Alternator

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Oct 28, 2012 | 10:26 AM

chaz'6er

Thread Starter

Trailering

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 23

Likes: 0

From: Sanger, CA

Alternator

Need a little help. I've got a 84 f-150 with a stock aux. battery (2 batteries total). I had trouble starting it one day. I've got fuel pumping and got spark. Finally got it started, Drove it around 5 miles but the gas gauge wouldn't work nor the radio. Got it back home and could not start it. Battery was weak like it's not getting charged (battery 11mos. old). But now the radio and gauges work. I guess it's the alternator. My question is how many amps do I need for 2 batteries? I'd like a high amp alternator because I plan on pulling a trailer and maybe add some accessories. Also do I need to change the voltage regulator for the higher amps?

Oct 28, 2012 | 11:47 AM

rikard

Posting Guru

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 1,208

Likes: 2

From: North Reading Mass

If you want a high amp alternator you can upgrade to a 130 amp 3G. There are several threads on this site and others that tell you what is needed for the change. Find out what caused the issue in your dash because that was probably why your alternator didn't turn on. My old 83 had all kinds of electrical gremlins that I finally traced to bad grounds and a resistive junction block on the firewall near the brake booster.
regards
rikard

Oct 28, 2012 | 12:07 PM

ctubutis

Moderator

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 22,415

Likes: 92

From: Denver Metro Area, CO

Try jiggling the ignition lock cylinder, turn the key towards yourself and see if that makes the accessories and such work. The grease in the gears gets old and dirty and the spring loses its ability to turn the switch fully to RUN from START (thereby connecting the proper circuits) all by itself, this can cause your problem.

Do some voltage checks at the battery to check out the alternator and charging system, don't just assume