A new development!
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 106
From: Albuquerque
A new development!
I am starting to think I have an electrical grimlen I just put a new alternator and batteries in my truck!
cruising along today I see I’m sitting at 12 v no Bueno pot nada!
the issue is the large lug I pulled from the alternator and did not disconnect the batteries, should I not get a spark from it?
cruising along today I see I’m sitting at 12 v no Bueno pot nada!
the issue is the large lug I pulled from the alternator and did not disconnect the batteries, should I not get a spark from it?
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 2,907
Likes: 788
From: Kinnula,Finland
You must have blown a fuse or fusible link.
There's 12volts directly from batteries in that lug.
Someone will chime in with some wiring diagrams.
Always unhook batteries when working on electrical system!
(Do as i say,not as i do..)
There's 12volts directly from batteries in that lug.
Someone will chime in with some wiring diagrams.
Always unhook batteries when working on electrical system!
(Do as i say,not as i do..)
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 6,853
Likes: 2,331
From: WV
Yeah, it’s amazing the lengths I’ll go to not disconnect the batteries…
I have a special rubber “boot” to put over the drivers side terminal when leaving the passenger side in.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,346
Likes: 5,941
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
I am starting to think I have an electrical grimlen I just put a new alternator and batteries in my truck!
cruising along today I see I’m sitting at 12 v no Bueno pot nada!
the issue is the large lug I pulled from the alternator and did not disconnect the batteries, should I not get a spark from it?
cruising along today I see I’m sitting at 12 v no Bueno pot nada!
the issue is the large lug I pulled from the alternator and did not disconnect the batteries, should I not get a spark from it?
The positive terminal on the back of the alternator is the B+ terminal. You should have battery voltage there at the very least when off, and charging voltage of 13.5+ volts when on.
Were the mounts clean and allow the alternator to ground itself?
Make sure the connector is inserted 100% and the pins are not pushed back in the connector preventing continuity.
Check the fused links by the passenger battery. They will look like a burnt pop tart if they are blown.
Check your appropriate fuses in the distribution block.
Perhaps the alternator is dead already. ArmyLifer had a Bosch go out on him 2 weeks after installing it recently.
Point is, there are a lot of things to look into before you can point your finger and call it an SOB.
Come back to us with updates.
Jason, would you mind sending me a text picture the next time you put your "boot" to work? I generally use rags with blue painter's tape on the terminals. Thinking now it might be time to "upgrade".
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 106
From: Albuquerque
Are you using "spark" as a means of checking for voltage? You should use a test light or a multimeter, if you have either of those.
I know i said spark, but i tested with my multimeter, I did think my meter was bad and quick touch to the alternator bracket and no spark
The positive terminal on the back of the alternator is the B+ terminal. You should have battery voltage there at the very least when off, and charging voltage of 13.5+ volts when on.
Were the mounts clean and allow the alternator to ground itself?
Make sure the connector is inserted 100% and the pins are not pushed back in the connector preventing continuity.
Check the fused links by the passenger battery. They will look like a burnt pop tart if they are blown.
Check your appropriate fuses in the distribution block.
Perhaps the alternator is dead already. ArmyLifer had a Bosch go out on him 2 weeks after installing it recently.
Point is, there are a lot of things to look into before you can point your finger and call it an SOB.
Come back to us with updates.
Jason, would you mind sending me a text picture the next time you put your "boot" to work? I generally use rags with blue painter's tape on the terminals. Thinking now it might be time to "upgrade".
I know i said spark, but i tested with my multimeter, I did think my meter was bad and quick touch to the alternator bracket and no spark
The positive terminal on the back of the alternator is the B+ terminal. You should have battery voltage there at the very least when off, and charging voltage of 13.5+ volts when on.
Were the mounts clean and allow the alternator to ground itself?
Make sure the connector is inserted 100% and the pins are not pushed back in the connector preventing continuity.
Check the fused links by the passenger battery. They will look like a burnt pop tart if they are blown.
Check your appropriate fuses in the distribution block.
Perhaps the alternator is dead already. ArmyLifer had a Bosch go out on him 2 weeks after installing it recently.
Point is, there are a lot of things to look into before you can point your finger and call it an SOB.
Come back to us with updates.
