Yesterday I noticed my salt. Gauge showing a low charge and the same this morning. So I had the salt. Checked out and it tested bad(voltage regulator). And after putting the new one on(brand new 80amp not reman) and it still does the same thing of barely charging. I did go ahead and replaced both pigtail as they were getting hard. Would the salt be bad also? The motor its on is a 7.5 I did also have the battery checked and its good. It just slowly looses it charge running access. Like the lights,heat and dump bed enough that it dims the lights completely out. The salt. Was 5yrs old too.

 

Check the on & off wire to the alternator from the cluster.
If OK check the fuse links between the alternator and the starter relay battery side.

salt
1: adj. - to describe something unfortunate or unfavorable happening, or one's angered mood.
2: verb - to do something which causes an unfortunate or unfavorable situation.
3: inter. - to express distaste or unhappiness about a situation.

 

subford, not to sound dumb but where would it check the on off wire at the cluster?

 

also, I do have a diesel 7.3 battery cable setup on the truck as I plan on adding dual batteries soon. The positive is extra terminal is sealed/taped up to prevent arching on the radiator support.

 

Check it at the back of the alternator.
It is the light green wire with a red stripe.
Should have on on this wire with the key on.

 

Yes you should have two batteries in it.

Here is the diagram:


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i checked at where i spliced the new connector on on both side on th connector and have no power with the key on.

 

mine originally had one since it is a 460. I plan on doing the dual setup as i plow alot and have a electric dump on it.

 

Then it will not charge.

The wiring from the cluster is about the same, see the diagram below.



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since its not charging there, where do you think I should start now?

 

Check for power at C202 with the key on.
If no power there you will have to pull the cluster and check for power at the plug on the back of the cluster.
The resister may be open and the lamp burned out.

Note also if you replaced the cluster with one from a 1994 or newer Ford Truck the alternator will not charge unless you switch wires in the two plugs on the back of the cluster.

 

i went ahead and checked the cluster before i got to your last post on here and have power on the red/yellow and white/pink wires with the key on. where would 202 be at? Is it a resister under the the dash or it the firewall connector?
and as far as clusters, I believe it is still the original one.

 

It would be the Light Green wires with the red strips at the back of the cluster that you need to check. Pins 11 & 12 of C251.

C202 should be the firewall connector.

 

I have power at #12 at the cluster but nothing at #11. And i cant get to the wire on either side of the firewall connection.

 

With nothing at pin #11 you would have nothing at the firewall either.

You have a bad cluster. As stated above you have a bad resister & bad bulb in the cluster or an open in a trace of the printed circuit of the cluster.