Charging System Error?
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Joined: Dec 2012
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Charging System Error?
Hi; So I'm a very stupid college girl who thought, "hey, I've always wanted an old truck. Let me find a piece of junk and teach myself some things about auto mechanics." Well, I picked up a 1994 Ford F150 5.0 v8 engine for dirt cheap from a police auction, and it's been and interesting experience. It's got 180,000+ miles on it but still going strong, usually.
Recently, I've had an issue where I'll drive up to a stop sign or red light, and not every time, but sometimes, my battery light will flash at me and I'll lose my power steering and brakes. Usually the radio comes back on after a couple of seconds, and if I throw the truck in park, it willingly restarts on the road and we continue on. The battery is 2 months old, as are the battery connector cables. I got the system tested at Adv.Auto and the battery tests fine, the starter tests fine, and the alternator tests fine... until it's loaded with the heat and headlights, in which case it stops working all together.
As I understand it, this isn't a regular you-should-replace-the-alternator situation. The truck still runs (except at night and/or with the heat on). What else in the system can be shot, and how can I go about fixing it?
Help?
Recently, I've had an issue where I'll drive up to a stop sign or red light, and not every time, but sometimes, my battery light will flash at me and I'll lose my power steering and brakes. Usually the radio comes back on after a couple of seconds, and if I throw the truck in park, it willingly restarts on the road and we continue on. The battery is 2 months old, as are the battery connector cables. I got the system tested at Adv.Auto and the battery tests fine, the starter tests fine, and the alternator tests fine... until it's loaded with the heat and headlights, in which case it stops working all together.
As I understand it, this isn't a regular you-should-replace-the-alternator situation. The truck still runs (except at night and/or with the heat on). What else in the system can be shot, and how can I go about fixing it?
Help?
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 59
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well if you had the alternater tested and it was bad i would definitly replace it although that alone shouldnt make your truck die.
1-are there any codes you can check them yourself with a paper clip or jumper wire.
2-what is the alternater charging at anything below 13vdc theres something wrong
all your dummy lights will come and you will loose all power excessories when the engine dies. so i would say the main problem is not your charging system although it does need to be looked at. sounds like you have an idle issue. i would check the iac to ensure it is working properly not dirty or broken.
search obd1 code check on this site and you will find a thread with pictures of the connections and intructions on how to check the codes then post back with what you find
1-are there any codes you can check them yourself with a paper clip or jumper wire.
2-what is the alternater charging at anything below 13vdc theres something wrong
all your dummy lights will come and you will loose all power excessories when the engine dies. so i would say the main problem is not your charging system although it does need to be looked at. sounds like you have an idle issue. i would check the iac to ensure it is working properly not dirty or broken.
search obd1 code check on this site and you will find a thread with pictures of the connections and intructions on how to check the codes then post back with what you find
Postmaster
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,310
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From: E.Lincoln County, NC
all your dummy lights will come and you will loose all power accessories when the engine dies. so i would say the main problem is not your charging system although it does need to be looked at. sounds like you have an idle issue. i would check the iac to ensure it is working properly not dirty or broken.
That's a pretty nice looking truck for a 94 in NY "for cheap".
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Joined: Dec 2012
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Thanks! Yea, I thought it was quite the find. $1000 for a body that was almost completely free of rust, a working engine and tranny. If it got ****ed to the point I couldn't fix it, it was worth nearly that in resold scraps. Still wish I had a key to the doors, but...
How do I go about checking my engine idle?
What could be broken in that?
How do I go about checking my engine idle?
What could be broken in that?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: West Virginia
Thats a very nice score for 1k. I also agree sounds to me like the IAC valve not a charging issue. Here is a link that has a picture and some good tips on cleaning.
Also Rock Auto has new door lock cylinders for your truck if your interested. Be a shame for you to go outside one morning and see your truck emptied of its contents or even worse gone.
Also Rock Auto has new door lock cylinders for your truck if your interested. Be a shame for you to go outside one morning and see your truck emptied of its contents or even worse gone.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 59
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you can also pick up a brand new iac for about 40 bucks from just about any auto parts store.somtimes the motor is just bad and cleaning it does nothing but it does need to be clean for a new one so it doesnt get stuck
with the truck being old chances are it is full of carbon build up i would seafoam it that works wonders.
with the truck being old chances are it is full of carbon build up i would seafoam it that works wonders.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 6
From: Dallas, TX, USA
So, what was the outcome of this?
Also - you're not a stupid college girl. You're obtaining life skills that will serve you well and ensure that you don't have to depend on others while you stand around and look helpless. :P
Also - you're not a stupid college girl. You're obtaining life skills that will serve you well and ensure that you don't have to depend on others while you stand around and look helpless. :P
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,123
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From: Baltimore
You must be referencing me. I guess one out of three isn't bad though. And no, I never made it to college...
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