Charging issues
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 2
From: Pasadena, Maryland
Charging issues
I tried a search but didn't quite find what I was looking for. I was on my way to work this am and my charge light illuminated. I turned off all electrical load that I could and turned around for home. I called my local rebuilder and he was out of our alternator and couldn't get around to rebuilding mine until Friday. I bought a new unit from another rebuilder in the area and it would not charge. I check the wiring at the alternator I have 12 volts on the one at all times and 12 volts with the ignition switch on the other. With the engine running, I have zero volts on the output terminal. (I even shook the wires a good bit, I read the stories about the plug)
Is there anything I'm forgeting to check? For 250 bucks, you would think that I would get a good alternator!
TIA
Duncan
Is there anything I'm forgeting to check? For 250 bucks, you would think that I would get a good alternator!
TIA
Duncan
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 453
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From: Dade City, FL
Can you verify continuity between the large cable that connects to the alternator post and the batteries. Something doesn't sound right................
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 2
From: Pasadena, Maryland
I don't understand this part, because even if the alternator is bad you should at least be reading battery voltage. The wire which reads 12V continuously is the remote sensor wire which the alternator uses to keep ~ 12V at the terminal block. The wire that goes hot with the key on is the circuit which goes through the dash light, so that all sounds good.
Can you verify continuity between the large cable that connects to the alternator post and the batteries. Something doesn't sound right................
Can you verify continuity between the large cable that connects to the alternator post and the batteries. Something doesn't sound right................
ETA..I had voltage there as well. Looks like I've bought 250 bucks worth of CCJ- Cheap Chinese Junk.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 2
From: Pasadena, Maryland
I took both the new alternator and old one to my usual rebuilder this morning. My old one was definitely fried. He said that is is very common, the internal short to ground. The new one tested good. He told me to go back and check the fusible link. I had 12 volts there, however with the batts and alternator disconnected I had 35 ohms resistance. Further investigation I found this as shown in pic. I have maybe enough wire, a strand or two, to show continuity and voltage, but nowhere near enough to carry any load.
I'm off to get some 12 ga fusible link.
I'm off to get some 12 ga fusible link.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Remember Kwik's trick of additional, heavy-gauge wires between the alternator and the left battery?
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ml#post9537823
Would'a saved you some money and grief. Just sayin'.....
What do you think popped that link? Kinda' unusual to pop one of them at all.
Pop
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ml#post9537823
Would'a saved you some money and grief. Just sayin'.....
What do you think popped that link? Kinda' unusual to pop one of them at all.
Pop
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 2
From: Pasadena, Maryland
What protection do you have if you add an extra wire from the alternator to the left battery? Do you install a link in there as well?
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
In that case, the internal short in an alternator BECOMES the fuse, and blows open!
That's the downside of using the heavy-gauge additional wire, but at that point, the alternator needs repair anyway. Just more repair.
I suppose one COULD put a 150-amp fuse in-line with the added wire.
Pop
That's the downside of using the heavy-gauge additional wire, but at that point, the alternator needs repair anyway. Just more repair.
I suppose one COULD put a 150-amp fuse in-line with the added wire.
Pop
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 2
From: Pasadena, Maryland
In that case, the internal short in an alternator BECOMES the fuse, and blows open!
That's the downside of using the heavy-gauge additional wire, but at that point, the alternator needs repair anyway. Just more repair.
I suppose one COULD put a 150-amp fuse in-line with the added wire.
Pop
That's the downside of using the heavy-gauge additional wire, but at that point, the alternator needs repair anyway. Just more repair.
I suppose one COULD put a 150-amp fuse in-line with the added wire.
Pop
The new link is installed and worked great. Just FYI, the fusible links 4 total, are on a relay just behind the passenger side battery.
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