Was having issues with my truck took it down to autozone and a few other places and had the battery, alt, v/r, and starter checked on their scanner. They all said i had a bad voltage regulator. I ended up replacing the entire alt just to get it out of the way. This is where it gets iffy, since replacement, i need a jump just to start my truck. It takes me like 3 trys in a row to get it to crank, the starts kicks in but doesnt even do one whole turn likes its stuck. But i dont think it could be the starter because when i shut it off NOTHING has power until i hook up jumpers cables. Than it comes alive. When it is running the voltage meter inside my truck is going insane spiking, vibrating. My radio will cut in and out if i put a window down or something. My tachometer(aftermarket) will just go nuts and bounce back and forth!!! Checked battery and they said it was holding a charge. I think i may have gotten a bad alt or voltage regulator. Please if you have any other suggestions hit me with them. I'm desperate to get this truck back on the road. Also, it was acting as if the timing was increased because it got up and went NOTICEABLY faster and just had overall better performance it seemed like.

 

First and foremost, what year is your truck?

 

1995 f150 XLT 4.9L 2WD

 

The no-start scenario sounds to me like a dead battery, probably the result of a faulty alternator/regulator or perhaps it's just hooked up incorrectly.

Once it's running and things start wiggin' out, could also be explained by the above.

What voltage do you have at the battery with the engine off? And with it running?

Should be around 12 not running, around 14 while running.

I'd verify correct installation of the wiring and take the entire truck back to the parts store for further diagnosis if needed.

 

I ended up driving it up to the local advance auto parts store after i jumped it, and talked to the manager. He tested the parts and said they are working fine according to their system thing that checks ****. I kept saying it has to be one of the 2. He kept saying there is no way, our system is very accurate.

Eventually i said enough is enough once i started getting agitated and he told me i dont know what the hell i am talking about. I said here, your an older gentleman, lets make a wager. So i said give me a new battery and another new alt. I will install, u can check all connections before i start it up. But i said if it works, i owe you no more money and you refund the alt i already bought and give me the battery for free, If you are right, I'll pay for both and never come back to this store. We shook hands infront of a few local mechanics i knew . Walked outside, installed the parts in less than 15min. Fired right up. I was sure it was the battery but i got a free fix all due to someone yappin his mouth and puttin his parts where his mouth is

 

Excellent work!

 

That's how it's done! Way to go.