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Alternator issue?

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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 02:27 PM
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jtexfisher
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Alternator issue?

Was out of town Saturday in the pickup ('95 F350 7.3) an hour from the house and the charging "light" (battery symbol) came on. We made it home and I pulled the alternator. Took it to the local parts store, it tested bad, replaced it. All was fine for a short test drive. This morning the light is back and the charge is low. Is there something that could be "eating" alternators? Or maybe got a bad replacement?
 

Last edited by jtexfisher; Apr 6, 2014 at 02:28 PM. Reason: added details
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 05:27 PM
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If the alternator you put on was rebuilt, chances are it went bad. A rebuilt gets just the part that is bad (ie brushes ect.). A remanufactured unit gets completely remanufactured. I would take it back to the place you bought it from, and have them test it.
 
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 06:02 PM
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I have heard people talk about the plug on top of the alternator getting loose from laying over it. I have had a bad replacement alternator have them test the new before you leave the store to make sure.
 
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 08:50 PM
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Could be a bad cable?
 
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Old Apr 7, 2014 | 07:51 AM
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I think all my cables are clean and tight. I give them the once over every oil change. After having to put two batteries on while out of town I got kinda picky about the cables . I'll double check the output wire and both plugs and if all of them are tight I'll pull it today(once it dries out a bit) and run it back for a check. Film at 11. Thanks all!
 
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Old Apr 7, 2014 | 08:59 AM
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Mine does the same thing. I have found the plug on top of the Alt. can become loose and cause the light to come on. While the light is on I still have 13.8V at the battery so it's charging. I made a shim out of a piece of plastic to keep the wires in better contact. 15 min fix
 
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