Charging Problems - I think??
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Elverson, PA
Charging Problems - I think??
OK - here's the deal. I have an Autometer Volt gauge, that until a week ago, always read right at 14 volts when the truck was warmed up - didn't matter if I had the lights on, or a trailer hooked up running those lights too.
NOW - it's reading between about 12.5 - 13.5 volts when I'm driving. If I turn the lights on - that's when it wants to stay down around 12. It hasn't gone below 12 volts at any time - and the truck is still starting fine... but I know something isn't right. O yea - and I don't have the factory battery idiot light coming on either??
Any ideas?? I REALLY wanna fix this before I get stranded somewhere, or I have to drive a long distance with my lights on at night or something. O yea - I've used my milti-meter to verify that my Volt gauge is reading right - at the batteries I have pretty much the same reading - just to make sure it isn't a gauge issue...
I'm not to good with the electrical side of things - and I don't really have the cash right now to just take it to someone and say "fix it"
SO.. any ideas?
NOW - it's reading between about 12.5 - 13.5 volts when I'm driving. If I turn the lights on - that's when it wants to stay down around 12. It hasn't gone below 12 volts at any time - and the truck is still starting fine... but I know something isn't right. O yea - and I don't have the factory battery idiot light coming on either??
Any ideas?? I REALLY wanna fix this before I get stranded somewhere, or I have to drive a long distance with my lights on at night or something. O yea - I've used my milti-meter to verify that my Volt gauge is reading right - at the batteries I have pretty much the same reading - just to make sure it isn't a gauge issue...
I'm not to good with the electrical side of things - and I don't really have the cash right now to just take it to someone and say "fix it"
SO.. any ideas?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Elverson, PA
Thanks guys - I guess I will be looking for an alternator. Is there anywhere special to get one that is better than another - or just head to my local autoparts store for a standard replacement??
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,816
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From: River Valley AR
I have a local rebuilder that I use. He has always done a good job but no matter what I bring him it's $80. It's not as quick as getting a reman unit at the parts store, but it's alot cheaper. He does starters, alternators, speedometers, and voltage regulators.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Elverson, PA
Alright - I guess I am ALL set to go. 
The new alternator is on - can't believe my local parts store had one in stock.... (maybe that tells ya something 
) - and everything seems good. As soon as I started the truck - my Volt gauge jumped right up to 14 volts. ALSO - when I went to take the old one off - it was ROASTING hot - couldn't touch it even after the truck being shut off, with the hood open, for at least a 1/2 hour. After I had the bolts loose - I had to wear my heavy leather welding gloves to pick it off the mount - and it was hot even through the gloves... SO I guess I'm asking - is that what can happen when one goes bad?? I just want to make sure there is nothing else wrong with my rig - summer vacation is coming soon!!
Thanks again guys!! Once again FTE to the rescue!
The new alternator is on - can't believe my local parts store had one in stock.... (maybe that tells ya something ) - and everything seems good. As soon as I started the truck - my Volt gauge jumped right up to 14 volts. ALSO - when I went to take the old one off - it was ROASTING hot - couldn't touch it even after the truck being shut off, with the hood open, for at least a 1/2 hour. After I had the bolts loose - I had to wear my heavy leather welding gloves to pick it off the mount - and it was hot even through the gloves... SO I guess I'm asking - is that what can happen when one goes bad?? I just want to make sure there is nothing else wrong with my rig - summer vacation is coming soon!! Thanks again guys!! Once again FTE to the rescue!
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 13,653
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From: Cabot, Arkansas
I've heard one or two horror stories about folk's trucks catching fire because of that alternator......
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From: China Grove, TX
my alternator went on my '95 and it was the same way at Cat_man's, scorchin. it would run on a jump for like 5 minutes, but as soon as you took the cables off, it would die soon after, and you guessed it, you coulda fried and egg on that sucker....new alternator fixed it.
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From: Elverson, PA
Yea now that my old one is off and laying on my shop floor - the case is actually discolored it got so hot!! That thing probably would have GLOWED at night!! If I didn't have my Autometer gauge - I'd still not know - until my truck was burnt to the ground... that's scary!! I knew I got all those gauges for some reason!! That volt gauge just paid for itself - MANY times over!!