Alternator pooched?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 132
Likes: 5
Alternator pooched?
Hey all, I hope you are hanging in there. Quick question re my 1998 Ford F-150, 4.6. Turn the key and hear a very fast 'click-click-click-click-click-click'. Gauges go screwy when key is all way forward. Tell-tale signs of faulty alternator? Could it be starter?
Any help is hugely appreciated.
Any help is hugely appreciated.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
How old is the battery? 2 years? 5 years? This is always the first thing to check.
Can measure the voltage across the posts but without a load on the battery it won't tell you if the battery is serviceable. It is very common for batteries to to measure 12+ volts at rest, though puke when the current demand is high. Turn the headlights on HI, are they nice and bright?
Turn heater fan, and then measure. Or better take the battery to AutoZone or someplace like that and have it load tested.
If the battery checks out OK then clean and inspect battery and ground cables to block etc and tighten securely. Then measure the charging system voltages for alternator operation.
Can measure the voltage across the posts but without a load on the battery it won't tell you if the battery is serviceable. It is very common for batteries to to measure 12+ volts at rest, though puke when the current demand is high. Turn the headlights on HI, are they nice and bright?
Turn heater fan, and then measure. Or better take the battery to AutoZone or someplace like that and have it load tested.
If the battery checks out OK then clean and inspect battery and ground cables to block etc and tighten securely. Then measure the charging system voltages for alternator operation.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 132
Likes: 5
Got a boost and it seems to be running ok. I'm pretty sure it's the battery. I'll check later with the meter (I'm new to using volt meter....looked on youtube for help with regard to proper usage/correct readings). Learning curve! Thanks for the help.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
The click is the start solenoid releasing then re-operating because the voltage drops when the starter connects.
Very first thing is clean the battery cable connections, then address the battery capacity, then the charging system in that order.
Good luck..
Very first thing is clean the battery cable connections, then address the battery capacity, then the charging system in that order.
Good luck..
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