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Battery Light rapid blinking when raining

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Old Jul 15, 2012 | 07:49 PM
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Battery Light rapid blinking when raining

Tonight is the 2nd time in a 3 days it's rained and my battery light more or less strobes, not a steady blink or staying on. Battery and Alternator where replaced in Nov. 11' This issue is new to me. Any thoughts??


2000 XLT 4x4 4.6L 140K
 
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Old Jul 15, 2012 | 07:52 PM
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If it's only when raining, then the belt could be stretched to it's limit, or the belt tensioner could be weak. In either event, I suspect the wetness is causing the belt to lose it's grip on the pulleys because the belt isn't tight enough.
 
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Old Jul 15, 2012 | 07:58 PM
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Alloro always appreciate your input. I'll check the belt 2mrw I did replace that as well when I replaced the Batt n Alt in Nov.
 
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Old Jul 15, 2012 | 09:15 PM
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Well if the belt is new I would tend to think it's not the problem. But to be safe, you might want to double check the to see where the wear indicator marks are, just in case the manufacturer makes their belts a bit too long. After that, take a look at the tensioner and make sure it swings freely and doesn't bind up.
 
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Old Jul 16, 2012 | 12:39 AM
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There is common issue on Gen 1s where water drips down through the problematic windshield molding and onto some circuitry. It causes all kinds of strange electronic stuff...windshield wipers going off on their own, truck trying to start on its own, etc.
I think it drips on the GEM unit

Here is a thread on it (one of many) and how to check for water in the cab:
http://www.expeditionforum.com/f16/o...snt-work-7733/
 
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Old Jul 16, 2012 | 03:09 PM
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Ok, ran to Advanced today and had them test the charging and ignition system. All is well there. I did check the belt for tension and could just barely get it to flex when I did it by hand. Not sure if thats a safe bet that the belt tensioner is fine. I'll check the pillar and kick panels this week for any water evidence, it's going to be mostly in the upper 80's this week, so hopefully no more rain.

Yet today when I got home, the battery light, strobed again, then blinked normally, and finally stayed on. Right as I came to a complete stop, and my drive way does sit on a bit of a slope, so my truck is facing down hill. I'm starting to believe it is water near the GEM.

Thanks for the input guys.
 
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Old Jul 18, 2012 | 01:57 AM
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Ok, checked for water, near the pillar and pulled most of the steering panels and felt around for a bit near the GEM but didn't find any evidence of water.

One thing I did connect was this did happen, when I had cold air on, not AC. And I was indeed getting puddles on the ground, under the pass side door. Is it possible condensation is dripping on a battery cable or the like causing this, under the hood as opposed to in the cab??
 
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