Alternator HELP!
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Round Lake, IL
Alternator HELP!
I was on my way to Indiana last night and got 5 miles down the highway. Almost all at once the wipers started slowly moving across the windshield, lost all gauges except speed and tach, ABS light came on, low fuel level light came on (I had just come from filling up at the gas station), and seatbelt light came on. Lost all electronics and electrical power to the truck. I managed to get the truck to the side of the highway and got it towed home last night. Basically, I'm chalking it up to losing the alternator. I pulled the batteries when I got home and got them charging. I need to get down to Indiana today which means replacing the alternator today. Does anyone know where I can get a NEW (not reman) alternator that pumps out more than 110 A? Everywhere I look, all I can find are these stupid 110A alternator that seems a little underpowered for the truck. Any help y'all can provide would be clutch. Thanks in advance!
Zak
Zak
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Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Douglassville, PA
Did you test your batteries? And I'd test the alternator before I just threw a new one in, it's easy enough to check the voltage at the battery while it's running. You should see mid 13's to 14V or so. Wipers were on? Do you have a windshield leak? Check for moisture around the fusebox.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 400
Likes: 68
From: Eastern shore, MD
From a part store counter / in stock you're probably looking at 110A...
Check out this thread from @F350-6 on converting the 140A 6.0 alternator to the 7.3 ...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...lternator.html
Check out this thread from @F350-6 on converting the 140A 6.0 alternator to the 7.3 ...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...lternator.html
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Round Lake, IL
Thanks for the responses! @MD_7.three The wipers were off and randomly came on. I do not have a windshield leak either. The batteries are brand new, 2 weeks old. While running, the voltage was sitting at 11.9V with everything off. Radio, A/C, heat, lights, all of it off.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 400
Likes: 68
From: Eastern shore, MD
The question about the wipers/windshield leak is that there's a common leak in the lower left corner of the windsheild that causes water to get behind the dash on the GEM (in the fuse box area) and can cause all types of electrical gremlins...if they started up out of nowhere that would suggest to me it may be an issue
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Round Lake, IL
I checked, no moisture on or near the fuse box. Murphy's Law is in effect with this truck though so it wouldn't surprise me.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Douglassville, PA
With your voltage there while running I'd say you've got it diagnosed. With the larger alternator you have two routes for mounting. You can grind the bracket down a little to accommodate the larger diameter or you can use two flat washers under the alternator to raise it up above the bracket, I used to latter method.
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