1997 F150 Charging Problem

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Apr 13, 2004 | 10:01 AM

uncbeatncsu

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1997 F150 Charging Problem

I Have A 97 F150, Battery Goes Dead When I Drive It. Have Replaced The Alternator And A New Battery, Same Thing Happens. How Can I Trace Down The Problem? Thks

Apr 13, 2004 | 03:27 PM

ofcbob

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I have a '99 F250 Light Duty and have had charging problems 2 times. Both times it was very difficult to locate using standard testing protocols but both times it turned out to be faulty/defective fuses in the Power Distribution Unit (underhood fuse panel). The first time either through a defect or unusual wear the actual blade of the fuse detached from the fusible link so that the fuse did not appear blown and would sometimes conduct power but not full power. The second time, last month, it was the replacement fuse from before and it had a flaw/defect/failure but not in the fusible link area. The first time the problem was serious enough that by the time it was solved the abs and airbag systems were no longer functional due to lack of power. The second time enough power was flowing through the flaw that I had only minor symptoms.

You might spend the $1 or so and replace this fuse (20A minifuse) before you put too much time/effort/money into other remedies. If memory serves correctly it is fuse #11 in the PDU fuse block. If that is not correct I can rummage through my papers and find exactly which one it is.