charging problems
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Outer Banks, NC
charging problems
I have a 89 F350 7.3 will charge up when driving but will drain down when it sits
I haved changed the alternator and it worked fine for a few days but started to do it again any suggestions
I haved changed the alternator and it worked fine for a few days but started to do it again any suggestions
Last edited by DaMole; Feb 28, 2006 at 10:03 PM.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 3
From: Ladner, British Columbia
Check your batteries, cables and connections. I recently upgraded the aftermarket 800 CCA batteries to 1000 CCA batteries and replaced my +ve battery cable on the passenger side in my recently aquired 91 F350. It made a huge difference to the way the truck starts now.
800 CCA batteries are not enough, especially for cold starting below 32 deg.F Although these batteries turn the truck over they do not provide as much compression required to get good diesel ignition during cold starting. Furthermore, long cranking times will start to burn out the starter and melt the cables.
If your batteries are older than 8 years and anything less than 1000 CCA. I would focus on that based on what I have learned recently on my 91 F350.
Also do a leak test to see if anything is draining power when the truck is shut down. (Pull the negative terminals and touch the poles to check for sparking or use an Amp Meter between the cable and the -ve pole to check for stary current)
Check the cables for burned insulation at the clamp connections. Once a cable has been burned it now has a higher resistance and lets less amps flow to the starter.
I would agree with Dave, start by reviewing your batteries, cables and connections, very common culprits on older truck unfortunately.
Sebastian.
800 CCA batteries are not enough, especially for cold starting below 32 deg.F Although these batteries turn the truck over they do not provide as much compression required to get good diesel ignition during cold starting. Furthermore, long cranking times will start to burn out the starter and melt the cables.
If your batteries are older than 8 years and anything less than 1000 CCA. I would focus on that based on what I have learned recently on my 91 F350.
Also do a leak test to see if anything is draining power when the truck is shut down. (Pull the negative terminals and touch the poles to check for sparking or use an Amp Meter between the cable and the -ve pole to check for stary current)
Check the cables for burned insulation at the clamp connections. Once a cable has been burned it now has a higher resistance and lets less amps flow to the starter.
I would agree with Dave, start by reviewing your batteries, cables and connections, very common culprits on older truck unfortunately.
Sebastian.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,638
Likes: 1
From: Manitoba
Try disconnecting the positive cables and put a test light across from the post to the cable, if the light is on, start pulling the fuses until the light goes out. That will give you the items on that fuse that are still on so check your VOM. Do check the tail lights, dash light, under hood light and things like that first, the radio will have a keep alive draw.
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