Alternator Issue?
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
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Alternator Issue?
Ok have an electrical problem. Vehicle is a 2006 with 124K, all stock except for 4" turbo back exhaust.
This past week my batteries went dead, first time in 3 years owning. The batteries are less than 6 months old. I recharged them individually and both pass a full load test. They are currently fully charged yet my scan gauge is goign crazy on voltage. At start the voltage drops to 11.7 then as it comes up it fluctuates excessively between 13.2 and 14.1. Should I have such charging voltage on fully charged batteries? Also I noticed that one of my pod gauges is fluctuating like it is getting some crazy voltage depending on engine RPM. I have no battery or charge light and no codes or CEL. Can the alternator be going? Just hate to replace parts instead of figuring the problem. Alternator is factory ford and as best I can tell the original one.
Thanks
This past week my batteries went dead, first time in 3 years owning. The batteries are less than 6 months old. I recharged them individually and both pass a full load test. They are currently fully charged yet my scan gauge is goign crazy on voltage. At start the voltage drops to 11.7 then as it comes up it fluctuates excessively between 13.2 and 14.1. Should I have such charging voltage on fully charged batteries? Also I noticed that one of my pod gauges is fluctuating like it is getting some crazy voltage depending on engine RPM. I have no battery or charge light and no codes or CEL. Can the alternator be going? Just hate to replace parts instead of figuring the problem. Alternator is factory ford and as best I can tell the original one.
Thanks
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 301
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That's about how mine went. In my area, I found a good old school auto-electric shop. They test for free, and will repair the alternator so you don't need to replace it. My total bill was just over $100 with 1 year warranty, and it works perfectly now.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,071
Likes: 241
From: Saratoga Springs,UT
you didnt post any number too bad either Even that 11.9V at start isnt to Bad common actualy as the Glow Plugs are on and the Alt wont kick on till GP turn Off
the best way is to pull the alt and have it Load test on bench
and pray it not a parasitic battery drain
the best way is to pull the alt and have it Load test on bench
and pray it not a parasitic battery drain
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no battery light, not even ever a flicker. Just wierd that out of the blue in a week both batteries get drained. Never been a problem before, now Im worried that something is up. I usually only drive it on weekends pulling the boat, guess I will have to see if it drains down again over the next week. I will maybe pop it off and have it tested. Just is odd, as up until last week, the voltage on my scan gauge was always rock steady. Now its all over the place.
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From: Millersville, MD
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I drive a 2006 and have a scan gauge on it. On startup it is common for it to go as low as 11.5 volts and stay around there for a couple minutes until the alternator can kick in. If the idle kicks up to around 1200 for a couple minutes it will return to around 13.2 volts. However, i have never seen it over 13.5volts. I am going to say that your voltage regulator on the alternator has probably gone by by.
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Thanks for the tips. I am pulling it off and taking it to the local alternator shop we do business with. I spoke to the owner and he says that those alternators fail quite commonly. Matter of fact he said he has two companies running 6.0's that he upgrades their alternators as they fail. He called it the "soft start" regulator where it wont kick in right away that fails often. He claims that he upgrades them to a regulator that initiates normal charge at start up and there is no "wait" for full charge. Has nayone ever heard of anything like this? He claims he has no failures and even warranties the alternator for 2 years. On another note, what is the reason for the delay in the alternator going to full charge?
thanks
thanks
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,414
Likes: 22
From: Tucson USA
The current issue of trailer life has an article on batteries and alternators. Its based on the turtle expedition. The shop they use recommends that a good ground wire be installed from the alternator to the engine block. they said that the alternator is only grounded through the mount and that can cause issues.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
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From: Spanaway
One test that can show a bad ALT is if you
have the radio on an AM station and hear a
whine that goes up and down with the engine
RPM that ALT is getting ready to go. It does not
happen all the time but when it does you will
be replacing one some time soon.
Sean
have the radio on an AM station and hear a
whine that goes up and down with the engine
RPM that ALT is getting ready to go. It does not
happen all the time but when it does you will
be replacing one some time soon.
Sean
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,071
Likes: 241
From: Saratoga Springs,UT
I think or really know the shop is BS ya
If you want a Good ALternator go with a DC Power
the PCm controls the Alternator turn on so there isnt nothing he can do to the alt to make it turn on imediatly
You dont want it to turn on like that because it will create a 80-100Amp Voltage spike each time the truck is started and the Glow Plug turns off.
The setup you have now waits to turn of the Glow Plugs till it turn on the alternator
If you want a Good ALternator go with a DC Power
the PCm controls the Alternator turn on so there isnt nothing he can do to the alt to make it turn on imediatly
You dont want it to turn on like that because it will create a 80-100Amp Voltage spike each time the truck is started and the Glow Plug turns off.
The setup you have now waits to turn of the Glow Plugs till it turn on the alternator
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,116
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From: Florida
I never heard this before. Is this verifiable? I find this interesting.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
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From: Spanaway
Every time I have had this go on I have had to
replace the ALT shortly after and it then goes away.
If you think about it if a diode goes bad your going
to get an AC ripple and that can get broadcasted
over the electrical system and the radio will pick
that up. It won't happen every time but when it does.
it's time.
Sean
replace the ALT shortly after and it then goes away.
If you think about it if a diode goes bad your going
to get an AC ripple and that can get broadcasted
over the electrical system and the radio will pick
that up. It won't happen every time but when it does.
it's time.
Sean
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
Interesting little tidbits can be found here
read the best answer.
Alternator making weird noises? - Yahoo! Answers
This one is also got some good info
What are the Signs of a Bad Alternator
Sean
read the best answer.
Alternator making weird noises? - Yahoo! Answers
This one is also got some good info
What are the Signs of a Bad Alternator
Sean