Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

blinking idiot light

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 22, 2015 | 05:52 PM
  #1  
bert cook's Avatar
bert cook
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
From: forks
blinking idiot light

i have an 81 f100 with idiot lights.and just noticed that the little battery pic was blinking at me.but when i turn on any thing electrical it stops blinking and goes dark like it should.
 
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2015 | 11:07 AM
  #2  
bcamill's Avatar
bcamill
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: AZ
Check battery with the truck running. This will tell you what the alternator is putting out. 14 or higher is good.
 
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2015 | 06:48 PM
  #3  
ArdWrknTrk's Avatar
ArdWrknTrk
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 38
From: EXTREME southwest CT
Club FTE Silver Member

Exciter current to the alternator passes through the idiot light when the key is first turned to run.
When the engine is started and the alternator is turning out power, voltage should be equal on both sides of the filament and the light goes out.
If it takes a load to cause the alternator to start charging I would suspect the regulator first.
 
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2015 | 11:05 PM
  #4  
bert cook's Avatar
bert cook
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
From: forks
i hope its not the reg it dont have 4days on it
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2015 | 06:55 AM
  #5  
ArdWrknTrk's Avatar
ArdWrknTrk
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 38
From: EXTREME southwest CT
Club FTE Silver Member

Did you replace the regulator *because* the light was flickering?

Is the alternator original to the truck?
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2015 | 12:46 PM
  #6  
Dorsai's Avatar
Dorsai
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 924
Likes: 4
From: Johns Creek GA
Originally Posted by bert cook
i hope its not the reg it dont have 4days on it
What brand regulator did you put in?

I ask because when I replaced the alternator and voltage regulator on my 1980, I had some weird behavior with my idiot light as well...and it didn't go away until I replaced the NAPA Echlin regulator with a proper Motorcraft one.
 
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2026 | 05:21 PM
  #7  
fatheroftwo's Avatar
fatheroftwo
More Turbo
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 530
Likes: 38
Just found this post, did you get the issue figured out? My truck has a "SEARS" volt. reg.
I wonder how long ago they quit making them.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
2danglong
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
15
Mar 2, 2011 01:32 PM
bagpype
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Nov 25, 2010 06:41 AM
dober
1997 - 2003 F150
4
Apr 10, 2010 09:02 PM
duden123
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
20
Sep 10, 2006 12:32 PM
mchild
Electrical Systems/Wiring
2
Sep 29, 2002 01:29 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:58 AM.

story-0
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE