ROAD TRIP
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
Even if ya don't have the tools, it'd be a lot cheaper to buy the tools than to pay the labor to have one installed. Having someone change the alt for you is like paying someone to install a battery for you. Wasted money.
Stewart
Stewart
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 670
Likes: 1
From: SoCal...LP to the LB
Ya alternator shot, and it killed the red top....buyin the alternator and battery
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 670
Likes: 1
From: SoCal...LP to the LB
Shop is installing a Motorcraft alternator, and an interstate battery gonna be about an hour and then we'll be on our way again.
What an adventure haha
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Excursion Fleet Manager
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 5
From: Green Oak, MI
Wow Steph, glad to hear it got diagnosed and is getting fixed. My battery light came on last year and I replaced the alternator after I got home. The headlights were dim in my case, but then they brightened up and the battery light went off as the alternator caught again somehow.
Did your battery light not come on at any point?
Jon
Did your battery light not come on at any point?
Jon
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 670
Likes: 1
From: SoCal...LP to the LB
Wow Steph, glad to hear it got diagnosed and is getting fixed. My battery light came on last year and I replaced the alternator after I got home. The headlights were dim in my case, but then they brightened up and the battery light went off as the alternator caught again somehow.
Did your battery light not come on at any point?
Jon
Did your battery light not come on at any point?
Jon
Got everything fixed and on our way and left Vegas 2 pm yesterday and powers through a little over 500 miles and made it to our hotel reservation in Evanston, Wy. Goin through Wy now and making little stops here and there.
Knock on my center console wood, the rest of the trip will be hassle free
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 3
From: Windsor, Colorado
That is my complaint about the addition of the trans temp gauge (which is worthless), it did away with the amp meter. I have had many alternators fail in my 02 superduties and one in my X. None of them made battery light come on until it was so low that I lost the entire dash. Usually starts with the radio cutting out and then the dash cuts in and out until the battery light finally comes on. Once the battery light comes on the dash is done and you better get to an auto parts store ASAP. The last one I changed on our way to Church in NAPA's parking lot!! At least with my diesels it never got low enough to kill the pcm so I always had the engine running as it doesn't take much elect. power.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 670
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From: SoCal...LP to the LB
When we get back home we are gonna have all the electrics stuff checked out. Is there away to clean/replace the steering wheel controls?
When my dad put on the high beams at night, the cruise control stopped...he presses the coast button on the steering wheel and the horn honked...my dad was feeling like we were in the bug bus in Little Miss Sunshine haha
On our last leg out here and makin our way from Sidney to Grand Island, Ne. Also having to reevaluate our route bak home because of the Colorado fires right now.
When my dad put on the high beams at night, the cruise control stopped...he presses the coast button on the steering wheel and the horn honked...my dad was feeling like we were in the bug bus in Little Miss Sunshine haha
On our last leg out here and makin our way from Sidney to Grand Island, Ne. Also having to reevaluate our route bak home because of the Colorado fires right now.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 24
From: Houston
I would start by looking for some chaffed wires in the steering column. It is fairly common for these trucks.
I'm pretty sure you can remove and clean the steering wheel buttons. I've done it on my Expedition, but I'd be willing to bet the problem is more likely in the column.
I'm pretty sure you can remove and clean the steering wheel buttons. I've done it on my Expedition, but I'd be willing to bet the problem is more likely in the column.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 215
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte, NC
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,237
Likes: 22
From: Florida
you may want to check out this link for issues with "chaffed" and exposed wires in the steering column...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-to-drive.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-to-drive.html