Alternator trouble

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Jul 23, 2013 | 08:10 PM

Ed M.

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Alternator trouble

I'm a new member here and looking to staying around awhile. My trouble is that the alternator light on my 2004 F-250 Diesel began to come on occasionally, but never constant. Taking in the fact that it was still the original alternator, and over 70,000 miles, I figured it was time for a new one. I installed the new one and after two days the light came on again. I tested the alternator and it read 13.84 volts while running, . With the engine shut off, I had 12.59, and 12.6 volts at the batteries. I'm looking for any suggestions that may lead me to what may be my problem? Diesel down.

Jul 24, 2013 | 06:35 AM

sammy77

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From: Illinois

Welcome to FTE

The stock alternator is known to be weak on the 6.0. Within the past year, I've seen two bad alternators right out of the box. Have you load tested the batteries?

Jul 24, 2013 | 06:36 AM

redford

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From: Stephensville WI

Sounds like you replaced a bad alternator with a bad alternator.

Jul 24, 2013 | 07:31 AM

mustangmike6996

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From: Metro Detroit-MI

was it a new OEM Ford unit or an advanced auto or other part store reman?

My trucks alternator went out the day before i deployed to i had to install the only one i could find new and not my truck has a parasitic draw. seems like too much of a coincidence with a reman alt. i will be troubleshooting it when i get back to the states.

you might have a bad diode in the regulator.

Jul 26, 2013 | 03:12 PM

Ed M.

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Just pickup another alternator, I'll try this one. I noticed that if I let my truck set and cooled that the light would go off. It just seems that when I ran the truck and it was at normal operating temp for a while is when the light would come on and that's when I had the low charge rate.
I use a local parts store that I've been using for the past 30 years,and not a Advance, Franks, of Auto Zone type supplier. So I m fairly confident in the parts that I get.

Jul 31, 2013 | 08:02 PM

Ed M.

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Well, all seems good. I replaced the first new alternator with another unit and all seems good. I hope that the second one was the trick. I also am playing around with a 1979 chevy 4x4 pickup that I've had for years, and completely replaced everything related with the brake system other that the proportioning valve. The brake booster that I purchased new also was bad. I tried bleeding the brakes about 5 times and could not get a firm pedal. After getting another booster unit, all was good. The alternator and booster problem was all in the same week.what's the chances of that?

Jul 31, 2013 | 08:07 PM

Ed M.

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Just want to thank everyone for there input and problem solving answers pertaining to my alternator problem. As always, as the guys who know to get a resolution. Thanks again, Ed