Charging problems...351W
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Burkburnett, Texas
Charging problems...351W
Finally got my son's truck back together, running, and inspected and tagged. It was running great, until I started having charging problems. I replaced the alternator, ext. regulator, and even the battery. The voltmeter was showing a little less than 13V. Today, the voltmeter dropped below 12V when I turned on the heater and headlights. I swapped everything back out, and it read the same. When I put jumper cables on it to jump it off, the voltmeter showed almost 14V--just where it should be! Pulled the jumper cables off, still shows below 12V. Not sure what to do now besides maybe totally rewiring the charging system or hooking up a one-wire altenator. Any help would be appreciated--especially if you can tell me where all the wires from the regulator and altenator are supposed to go. Thanks in advance for the advice...
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Burkburnett, Texas
Thanks RJ, I really didn't think about the ground wire because the cable running from the negative side of the battery to the back of the intake is new. However, the other ground wire is ran to the firewall instead of the frame... I'll check it out tomorrow!
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 272
Likes: 37
From: Chicago
not charging?
I had same kind of problems with a older ford charging systems
we did not hooked up the idiot light on the old 60-80s ford voltage reg,
the systems needs the back feed from light to energize charging system
sounds simple , but it worked
joe
we did not hooked up the idiot light on the old 60-80s ford voltage reg,
the systems needs the back feed from light to energize charging system
sounds simple , but it worked
joe
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 272
Likes: 37
From: Chicago
2 more ideas
make sure the idiot light goes from the "I" on volt reg to +12 on ing switch
not to ground
also
if you used the old wires from a parts engine
check the FUSELINK
you can not always tell they are bad
use a light or meter to test
most auto parts stores will test Alt
and voltage reg are cheep
Joe
not to ground
also
if you used the old wires from a parts engine
check the FUSELINK
you can not always tell they are bad
use a light or meter to test
most auto parts stores will test Alt
and voltage reg are cheep
Joe
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 673
Likes: 1
From: San Diego
Pootscratch,
are you checking the voltage with a volt meter at the back of the Alt, or with the dash mounted gauge? Id check to make sure the gauge, and a volt meter are at least reading the same. If thats the case, and youve made sure all your connections are secure, Id have the Alt. tested.
Rich
are you checking the voltage with a volt meter at the back of the Alt, or with the dash mounted gauge? Id check to make sure the gauge, and a volt meter are at least reading the same. If thats the case, and youve made sure all your connections are secure, Id have the Alt. tested.
Rich
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Burkburnett, Texas
I am using both the guage mounted voltmeter, and a hand held tester. With the truck running, it reads 11.69V. However, I installed the idiot light from the I terminal to ground; so I'll have to move it to a +12 on the ignition switch... Sure hope that does the trick. Thanks again for the input. I now have 2 trucks down--both with wiring problems--this stinks!
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Burkburnett, Texas
Thanks for everyone's help on this. I am happy to report that it was the idiot light all this time. When I installed it back in the system, I grounded it out, instead of giving it a source for power! Thanks again for everyone's help! Now it's time to work on mama's list...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 37
From: Minnesota
That would do it the power from the idiot light turns the alternator on. Make sure you hook that light up to an a switched power source on / off with the truck otherwise you will constantly be powering the alternator.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Improv101
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
11
Dec 1, 2024 10:06 PM
Dan V
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
7
Mar 24, 2015 10:25 PM
12valveEx
Excursion - King of SUVs
10
Aug 16, 2013 08:24 PM