Jason, would you mind sending me a text picture the next time you put your "boot" to work? I generally use rags with blue painter's tape on the terminals. Thinking now it might be time to "upgrade".
few weeks ago my horn goes off in the middle of the night , then it stopped, found a blown fuse , replaced it and the horn sounded sick, within a couple of days it just died altogether
then my obd port and cigarette light fuse blew , No apparent reason ( as i think about it) replaced the fuse , had to get the cts3 reset so it would recognized my truck again
Now yesterday i go out to start it and my gpr has died, crank crank crank, screw it plug it in for a bit
then later the same day i no longer am charging!
Like Columbo i am starting to think something else is going on, i will get the alternator tested today, it's only a few weeks old Batteries too
tell me if you think i am crazy or i have some breadcrumbs to follow and if so where is it leading
Trending Topics
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,096
Likes: 4,705
From: Henderson, NV
so i guess i have a series of things, although i did not connect them until last night when i was having a cold one
few weeks ago my horn goes off in the middle of the night , then it stopped, found a blown fuse , replaced it and the horn sounded sick, within a couple of days it just died altogether
then my obd port and cigarette light fuse blew , No apparent reason ( as i think about it) replaced the fuse , had to get the cts3 reset so it would recognized my truck again
Now yesterday i go out to start it and my gpr has died, crank crank crank, screw it plug it in for a bit
then later the same day i no longer am charging!
Like Columbo i am starting to think something else is going on, i will get the alternator tested today, it's only a few weeks old Batteries too
tell me if you think i am crazy or i have some breadcrumbs to follow and if so where is it leading
few weeks ago my horn goes off in the middle of the night , then it stopped, found a blown fuse , replaced it and the horn sounded sick, within a couple of days it just died altogether
then my obd port and cigarette light fuse blew , No apparent reason ( as i think about it) replaced the fuse , had to get the cts3 reset so it would recognized my truck again
Now yesterday i go out to start it and my gpr has died, crank crank crank, screw it plug it in for a bit
then later the same day i no longer am charging!
Like Columbo i am starting to think something else is going on, i will get the alternator tested today, it's only a few weeks old Batteries too
tell me if you think i am crazy or i have some breadcrumbs to follow and if so where is it leading
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,346
Likes: 5,941
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
I agree with Leonard. Some wise words on shorts from Mark K. are below.
Quote source: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post19916903
and
Quote source: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post19918627
Not all of the information above pertains to your situation, but I didn't want to hack up the advice from Mark K. It can be misconstrued in some cases when a quote is edited to a point of not making sense.
Also, a quick video on how to back probe connectors as mentioned above by Mark K.
First, always probe the back of the connector. Pushing a probe into the end that makes the connection just causes new connection problems. With one probe on the wire that you're testing, touch the other probe to a good ground to check for short to ground, and to power to check for short to power.
and
Disconnect the harness from the PCM and from the transmission solenoid body connector. Now probe the back of the PCM connector and the back of the trans connector to check for continuity from one end to the other. Then with one of the probes still on either of the two connectors, touch the other probe to ground and get a reading. This should read OL. Then touch it to power, preferably the battery +terminal. This should also read OL. If you have continuity and OL to both ground and power you have a good wire.
Not all of the information above pertains to your situation, but I didn't want to hack up the advice from Mark K. It can be misconstrued in some cases when a quote is edited to a point of not making sense.
Also, a quick video on how to back probe connectors as mentioned above by Mark K.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,346
Likes: 5,941
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
What brand is the alternator you had tested that was bad and are the other 3 on the shelf the same brand?
Sounds like a good time to get your money back and grab a Leece Neville.
Sounds like a good time to get your money back and grab a Leece Neville.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 106
From: Albuquerque
napa reman they had no new ones , turns out their equipment is faulty took the replacement to advanced auto they have a brand new equipment, had to teach the guys how to set it up ( shakes head) anyhow the alternator tested good went ho Put it on cycled the gp’s and she fire right up
not sure what’s going on for worked fine this morning showing 13.2 just sitting here idling
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 107
From: BoCoMo
Is that a gasser?
I have had enough Diesel Fuel and oil in the valley for many years that you could swim in it. If it did not catch on fire after three years..... I stopped worrying about the 'heat' and/or 'spark'.... Yes, I finally tracked down and plugged all the leaks and cleaned it all up and out.
I have had enough Diesel Fuel and oil in the valley for many years that you could swim in it. If it did not catch on fire after three years..... I stopped worrying about the 'heat' and/or 'spark'.... Yes, I finally tracked down and plugged all the leaks and cleaned it all up and out.