Greetings all,
I am a new member of the forums.

Recently, I purchased a 2000 E450 with a 7.3 Powerstroke as a rolling shop.

After I purchased it, I decided to give it a good clean, and DOH! sprayed out the interior with a pressure washer (I know better, just got caught up in the new rolling workshop). All was fine initially, now run into a couple of problems, may or not be related:

1. Alternator will not output any voltage
2. No warning indicators, signal or high beam indicators

Here are my details, forgive the long windiness, I just want to have as much detail available for troubleshooting.
Starting with the simpler, I hope of the two, here we go:

Warning Indicators
Indicators currently do not work, to best of my recollection:

• airbag
• battery
• brake
• abs
• high beam
• left signal
• right signal
• seatbelt?

If I recall correctly, service engine light does illuminate.
Engine coolant temp gauge does not work, believe to be unrelated, so changed sensor today.


Fuse #2 has been checked, showed continuity, but not changed out.


Alternator
As my voltage indicator illustrates a constant drain, I checked the alternator.

• alternator + to ground showed battery voltage, indicating a alternator problem
• replaced alternator, same as above
• replaced alternator #2, same as above

Checks (multimeter)

• continuity from alternator positive to bus bar, indicating that this wire is good
• ASI - I to ground. Shows battery voltage both when key is on, and when key is off

At this stage, I assume that alternator is fine and that exciter wire (I) is the problem. As this wire, as I can tell, is series with the battery warning indicator light, which is currently not functioning therefore "no indicator light = no power to exciter".



Plans are to troubleshoot with the following steps:

1. remove and replace fuse #2
2. check for continuity between fuse box to panel
3. ?
4. ?
5. directly wire exciter to battery to see if alternator will then generate voltage?
6. ?

A few questions:

1. Why does multimeter show battery voltage being the same to the exciter wire (I to battery/ground) regardless to whether key is in on or off position? Have I misread something here, as it does not make sense?
2. Is there a separate connector for the warning indicator lights from the rest of the dash?
3. How can I remove the fuse panel to fully examine/clean/etc?
4. Assuming I may have a short due to my short sightedness, and as I have left a few steps blank, any suggestions on how to proceed?
5. Should I move immediately to jumping (I) to ground so see if alternator will then generate voltage?
6. When shall I admit defeat and take it to a shop?

Thanks in advance, there has been alot of head scratching and I need to get the rig up and rolling for a job early next week?

 

Welcome aboard, bump this to the top for you.