05 Alternator help
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 126
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05 Alternator help
Looks like my alternator is going out again. Second one and this one only lasted about 30k miles. I have the 110amp single setup. Can I upgrade to the 140amp without changing wiring? Also can anyone address the "build date" differences I'm seeing at the various parts stores? What's the difference between these alternators. I'd like to have the extra power although the only real accessory I have is a transfer flow fuel tank (not sure how many amps that draws). I figure it can't be much except when the fuel pump is on.
130,000 miles and I've loved driving every single one of them.
Thanks.
130,000 miles and I've loved driving every single one of them.
Thanks.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,055
Likes: 235
From: Saratoga Springs,UT
My last Motocraft alternator only went 5000 miles and that might be giving it some
I went with DC Power so far so good
make shure all your grounds and stuff are clean dont want the new alternator to work itself to Death
I went with DC Power so far so good
make shure all your grounds and stuff are clean dont want the new alternator to work itself to Death
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Along these same lines, I have a Scangauge II and I am wondering if my alternator is working correctly. What voltages should I be seeing? When I first start it up and it is idling, it is around 12.5V. Once I start driving it is 13.7-14.0V. How can you tell if your alternator is dying?
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,420
Likes: 16
From: Ouray, CO
Along these same lines, I have a Scangauge II and I am wondering if my alternator is working correctly. What voltages should I be seeing? When I first start it up and it is idling, it is around 12.5V. Once I start driving it is 13.7-14.0V. How can you tell if your alternator is dying?
from outputting. I believe this is because the current draw of the
glow plugs exceeds the alternator so this is to save the alternator.
I wait to move my PSD until the alternator kicks in (voltage goes back to 13.6+). I also leave my auto-headlights off, and the same with my
auto-HVAC system. I wait to turn things on until the voltages rises
indicating the alternator is online.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,420
Likes: 16
From: Ouray, CO
It would seem so. The glow plugs can remain on for "up to 2 minutes".
The only indication they are on/off is the voltage.
The only indication they are on/off is the voltage.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 155
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
With the PSD, the glow plugs being "on" disables the alternator
from outputting. I believe this is because the current draw of the
glow plugs exceeds the alternator so this is to save the alternator.
I wait to move my PSD until the alternator kicks in (voltage goes back to 13.6+). I also leave my auto-headlights off, and the same with my
auto-HVAC system. I wait to turn things on until the voltages rises
indicating the alternator is online.
from outputting. I believe this is because the current draw of the
glow plugs exceeds the alternator so this is to save the alternator.
I wait to move my PSD until the alternator kicks in (voltage goes back to 13.6+). I also leave my auto-headlights off, and the same with my
auto-HVAC system. I wait to turn things on until the voltages rises
indicating the alternator is online.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 155
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
Along these same lines, I have a Scangauge II and I am wondering if my alternator is working correctly. What voltages should I be seeing? When I first start it up and it is idling, it is around 12.5V. Once I start driving it is 13.7-14.0V. How can you tell if your alternator is dying?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 126
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My alternator light has been coming on and off for a while now. Nothing consistent, but at idle it drops from around 13.5 to 12.0-12.5v. My batteries definitely needed charging this past weekend. The light has come on quicker and stayed longer over the past month.
Does anyone know what's up with the different alternators? Seems to only affect rebuilds. Autozone shows some as "built to11/03/2004" and "built from 09/15/2004". I'm planning on just buying new anyways, but don't want to get the wrong thing.
Does anyone know what's up with the different alternators? Seems to only affect rebuilds. Autozone shows some as "built to11/03/2004" and "built from 09/15/2004". I'm planning on just buying new anyways, but don't want to get the wrong thing.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,420
Likes: 16
From: Ouray, CO
Be aware, low voltage will lead to a failed FICM which is $$$$.
Bad batteries can kill the alternator, so when you buy new batteries
(always buy 2 new batteries!) only to find they won't stay charged too.
Not a place were "trying" to save $150 is worth it IMO.
When you realize a fill-up is $160 (or more), the cost of parts
doesn't look so bad.
Bad batteries can kill the alternator, so when you buy new batteries
(always buy 2 new batteries!) only to find they won't stay charged too.
Not a place were "trying" to save $150 is worth it IMO.
When you realize a fill-up is $160 (or more), the cost of parts
doesn't look so bad.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 675
Likes: 1
From: NV
Along these same lines, I have a Scangauge II and I am wondering if my alternator is working correctly. What voltages should I be seeing? When I first start it up and it is idling, it is around 12.5V. Once I start driving it is 13.7-14.0V. How can you tell if your alternator is dying?
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 155
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
My alternator light has been coming on and off for a while now. Nothing consistent, but at idle it drops from around 13.5 to 12.0-12.5v. My batteries definitely needed charging this past weekend. The light has come on quicker and stayed longer over the past month.
Does anyone know what's up with the different alternators? Seems to only affect rebuilds. Autozone shows some as "built to11/03/2004" and "built from 09/15/2004". I'm planning on just buying new anyways, but don't want to get the wrong thing.
Does anyone know what's up with the different alternators? Seems to only affect rebuilds. Autozone shows some as "built to11/03/2004" and "built from 09/15/2004". I'm planning on just buying new anyways, but don't want to get the wrong thing.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 675
Likes: 1
From: NV
You can check it at the battery or I use these as a quick check in the lighter socket.
Car 12V /24Volt Meter Red Digital Display VOLTAGE GAUGE | eBay
For $0.99 shipped it is almost throwaway
Car 12V /24Volt Meter Red Digital Display VOLTAGE GAUGE | eBay
For $0.99 shipped it is almost throwaway