Battery Light
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 84
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From: Belton, MO
Battery Light
The "voltage meter" thread got me thinking about a problem that I had a week or so ago. It was a rainy morning and the truck had been running for a few minutes. At several stop signs the battery light came on as the RPMs were decreasing. I didn't have headlights on. Once I was on the highway I never saw the light again and I have not seen it since. As I recall their was nothing unusual with the voltage meter. Do you think the moisture had anything to do with it? Could there have been a temporary bad connection with the batteries? Do you think my batteries or alternator could be going bad? Maybe there is nothing to worry about since it has not happened again? Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
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From: Denton,TX
It could mean that the alternator wasn't charging properly. You can usually get your batteries tested for free, so get them checked first. Same for the alternator, you should be able to get it tested at someplace like NAPA for problems.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,873
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From: Phx, AZ
Dan,
How old are your batteries< How cold is it where you live? The cold lowers the amps in your truck and also the cold forces the engine to draw more too. So if your batteries are getting a few years on them these two problems working together could cause your alternator to be working harder at lower RPMs get the batteries tested first that is a freebie, and they are cheaper to replace then the alt. too. Good luck
Fire Rooster
How old are your batteries< How cold is it where you live? The cold lowers the amps in your truck and also the cold forces the engine to draw more too. So if your batteries are getting a few years on them these two problems working together could cause your alternator to be working harder at lower RPMs get the batteries tested first that is a freebie, and they are cheaper to replace then the alt. too. Good luck
Fire Rooster
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 84
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From: Belton, MO
I have a 99 and the batteries have been replaced once before I bought it. They should be 1-2 years old. The temperatures have been pretty warm recently. The truck has been in the garage at night and the low temps were maybe 40. I will get the batteries tested next time it is convenient. Thanks.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 278
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From: Louisville, KY
Advance Auto Parts has a machine that will test the starting, charging, and battery system all while on the vehicle; the machine is called a BEAR tester, mention this by name or they will try to take the easy way out and test your vehicle with the small handheld tester which is good but not accurate. The best way to test an alternator is to take it off the vehicle and have it bench tested.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 278
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From: Louisville, KY
Originally Posted by Fire Rooster
Your lucky we replace batteries every two years in Phx. The heat is the other killer.
Fire Rooster
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Phx, AZ
Farmer philco
Thanks for the advice I will look into them. Yeah this heat is a battery nightmare. For the most part most people have terrrible luck with the them. Even the manufactures state that they give you a 5 year free replacement unless you are in AZ then they only give you a 2 yr unlimited
. I'll try your advice and go with exide next time. Thanks
Fire Rooster
Thanks for the advice I will look into them. Yeah this heat is a battery nightmare. For the most part most people have terrrible luck with the them. Even the manufactures state that they give you a 5 year free replacement unless you are in AZ then they only give you a 2 yr unlimited
. I'll try your advice and go with exide next time. ThanksFire Rooster
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From: Louisville, KY
Go with a large national chain whenever the warranty comes into the question. I am a commercial account manager for a national auto parts chain and if the customer has the slightest possibility of complaining the warranty issue is null and void and then it becomes a customer service issue.
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From: Louisville, KY
I did a ride-along in phoenix while back in the south mountain district and another district but I cannot remember the name. It was non stop and exciting. Made our first arrest not 2 minutes in to the shift
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From: Phx, AZ
When you are a high power attorney and makin the big bucks come back to Phx and ride with FD we'll show you busy. I work on the busiest truck in the state and # 32 in the nation. Fire Fighten 42. Look me up.
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