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1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Bumpsides Ford Truck

Alternator Light Perpetually

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Old Oct 24, 2015 | 09:33 PM
  #16  
CougarJohn's Avatar
CougarJohn
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From: Cupertino
Excellent writeup above, WR. It is all there.
OP, read and heed. Check wiring. If you hit a wall, come on back in. You have a voltmeter and we will tell you how to seek out the problem.
 
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Old Oct 25, 2015 | 01:50 PM
  #17  
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wrhinehart
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Cougar..
I LOVE these old trucks and I LOVE this place.
Only happy to pitch in.
 
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Old Oct 26, 2015 | 03:27 PM
  #18  
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TeachNlive4ever
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From: Garland, Tx
Auto electric wears me out! I got a headache reading that. Note to self: Go to wrhineherts house for electrical...
 
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Old Oct 26, 2015 | 04:02 PM
  #19  
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and the beat goes on....
checked the alternator wires, put another spacer in and nothing's touching anything ..belt is new and tightened...
read through the schematic and all wires are in the correct place/order/connector
tried again...still stays on (the alt light in the cab)

I'm going to change the pigtails on the regulator as soon as they get here just to be sure and I checked that they were connected correctly...



so where would I go next? following it back I assume....but seems that all under the hood looks correct and "clean"...
 
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Old Oct 26, 2015 | 04:28 PM
  #20  
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lol....you think YOU have a headache Troll?! Ugh! It's MY truck with the issue....lol.
 
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Old Oct 26, 2015 | 04:41 PM
  #21  
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TeachNlive4ever
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From: Garland, Tx
I savy cowboy. Go have the alt. checked. just because its new, doesn't mean it's good.
 
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Old Oct 26, 2015 | 06:22 PM
  #22  
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CougarJohn
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From: Cupertino
Chaz, we are getting close.
Pull a tickler wire off the field. Briefly touch it to the + side of the battery.
If all wiring is correct, one of two things will happen:
1) It starts charging. Bad alternator.
2) It does not start charging. Bad regulator.

Never assume new stuff is good. So much China junk.
 
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Old Oct 26, 2015 | 08:22 PM
  #23  
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o.k. will do in the morning...just to be correct the "tickler wire" is off the alternator field?
i'm thinking regulator because this is the second alternator...

and i want to change the pigtails that go on the regulator too while i'm at it...and i'll check where those two come out of the harness to make sure they're o.k. it could be that plug too....hhhmmmm

persistence is free and it usually pays off...
thanks for the next step...i'll keep posting....
 
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Old Oct 27, 2015 | 09:44 AM
  #24  
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CougarJohn
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From: Cupertino
Chaz, the tickler is off the Field terminal. Not Alternator, Field. "F". Here is the idea:
Field voltage comes from the regulator which senses battery voltage. If the battery is low, the regulator sends more current through field windings, increasing output.
When you put full voltage to the field, you override the regulator. Output will jump to the max
Put the engine at fast idle and do it briefly. You can have wifey sit in the cab and holler if the light goes out.
 
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Old Oct 27, 2015 | 04:56 PM
  #25  
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wrhinehart
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From: Pocahontas, Iowa.
Originally Posted by CougarJohn
Chaz, the tickler is off the Field terminal. Not Alternator, Field. "F". Here is the idea:
Field voltage comes from the regulator which senses battery voltage. If the battery is low, the regulator sends more current through field windings, increasing output.
When you put full voltage to the field, you override the regulator. Output will jump to the max
Put the engine at fast idle and do it briefly. You can have wifey sit in the cab and holler if the light goes out.
^^^
What he said.

By tickler wire (Jumper) he means a wire from the positive side of the battery to connect to the "F" post with the engine running.
First though, you need to pull the wire from the regulator to the
"F" post ... Pull it off the post.
Pull it off the alternator. Tape it up so it doesn't hit anything.

Be careful with the Jumper wire as it's direct from the battery +.
Be very careful here.
 
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Old Oct 27, 2015 | 08:33 PM
  #26  
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i am "the wifey"....lol.....

i get the tickler part was just making sure it was from the alternator field...

i'm thinking now it's in the wires of the regulator..beings it's (also) the second regulator i put in...the wires come out of the harness as 2 pigtails...

but i'm gonna try it like you said...as soon as it stops raining... again...
what I wouldn't give for a garage!

also I think maybe the pigtails are shot, corroded, or whatever...they should be here tomorrow too...

i so appreciate you guys helping me with this! like when I rode a bike. other riders always would help me out if i needed it.

guess that's what really makes the ride...
 
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Old Oct 27, 2015 | 09:04 PM
  #27  
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wrhinehart
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From: Pocahontas, Iowa.
It's EASY to re-wire.
I wish I was there...I'd be happy to fix it for you.

Maybe make me a nice dinner afterward where we could all laugh about it?



I like Pigtails
 
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Old Oct 28, 2015 | 11:44 AM
  #28  
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68fish
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Originally Posted by wrhinehart
Maybe make me a nice dinner afterward where we could all laugh about it?



I like Pigtails
Careful
 
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Old Oct 28, 2015 | 03:12 PM
  #29  
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TeachNlive4ever
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Chaz, are those YOUR stems hanging off that creeper?
 
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Old Oct 29, 2015 | 04:06 PM
  #30  
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wrhinehart
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From: Pocahontas, Iowa.
Originally Posted by TeachNlive4ever
Chaz, are those YOUR stems hanging off that creeper?
My question exactly.
If they are, Good Lord.. Perfect.

 
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