Weak Batt help
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 166
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From: San Jose NOR*CAL
Weak Batt help
Hi all I need help
I got in my truck to come home (1992 F250 351) tonite and noticed the starter draged before it started. I shut it off and tried again same thing. I noticed my volt gauge was just in the "normal " area, and it useualy is at about 14-16 voltsor more then 1/2 in the normal. I drove home (the charge light was off.), shut her off,and tried to restart it her but the battery was too weak. I open the hood checked the bat terminals both weree a bit lose.
I am charging the battery, Im hoping it is not my Alternator?
I realy dont want to take it out tonite, what do you guys think ? If the charging light never came on( yes it works) could it be just a weak batery due to lose terminals?
One thing was when I had my A/c compresor changed I noticed that wneh I would put the heater a/c on the volt gauge would drop and thhen go bact to normal ARRRGH please help.
I got in my truck to come home (1992 F250 351) tonite and noticed the starter draged before it started. I shut it off and tried again same thing. I noticed my volt gauge was just in the "normal " area, and it useualy is at about 14-16 voltsor more then 1/2 in the normal. I drove home (the charge light was off.), shut her off,and tried to restart it her but the battery was too weak. I open the hood checked the bat terminals both weree a bit lose.
I am charging the battery, Im hoping it is not my Alternator?
I realy dont want to take it out tonite, what do you guys think ? If the charging light never came on( yes it works) could it be just a weak batery due to lose terminals?
One thing was when I had my A/c compresor changed I noticed that wneh I would put the heater a/c on the volt gauge would drop and thhen go bact to normal ARRRGH please help.
Last edited by sleepysal; Dec 22, 2004 at 08:20 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 941
Likes: 4
The second-gen alternator used in these trucks has limited low-speed output. With a good alternator, good, tight battery cables, and the truck at idle, and all the accessories off, you should see 14+ volts on the stock guage (a little above halfway).
After that, you can turn on the headlights OR the A/C blower and the voltage should stay put. But if you turn on BOTH the voltage will dip. At least it does on my truck.
The third-gen alternator used in 1996 and beyond fixes several issues. It has at least double the low-speed output. It has 130 amps +/- of full RPM output. It has a proper post-style high-current output connector instead of the failure-prone parallel spade lugs.
You can upgrade from a second-gen to a third-gen fairly easily. This is a good upgrade to consider if you favor audio amplifiers, light bars, electric fans, or other power-hog accessories.
After that, you can turn on the headlights OR the A/C blower and the voltage should stay put. But if you turn on BOTH the voltage will dip. At least it does on my truck.
The third-gen alternator used in 1996 and beyond fixes several issues. It has at least double the low-speed output. It has 130 amps +/- of full RPM output. It has a proper post-style high-current output connector instead of the failure-prone parallel spade lugs.
You can upgrade from a second-gen to a third-gen fairly easily. This is a good upgrade to consider if you favor audio amplifiers, light bars, electric fans, or other power-hog accessories.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 155
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From: Alaska
Try testing the battery after you charge it. Some auto stores can test your charge system for free. If you have a volt meter you can check to see if there is around 14 volts at the battery when it is running. It might just be that the loose conections weren't charging the battery enough. You may find that just tightening the conections will fix it. Good luck
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 166
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From: San Jose NOR*CAL
did a quick charge on bat , put it in strted right up but still at about 8.5 volts. I took alternator out took it to auto zone and it was bad got new one tested out at14 volts it is now in and charging at about 14 volts on gauge YES!!!! thanks now to fix the vacumlines that broke when I removed my alt. , also sorry if I posted in wrong fourm my bad.
