Charging system an cooling system upgrades
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Otego NY
Charging system an cooling system upgrades
This weekend was our first big snow this year an the first time I've gotten to really plow with this truck. I found out the charging system cant seem to keep up when running headlights, rotary caution lights, heater on high, an the plow. The volt meter never got over 10 volts. The alt is only a year or two old an I have 3 good batteries on it. Any charging up grade suggestions would be very helpful.
Also wile pulling a long hill the truck over heated. The radiator is only 3 years old, an the heat in the cab is awesome, so I don't think there is any blockages. Oh, wile on this thought the temp gauge doesn't work, any thoughts?
Thanks very much.
Also wile pulling a long hill the truck over heated. The radiator is only 3 years old, an the heat in the cab is awesome, so I don't think there is any blockages. Oh, wile on this thought the temp gauge doesn't work, any thoughts?
Thanks very much.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,221
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The 3G alternator is a popular upgrade for the charging system:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post12999090
Cooling system in these trucks is pretty good, yours might need to be serviced. Also check to make sure your fan clutch is good.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post12999090
Cooling system in these trucks is pretty good, yours might need to be serviced. Also check to make sure your fan clutch is good.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,221
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As to the temp gauge, check here to see the sensor location, then check that your wire is hooked up. If it is, disconnect it and ground it. Then turn on your ignition, if the gauge climbs and pegs on the hot side then your sensor is bad, replace it. If the gauge doesn't move then there's either a problem with the gauge itself or the wire between the sensor and the gauge.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2011
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Honestly? Get yourself a pair of thin wires, run it right to the battery, and set yourself up with a real voltmeter. The wiring in these trucks is ****, and high loads can easily draw down the voltage inside, even with the voltage at the batteries a good 14V.
My own alternator is about a 100A one, which seems stock... and at anything over idle it does great.
Do make sure the voltage regulator is well-grounded(it's that black box with a 4-prong connector on the passenger's side wheel well), or things don't work quite right.
My own alternator is about a 100A one, which seems stock... and at anything over idle it does great.
Do make sure the voltage regulator is well-grounded(it's that black box with a 4-prong connector on the passenger's side wheel well), or things don't work quite right.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
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do you all ready got serpentine, if not use this swap pulys an add a bushing
Ultima® 01-3784 - Alternator | O'Reilly Auto Parts
if you got the newer bracket an serpentine, you might like this one
Ultima® 01-3708 - Alternator | O'Reilly Auto Parts
Ultima® 01-3784 - Alternator | O'Reilly Auto Parts
if you got the newer bracket an serpentine, you might like this one
Ultima® 01-3708 - Alternator | O'Reilly Auto Parts
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Mi'kma'ki
+1 for the 3G upgrade.do this asap.
1mouse,he doesn't.only mid year of '92-94 idi's got the serp.with this also came the 3g alt.
she overheated as in boiled over and clearly started steaming and the whole works beersy, or your gauges just said she was getting too warm?
1mouse,he doesn't.only mid year of '92-94 idi's got the serp.with this also came the 3g alt.
she overheated as in boiled over and clearly started steaming and the whole works beersy, or your gauges just said she was getting too warm?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Otego NY
wow, thanks. I'm going to be busey this weekend looking into all of that. I think I have a 3G alt laying around. Ill have to find it an be sure. Thanks again an the links with the pics is a great help.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Otego NY
I did, I know the plow blocks a lot of fresh air, but I think part of the issue was that the hill was not plowed at all so I had to pull it in 4 wheel in 2nd gear. My front drive axel makes a ticking noise when locked in, so I go pretty slow so I don't plow it up.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Mi'kma'ki
192F under no load.running empty. any colder,then your not running the proper motorcraft #RT1049 t-stat,or it's failing - 240F max you should ever let her read.pulling large hills while loaded and or towing heavy.most prefer not to push the limits this high,but you won't hurt it any here.this is warm.after 230F watch the gauge like a hawk lol.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2011
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I've got a decent gauge in mine, and temps tend to stay between 180-195 when cruising, and 205-210 when under load. I've hit 220 before, under heavy constant accel, but that's about it. And I'm running a stock system, though the rad was replaced about 4 years ago, so it's not clogged.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2013
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I think mine may be running on the cold side. I got the blower fixed but heat output is very light (i.e not warm).
I didnt really trust the gauge but starting to think it may not be that far off. Gets into the "normal" range but at the very bottom.
I had checked hose temps before with an IR thermometer and was seeing 175-180 after the truck had been driving and run a while. Starting to think maybe the t-stat is stuck open.
I didnt really trust the gauge but starting to think it may not be that far off. Gets into the "normal" range but at the very bottom.
I had checked hose temps before with an IR thermometer and was seeing 175-180 after the truck had been driving and run a while. Starting to think maybe the t-stat is stuck open.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Mi'kma'ki
yeah.the t-stat should regulate the minimum coolant temp to 192F.if she's not coming up to that,then something is obviously wrong.these rigs toss out hot air in the cabs due to the 190+ t-stats.it's a nice bonus.
amazon just has it incorrectly listed as a 190.it's correct # and it's 192F.
amazon just has it incorrectly listed as a 190.it's correct # and it's 192F.