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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Alternator not charging!

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Old Jul 3, 2016 | 12:57 PM
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Alternator not charging!

1995 f-150 5.0. Not charging. Had the alternator tested and its good. One thing I did recently was switch the gauge cluster with my 97 to put the tachometer in the 97.

I read that the gauge cluster swap didn't affect anything but when searching for alternator issues some say that does matter. It's not a huge deal to switch them back. Just wondering what you guys think!
 
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Old Jul 3, 2016 | 02:02 PM
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If the dash idiot light is'nt working it wont charge.
 
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Old Jul 3, 2016 | 02:05 PM
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There were a lot of changes with the clusters through the years, especially in regards to the alternator charge light wiring (which must work for the alternator to charge the battery). However, the components inside the clusters are modular.

You can take the tachometer and temp/fuel/oil gauge modules out of the '97 cluster and put them into your '95, and it will all work. That will be your best option, and it only takes a few minutes to swap the things around.
 
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Old Jul 3, 2016 | 05:03 PM
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Your cluster swap is the problem. I believe that compatible years are 92-93, 94-95, & 96-97. Mixing 92 and 94 or 97 and 95, etc won't work without rewireing the dash harness. I tried to rewire the printed circuit and just destroyed it.
 
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Old Jul 3, 2016 | 07:43 PM
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Ok so I switched the clusters back and same thing. No charging. Charged up battery and seem a little weak, only about 11.2-11.4 volts. Start the truck and check voltage at battery, charge cable, and starter solenoid and all are same voltage. Pull positive cable off and truck will die.
 
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Old Jul 3, 2016 | 08:29 PM
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Does the battery light in the cluster turn on with the key in the run position and the engine off?
 
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Old Jul 3, 2016 | 10:46 PM
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Check the connector behind battery on tray. Green wire.
 
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Old Jul 4, 2016 | 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by mrollings53
Does the battery light in the cluster turn on with the key in the run position and the engine off?

NO it does not light up!
 
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Old Jul 4, 2016 | 10:59 AM
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The 1994, 1995, 1996 & 1997 clusters are wired the same as far as the battery charging goes.

So the cluster is not your problem. All four years use C250 pins 1 & 14.


/
 
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Old Jul 4, 2016 | 11:15 AM
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The big picture:


/
 
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Old Jul 4, 2016 | 11:22 AM
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I know it sounds stupid but did you check the fuse?

Maybe you inadvertently grounded the pin while swapping parts?

Idk abt yours, but my bricknose cluster has a resistor across the charge lamp circuit, so the truck will continue to charge even if the bulb burns out.

You cant use an led for that indicator on some older trucks.
 
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Old Jul 4, 2016 | 11:30 AM
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He needs to check to see if he has power at the generator on the light green wire with a red stripe with the key on.

If so then check the yellow wire with a white stripe to see if the fuse link is OK.
 
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Old Jul 4, 2016 | 11:37 AM
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I understand the 'sense' wire.

Wouldn't the light still come on koeo, even if the sense was isolated?
 
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Old Jul 4, 2016 | 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Sdowdle541
Ok so I switched the clusters back and same thing. No charging. Charged up battery and seem a little weak, only about 11.2-11.4 volts. Start the truck and check voltage at battery, charge cable, and starter solenoid and all are same voltage. Pull positive cable off and truck will die.
Two possibilities left, the battery has lost a cell or the alternator is bad despite what the parts store bench test says. What voltage does the battery generate before it is connected to the truck? If you only get 11v then it's done time for a new one, but if it's a solid 12v-12.5v and that drops to ~11v when connected something in the truck is pulling it down and the most likely culprit is a bad rectifier or voltage regulator inside the alternator. Those parts store Alt bench tests are notoriously unreliable I have seen them produce false results first hand.
 
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Old Jul 4, 2016 | 11:54 AM
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From: Sugar Land, Tx
Originally Posted by subford
He needs to check to see if he has power at the generator on the light green wire with a red stripe with the key on.

If so then check the yellow wire with a white stripe to see if the fuse link is OK.


Green with red does not have voltage with key on but not running!
 
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