Hello, I hope this is the correct forum. I have a 2002 F250 V10, 155,000 miles. The red battery light came on while driving, all dash gauges dropped, no radio, but truck seems to run just fine. No overheating or smells. There is also a odd noise coming from under the hood directly in front of the driver. The sound is random while driving... happens 2 - 3 times, sometimes in quick succession then nothing for several minutes, then just once, but it keeps happening. The sound is kind of like in the Star Wars movies when the two light sabers come in contact with each other.
Any suggestions....? Thanks in advance.... Amy

 

The alternator and its operation need to be checked ASAP! I'd also check the existing battery for its condition. Parts don't tend to make noise without something problematic causing it.

 

This just happened to me last week, same symptoms.. I was logging for another reason so it worked out that I found the issue right then. The alternator reg/rec went bad and was over charging, almost 17 volts.

Hope that helps..

 

Yes, thanks! Had AAA come out today as this morning the truck was DEAD. They checked the battery, got it charged and got it running, but he said it was overcharging. So I think the alternator is bad. I don't understand why it was dead this morning though. Now if I can just figure out that weird noise I'll be set. Neighbor thinks the noise is a bad bearing.

 

Do you hear any squealing or grinding from the alternator while running?

Battery was likely dead from the alternator not charging it.

 

Well, the word grinding is interesting... like I said in the original post, the noise is kind of like two Star Wars light sabres making contact (assuming you know that noise). Or, like tires that are too fat rubbing on the inside wheel well making a turn, except not turning and the noise is.... faster. The noise comes and goes randomly and usually only lasts 1 second, but yesterday there was one that lasted 3-4 seconds and seems to come from directly in front of the driver,.... and if your foot is on the brake you can feel a vibration. I don't notice that road bumps have anything to do with it. Taking it to mechanic today. ~ Amy

 

Sounds like the ABS pump was misfiring.

Weird electrical things happen when the system supply voltage is wrong. Get the alternator issue fixed first and, once the system's supply voltage is verified to be correct, then check to see if the odd noise comes back (or not).

 

After researching the weird intermittent/random noise I found a YT video that sounds exactly like the noise, and it's coming from the same location under the hood. Problem: Vacuum system for 4wd losing suction and gears start to engage causing the grinding. Well, see.....
Here is the link to the noise the truck is making and what was done to fix it.....

 

Link to the video...

 

For a 2002 V10, 2WD = No vacuum, 4x4 = vacuum. So if you had a leak, or it depressurized, or the system failed, it would fail safe to 2wd unless you had the hubs locked. The system is really just a nice to have so you don't have to manually lock the hubs.

From your description, I think @projectSHO89 nailed it... ABS module doing some funky things. When the ABS turns on you feel it in the brake pedal as a vibrational/sinusoidal pushback. Replace the alternator first.

 

Since the F-Super Duty didn't have IWE hubs, that can be ruled out. They use a pulse-vacuum actuation system.

 

The alternator has been replaced and no more dead battery ..... but there is a high pitched but soft constant noise... goes faster when I step on the gas.

 

Coming from where? Audible from where?

 

....... Coming from the engine compartment..... Audible from the cab.

 

Park the truck, open the hood, and listen more closely.

Until you identify the origin of the noise, it can't be fixed except, perhaps, by shotgunning every possibility. This ain't "diagnosis by osmosis", after all.