Notices
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

Dumb battery light

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 14, 2019 | 05:35 PM
  #1  
Pest007's Avatar
Pest007
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 472
Likes: 4
From: Goodyear, AZ
Dumb battery light

So I just noticed I have the dreaded battery light come on the truck this afternoon... I tested voltage, and batteries are good at 12.7v with key off, and I start the truck, and voltage jumps up to 13.3-13.6. The voltage doesn't appear to change drastically with engine RPM or load, but the battery light does glow brighter with higher RPMs...

I assume it is the alternator as the batteries are Interstate batteries that are maybe a year old, and I have the extra heavy duty battery cables running from the Alternator to batteries.

Is there anything else I can test to verify? I'm pretty sure it's the wimpy 110amp one, so I figured now is a good time to invest in 140 with a pulley...
 
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2019 | 09:40 PM
  #2  
dmitrysgarage's Avatar
dmitrysgarage
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
If you have a scan tool I'd look at all the voltages and DTCs to see what the PCM thinks the voltage is for everything.
 
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2019 | 10:38 PM
  #3  
Pest007's Avatar
Pest007
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 472
Likes: 4
From: Goodyear, AZ
FICM voltage still showed 48v and battery voltage showed 12.6-13v after I started it. I don't usually trust the scan voltage since it seems to differ so much more than anything else.
 
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2019 | 10:41 PM
  #4  
TooManyToys.'s Avatar
TooManyToys.
Hotshot
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17,834
Likes: 3,125
From: Jersey Shore
You might want to set your voltmeter to read AC across the positive post and case when its running, you might have a bad diode that causing a ripple.
 
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2019 | 10:45 PM
  #5  
dmitrysgarage's Avatar
dmitrysgarage
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Pest007
FICM voltage still showed 48v and battery voltage showed 12.6-13v after I started it. I don't usually trust the scan voltage since it seems to differ so much more than anything else.
Scan voltages may differ from your volt meter, but I'm assuming the PCM is setting the light, so it knows what it knows, which is what the scan gage knows. That's why I was suggesting it. Also @TooManyToys idea is good, I'd test that next.
 
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2019 | 10:46 PM
  #6  
Pest007's Avatar
Pest007
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 472
Likes: 4
From: Goodyear, AZ
Thanks Jack, I'll give that a shot.
I have a buddy who has a spare that I might swap out and see if it works... I want to upgrade to a 140amp alternator anyways, but the problem I have is do I order one (bocsh or Denso) or do I get one from Autozone (since it probably would be easier to warranty if any issues come back)
 
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2019 | 06:19 AM
  #7  
TooManyToys.'s Avatar
TooManyToys.
Hotshot
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17,834
Likes: 3,125
From: Jersey Shore
The light illuminates due to a voltage differential across the bulb, nothing more. DC or AC. PCM not involved.

Heres someone’s quick vid. It can be off the battery too, I just normally have done it off the source. Check both hot or cold, or whenever the light is on.

 
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2019 | 09:39 AM
  #8  
Fuzzpuss's Avatar
Fuzzpuss
Cargo Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 941
From: Fort Worth, TX
Originally Posted by Pest007
Is there anything else I can test to verify? I'm pretty sure it's the wimpy 110amp one, so I figured now is a good time to invest in 140 with a pulley...
If you do go with a 140amp, ignore all the posts of old that gush over the Bosch AL7606N. They fail regularly and Bosch doesn't list them for our trucks anymore, and so doesn't warranty them if put in an F250 or F350.

Don't ask me how I know.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Jun 15, 2019 | 11:48 AM
  #9  
Pest007's Avatar
Pest007
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 472
Likes: 4
From: Goodyear, AZ
Checked with AC and I was getting 55-75 mV so it appears to be a diode problem

Thanks for all the input and quick responses!
 
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2019 | 06:36 PM
  #10  
Pest007's Avatar
Pest007
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 472
Likes: 4
From: Goodyear, AZ
Swapped out the Alternator and all is back to normal... went with 140amp and noticed slightly higher voltages as well, so the old one was probably on it's was out.

Does anyone have a link on amazon or somewhere that I can get the smaller belt pulley for it?
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ford_muddbilly81
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
12
Sep 21, 2016 06:42 AM
andym
Excursion - King of SUVs
9
May 19, 2015 07:37 PM
bruno2
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Apr 27, 2015 08:28 PM
caere
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
8
Jul 14, 2010 11:48 PM
brf2
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
1
Dec 16, 2006 10:56 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:11 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE