Intermittent battery light
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2013
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Intermittent battery light
2004 f350 w 125000 miles.
I had diagnostic done at Autozone and no problems from check or OBD. The battery light has been coming on for a few minutes then going off at random intervals. Today I was towing trailer and quads, around 3500 lbs, to go riding and it was on most of the time running on interstate and highways.
Seems like the serpentine belt doesn't have as much tension as I would expect.
Any ideas?
Is there an easy way to change the serpentine? That looks to be a real pita.
I had diagnostic done at Autozone and no problems from check or OBD. The battery light has been coming on for a few minutes then going off at random intervals. Today I was towing trailer and quads, around 3500 lbs, to go riding and it was on most of the time running on interstate and highways.
Seems like the serpentine belt doesn't have as much tension as I would expect.
Any ideas?
Is there an easy way to change the serpentine? That looks to be a real pita.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 22
From: very South Texas
not likely...
if low tension... first to slip would be power steering. followed by A/C then water pump.... alternator is LOW on the power needed to turn.
if original belt.. replace it... same with idlers pulleys ..
bad alternator, or bad/dirty battery connections... bad ground wire or connections.
if the battery lights was NOT "ON" at autozone.. they would NOT see a problem...
remove alternator.. and have a proper test done on it.
if low tension... first to slip would be power steering. followed by A/C then water pump.... alternator is LOW on the power needed to turn.
if original belt.. replace it... same with idlers pulleys ..
bad alternator, or bad/dirty battery connections... bad ground wire or connections.
if the battery lights was NOT "ON" at autozone.. they would NOT see a problem...
remove alternator.. and have a proper test done on it.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,472
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From: Southern Cal
My first alternator lasted only 85k and if your's is original, probably time to change out.
The brushes start to fail, especially after warming up and become a bit temperamental.
That random light is probably a good sign of it failing, keeping in mind, your truck will drive for a while off the battery charge.
The brushes start to fail, especially after warming up and become a bit temperamental.
That random light is probably a good sign of it failing, keeping in mind, your truck will drive for a while off the battery charge.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
Probably not the belt, but worth changing when you have it off to replace the alternator, which is your likely culprit. I'd start by having the alternator tested and replace if needed.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,472
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From: Southern Cal
Pretty easy to remove. I just use a long 1/2" torque wrench to access the tensioner receiver. Once in place, not much to retract the tensioner to allow room to remove the belt. It's a lot easier when you have a helper to pull the belt off when you loosen it up.
Most engines have a belt position diagram under the hood. If not, take a good mental picture first.
Most engines have a belt position diagram under the hood. If not, take a good mental picture first.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 323
Likes: 12
From: Tulare, CA
Probably not of much help to you but years ago I had a Caddy where the battery light would randomly flicker at times while driving. I had the alt checked while still on the car was told everything checked out OK. Then battery light stayed on. Went to replace the Alternator and when I went to remove the nut for the power feed cable that powers the car I found that the stud for it was burnt through at the alternator. The wire pretty much stayed in place and everything looked OK but when driving the stud would make & break contact making the light flicker. Just a thought.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 614
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Pretty easy to remove. I just use a long 1/2" torque wrench to access the tensioner receiver. Once in place, not much to retract the tensioner to allow room to remove the belt. It's a lot easier when you have a helper to pull the belt off when you loosen it up.
Most engines have a belt position diagram under the hood. If not, take a good mental picture first.
Most engines have a belt position diagram under the hood. If not, take a good mental picture first.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Kent Station, WA
Knowing which Engine you have is the key to solving this. Please add to your signature for future reference as well.
I would also clean the terminals on the battery and have the battery load tested at the local parts house.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2013
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@frizzen
Knowing which Engine you have is the key to solving this. Please add to your signature for future reference as well.
I would also clean the terminals on the battery and have the battery load tested at the local parts house.
Knowing which Engine you have is the key to solving this. Please add to your signature for future reference as well.
I would also clean the terminals on the battery and have the battery load tested at the local parts house.
The engine is the 6.0. Battery's have been tested and are good as expected since they are less than a year old. The in place test didn't show any problems but it wouldn't be the first time I've had a bad alternator pass the in vehichle test. I'm going to swap the alternator out and see if that takes care of the problem. Some of the replies indicate that I've gotten about as much as can be expected from the original.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 85
From: Kent Station, WA
I believe some 6.0l guys have recommended the Leece Neville alternator, check there section to confirm though. There is also some ground wire recommendations for the engines and charging system too.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 614
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Check inside of belt for how clean it is
Check if tensioner is still putting enough tension on the belt
Check wiring both positive and negative wiring, that connectors are still good [good connection to the wire, as well as tight on the alternator, battery and chassis/engine]
Check if tensioner is still putting enough tension on the belt
Check wiring both positive and negative wiring, that connectors are still good [good connection to the wire, as well as tight on the alternator, battery and chassis/engine]
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 85
From: Kent Station, WA
Do you have Scangauge or anything monitoring?
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 2
From: Southern Cal
Check inside of belt for how clean it is
Check if tensioner is still putting enough tension on the belt
Check wiring both positive and negative wiring, that connectors are still good [good connection to the wire, as well as tight on the alternator, battery and chassis/engine]
Check if tensioner is still putting enough tension on the belt
Check wiring both positive and negative wiring, that connectors are still good [good connection to the wire, as well as tight on the alternator, battery and chassis/engine]