No idiot light?
Thread Starter
|
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
No idiot light?
My F-250 left me stranded last night. The failure in this case seems to be the alternator.
Now, here is where I am puzzled. I always imagined that you'd get a battery light in the cluster when your alternator failed. Not me. My first clue was a LOW BATTERY message on the factory radio face, as it turned off. This was followed quickly by an ABS light, then all functions of the cluster stopped. 5 miles later, the truck no longer wanted to run.
Shouldn't I have gotten a warning light sooner?
Now, here is where I am puzzled. I always imagined that you'd get a battery light in the cluster when your alternator failed. Not me. My first clue was a LOW BATTERY message on the factory radio face, as it turned off. This was followed quickly by an ABS light, then all functions of the cluster stopped. 5 miles later, the truck no longer wanted to run.
Shouldn't I have gotten a warning light sooner?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 47
Probably 4 years ago the three year old battery in my 2011 died - had driven to the store, parked it, wouldn’t start. Didn’t get any warning lights. Maybe they don’t exist anymore. Too lazy to check the manual though.....
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 50
Likes: 1
From: Millersville MD.
My 2007 F250XL has an alternator go bad. I got a dim battery dash light that seemed to flicker on and off so I guess the alt was just starting to go bad. Replaced the alt immediately and good to go.
2006 F550 XL had an alternator go bad. Bright dash battery light and soon no power. Replaced the alt and good to go.
Yes, you should have had an idiot light.
2006 F550 XL had an alternator go bad. Bright dash battery light and soon no power. Replaced the alt and good to go.
Yes, you should have had an idiot light.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
The regulator is connected to the light. When the alt isnt turning the regulator output to the light is grounded.so the light is on because the other side of the bulb is at 12v.. when the alt is charging you have 12v on both sides of the bulb thus the bulb isnt lit.
If the failure has anything to do with a bad wire to the regulator or an internal reg problem the light may not light .Usually the light had to be good or no charging. newer trucks who knows what fords better idea is. I know the diesels alts are computer controlled..
If the failure has anything to do with a bad wire to the regulator or an internal reg problem the light may not light .Usually the light had to be good or no charging. newer trucks who knows what fords better idea is. I know the diesels alts are computer controlled..
Trending Topics
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,495
Likes: 7
From: Not as far west as I want
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 22
From: very South Texas
more common today.. then years past...
computer circuits are not the equal of analog circuits... self exciting alternators.. are not as easy to monitor..
years ago 63 amp was the largest under the hood... now 150 is common.. so the monitors are greatly different...
voltage drop monitors are not practical
Very sorry of your Truck issues..
years ago.. I installed an under dash analog volt meter.. in my 2012... but that's me... ( Analog )
computer circuits are not the equal of analog circuits... self exciting alternators.. are not as easy to monitor..
years ago 63 amp was the largest under the hood... now 150 is common.. so the monitors are greatly different...
voltage drop monitors are not practical
Very sorry of your Truck issues..
years ago.. I installed an under dash analog volt meter.. in my 2012... but that's me... ( Analog )
Thread Starter
|
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
Yes, the battery idiot light does come on when the key is turned on, in the self test mode prior to starting.
No, it isn't a wiring or battery problem. It is the alternator.
In years past, you would buy a rebuild kit to repair. These days I am not sure the rebuild kits are even available.
EDIT: I take that back. There are still rebuild kits available oonline.
No, it isn't a wiring or battery problem. It is the alternator.
In years past, you would buy a rebuild kit to repair. These days I am not sure the rebuild kits are even available.
EDIT: I take that back. There are still rebuild kits available oonline.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 2
From: SW ON, Canada
The regulator is connected to the light. When the alt isnt turning the regulator output to the light is grounded.so the light is on because the other side of the bulb is at 12v.. when the alt is charging you have 12v on both sides of the bulb thus the bulb isnt lit.
If the failure has anything to do with a bad wire to the regulator or an internal reg problem the light may not light .Usually the light had to be good or no charging. newer trucks who knows what fords better idea is. I know the diesels alts are computer controlled..
If the failure has anything to do with a bad wire to the regulator or an internal reg problem the light may not light .Usually the light had to be good or no charging. newer trucks who knows what fords better idea is. I know the diesels alts are computer controlled..
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post