Charging issue

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Nov 27, 2013 | 11:36 PM

proudtruck

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 93

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From: PEARSALL,TX

Charging issue

wondering if anyone had this issue before for some reason my battery light flickers when im driving regular and on the highway. I have had both batteries checked and they were at 50 percent charge and both were good so therefore I assumed it was my alternator. I removed alternator had it check and it passed all test. Everything was checked at o'reilly and autozone

Nov 28, 2013 | 12:17 AM

ATV PRO #11

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 1,545

Likes: 3

From: N.E. of WinterPeg

At 50% charge, and a flickering light I would have to assume a short somewhere.
With batteries and alt checking out 100%.

Nov 28, 2013 | 06:42 AM

senix

Super Moderator

Joined: Aug 2008

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From: Frederick, MD

Check the connections on the alternator.

Nov 28, 2013 | 07:43 AM

madsonp

Moderator

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 2,814

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From: Billings, Montana

I'd say it's the alternator, even though you had it checked, their test aren't always accurate. If there's not enough of a load applied to the alternator when tested it can test good even though its bad.

Nov 28, 2013 | 08:48 AM

senix

Super Moderator

Joined: Aug 2008

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From: Frederick, MD

In order to accurately test a alternator you need to pull it and bench test it.

Dec 13, 2013 | 10:39 PM

JNG6

Mountain Pass

Joined: Dec 2012

Posts: 211

Likes: 3

From: Aurora, Colorado

Proudtruck.....Did you solve your flickering battery light issue? I have the same problem. My batteries are good, ground wires seem good but I plan on pulling them and cleaning the connection as soon as I have time to be sure and wires connected to alternator are in good condition and are tight. Have not tested the alternator yet but I have a voltage gauge and it shows the same level whether the battery light is on or not. Even after sitting all night in 20 degree weather it starts like a champ. A short somewhere seems the most likely cause but I have no idea where to even start looking.....

Dec 14, 2013 | 12:17 AM

99f350sd

Lead Driver

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 9,303

Likes: 48

From: Lyndonville, Vermont

The regulator has the circuitry that controls the light...Sometimes it goes bad ..Usually its worn brushes or armature. Regulator and brush kits are cheap on ebay and a snap to put in.
Voltages are supposed to be 12.5 battery fully charged./.14.5 volts engine running.

Dick

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Dec 20, 2013 | 06:16 PM

JNG6

Mountain Pass

Joined: Dec 2012

Posts: 211

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From: Aurora, Colorado

Just a little follow up for those that might visit this thread down the road. My intermittent battery light turned out to be the voltage regulator inside the alternator. Although my dash gauge stayed pretty steady (at first anyway) I found that my alternator was putting out between 10 and 13 volts. There was no pattern to how many volts it was putting out. Over a week or two of driving with no issues and strong starts (even in cold weather) the alternator slowly died and left me needing a jump. I replaced the alternator and light has stayed off and I haven't had any other issues. I guess I was lucky to have good batteries that carried me through the low voltage periods when the light came on while driving.