to the load tester.
The alternator that I replaced was actually over charging it would go up to 15.8 briefly.
The alternator that I replaced was actually over charging it would go up to 15.8 briefly.
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